Phoenix Municipal Stadium opened in 1964. In the Cactus League, only Hi Corbett Field in Tucson (1937) is older. The San Francisco Giants played at Muni from 1964-81 and then swapped sites with the Oakland A’s who had been training in Scottsdale. The A’s have been at Muni ever since.
The Pacific Coast League Phoenix Giants/Firebirds also called Mini home from 1966-91 before following their parent club to Scottsdale. At one time, Phoenix Municipal Stadium had the largest seating capacity in the Cactus League, now only the Brewers Maryvale park is smaller. Muni and Hi Corbett are the only Cactus League parks that don’t offer lawn seating. Originally built for $891,000, the ballpark underwent a $4 million renovation in 1995. A later renovation enclosed the open-air press box.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium FAQs:
The Athletics 15-game home schedule starts on Friday March 5 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium
5999 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Capacity: 8,776
Dimensions: LF 345’; CF 410’, RF 345’
Tips: The A’s lone home night game is Wednesday, March 24 against the Dodgers. Start time is 7:35 p.m. Get your tickets early for this one……Be careful when you choose a Saturday game—two of the thee Saturday games at Muni are split squads for the A’s, and the March 20 contest against the Cubs is a split squad for both teams.
Athletics in 2009:
Regular Season: 75-87. 4th place, AL West; ERA 4.26, BA .262; HR 135.
Spring Training: 17-18; ERA 5.56; BA .279; HR 28
The Muni experience……
The pre-1990s days of laid back spring training are gone forever. The closest you can get now without driving to Tucson is an A’s game at Phoenix Muni. The bullpens are still on the sides down the lines and you can reach out and touch the players. When you go to get a hot dog, you can still see the game from the concession stands which are above the bleacher seats. The park is not luxurious, but it is full of history. Willie Mays hit the first home run there. And you’ll love the atmosphere. Longtime public address announcer Mark Anderson has a distinctive style and the music he plays between innings is unlike that of any other ballpark. Nothing beats fun at the old ballpark, and you won’t find any more of it anywhere else in the Cactus League.
For more on the Athletics check out : OAKLAND A'S EXAMINER
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