Scottsdale Stadium is a baseball field located in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. The stadium was built in 1992 and holds 12,000 people. It is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants.
Scottsdale was the home of the Phoenix Firebirds of the Pacific Coast League from 1992 until 1997, when the team moved to Fresno, California, and became the Grizzlies, in order to make room for the National League's Arizona Diamondbacks, who began play in 1998 and the Arizona Centennials of the Freedom Pro Baseball League in 2012. Scottsdale also hosted the Valley Vipers of the independent Western Baseball League in 2000, the only season of that team's existence. Arizona United SC of the United Soccer League played at Scottsdale in 2015.
The stadium underwent a $23.1 million renovation in 2006. In return, the San Francisco Giants agreed to play at the stadium for an additional 20 years, through 2025, with an option to extend the lease to 2035.
Funding for the project included:
- $13.3 million from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA)
- $6.67 million from Maricopa County Stadium District (MCSD) funds forwarded to AZSTA by the MCSD
- $3.1 million from the City of Scottsdale
Key renovations to Scottsdale Stadium included:
- Construction of one full practice field and one half practice field east of the stadium
- Expansion of the Giants Stadium Clubhouse
- Creation of new deck and terrace seating in the right field berm area
- Construction of a walkway connecting the left field berm and the right field berm area
Key renovations to Indian School Park included:
- Renovation of four full practice fields and one half practice field
- Expansion of the Giants Minor League Clubhouse
- Reconstructed batting cages
The Giants hold their major league and minor league training operation at the two facilities. Scottsdale Stadium is consistently one of the top attended venues in Arizona's Cactus League. The Scottsdale Charros organize and promote San Francisco spring training in the city.
The stadium is also host of the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, and hosts the Fall League's championship game at the end of November. During the summer the stadium is home the Arizona League Giants of the Arizona League. The stadium is also available to rent and hosts numerous parties, events and meetings throughout the year.
The stadium was built on the site of the old Scottsdale Stadium, built in 1956, which also hosted the Giants as well as the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's. The ballpark was constructed in less than a year to avoid having the Giants play their spring games at another location.
In March 2006, the stadium hosted three games from Pool B of the World Baseball Classic.
- March 7, 2006
- Canada 11, South Africa 8
- March 8, 2006
- Mexico 10, South Africa 4
- March 10, 2006
- United States 17, South Africa 0
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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