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Tempe Diablo
Stadium / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
| Year Opened | 1969; renovated in 1993 and 2006 |
| Capacity | 9,785 |
| Dimensions | 340L, 420C, 360R |
| Playing Surface | Grass |
| Address/Directions | Take Broadway Street exit off I-10 (coming from either direction); travel west on Broadway to 48th Street; turn left; Tempe Diablo Stadium is 1/2 mile on the left. Enter ballpark by turning left on Alameda. |
| Written by: | Kevin Reichard |
| Rating |  |
The entrance to the ballpark was updated in 2006.
The best ballparks in Arizona for Cactus League baseball are by and large the old ones -- like Scottsdale Stadium, Phoenix Municipal Stadium and Hi Corbett Field. All have been significantly updated through the years, but they still retain a historic charm.
Chief among these older ballparks is Tempe Diablo Stadium, currently the spring home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It opened in 1968 and was the spring home of the Seattle Mariners between 1977 and 1993; it was then renovated and then became the spring home of the Angels. When it opened, one of the best things about the ballpark was its scenic location next to the buttes of Tempe; that's still true today despite some dramatic renovations to the ballpark.
The buttes dominate past the outfield wall.
Tempe Diablo Stadium sits in an industrial area off I-10; there are no amenities near the ballpark and nothing to do except take in the action. That's OK for the thousands of Angels fans making their way to Arizona for spring training: the ballpark is comfy and intimate, with the berm -- a great addition to the ballpark -- a popular spot for the college crowd. Some attend spring training for fun in the sun, but Tempe Diablo Stadium attracts the hardcore Angels fans: a spring game features a sea of red in the stands and plenty of cheers for the "home" team.
Like every other
spring-training venue, player entrances are
dominated by autograph hounds.
The ballpark is set up with a familiar concourse in back of the seating bowl, with a structure containing suites and the press above. The concourse extends past third base to a corner picnic area and berm wrapping around the foul pole, extending to the batters' eye. The left-field corner also features a large grill -- be prepared for some long lines -- and a picnic area.
A new picnic area was added in 2006.
One byproduct of the 2006 renovation was the addition of minor-league training facilities; previously the minor-league Angels squads had trained at Gene Autry Park, located a distance away.
There is nothing spectacular about Tempe Diablo Stadium: no signature ballpark item save perhaps the many steps leading up the concourse (indeed; the front of the ballpark does resemble a bunker). Still, for the Angel faithful and sun worshippers, it's a comfortable, intimate place to watch a ballgame.
Concessions
A decent selection of beer is available,
including Gordon Biersch, Sam Adams, Blue Moon and
Leinenkugel's, of all things (no, we're not quite
sure how a Sunset Wheat brewed in the north woods
of Wisconsin translates to the multicultural crowd
at an Angels spring game). The grill features
burgers, brats and hot dogs, while other
concession stands offer Biersch garlic fries and
other ballpark staples.
Parking
Attending a game at Tempe Diablo Stadium can
be a nightmare, even if you arrive early. There's
basically only one entrance into the ballpark: S.
48th St. off Broadway and I-10. You can try
approaching from the south and making your way
through side streets, but we doubt that will be
help you much.
There is limited street parking in the area (and the cops are certainly out patrolling for scofflaws, particularly on weekdays when local businesses need their parking lots), so most game attendees will park in one of the two parking lots straddling the ballpark.
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