Tempe Diablo Stadium (1968) is the third oldest ballpark in the Cactus League after Hi Corbett Field (1937) and Phoenix Municipal Stadium (1964). The ballpark originally hosted the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969. The Pilots became the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of the 1970 spring season. The Brewers played at Diablo through 1972 before moving to Sun City. The ballpark sat empty for four years before another expansion team, the Seattle Mariners, arrived in 1977. The Mariners left after the 1992 season for a new ballpark in Peoria. The Angels moved their spring camp from Palm Springs to Tempe in 1993 and begin their 18th season there this year.
While the original seating bowl and underbelly of the stadium remain, the press box, offices, suites and concourse structures were all replaced during a 1992 $5.8 million renovation. A grand staircase and minor league complex were added during another $20 million facelift in 2006.
Diablo Stadium FAQs:
The Angels 16-game home schedule starts on Thursday, March 4 against the Chicago White Sox.
Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 W. Alameda Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Capacity: 9,558 (including 2,600 lawn seating)
Dimensions: LF 340’; CF 420’; RF 360’
Tips: Have your camera ready as you walk up to the park. You will want a shot in front of the grand staircase leading up to the gates. It is an impressive sight and easily the most attractive entrance of any Cactus League park…….Bring lots of sun block to the park—shade is sparse…..Hot tickets include Sunday, March 14 against the Cubs, Monday, March 15 vs. the Dodgers, and Wednesday, March 17 vs. the Diamondbacks. They may even have green beer for that one. It’s St. Patrick’s Day. If you don’t mind missing church, the Angels play at home every Sunday all spring, four games in all.
Angels in 2009:
Regular Season: 97-65, 1st place, AL West; ERA 4.45; BA .285; HR 173
Spring Training; 26-8; ERA 4.42; BA .315; HR 44
Did you know…..
The Angels played their first-ever game at Diablo Stadium on March 13, 1969. They were the visiting team against the expansion Seattle Pilots. The Halos lost 7-6 in front of a “crowd” of 790 fans. Former Angel Don Mincher, who was the first choice in the Pilots in the expansion draft, went 2-2 with two walks and drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
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