Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Scottsdale Stadium is a baseball park renowned for its rich history and notable features. Originally opened in 1956, the stadium underwent an expansion in 1992, resulting in its current capacity of 12,000 spectators. Designed by the esteemed architectural firm Populous, known for its work on the Baltimore Orioles’ Camden Yards, the stadium offers a remarkable sporting experience.
Since 1984, Scottsdale Stadium has served as the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. During its early years, the stadium could accommodate a modest 4,721 attendees. However, with the expansion, the facility transformed into a state-of-the-art venue, hosting the Giants’ training sessions and exhibition games during the spring season.
The stadium gained further recognition when it hosted three games of the 2006 World Baseball Classic, solidifying its status as an esteemed baseball venue.
The construction of the current Scottsdale Stadium took place on the site of the original stadium, which operated from 1956. Over the years, the original stadium had been home to various Major League Baseball teams for their spring training activities. The Baltimore Orioles (1956-1958), Boston Red Sox (1959-1965), Chicago Cubs (1967-1978), and Oakland Athletics (1979-1983) all utilized the old Scottsdale Stadium before the Giants made it their training base in 1984. The construction of the new stadium was completed in under a year, with a total cost of $7 million.
In 1992, a significant incident occurred at Scottsdale Stadium when Angels pitcher Matt Keough was struck by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout during spring training. Due to the stadium’s proximity to the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborne Medical Center across the street, Keough’s life was saved, as he received immediate medical attention.
The stadium underwent a substantial renovation in 2006, amounting to a total investment of $23.1 million. The renovations encompassed several enhancements, including the addition of a new team store, expanded clubhouse, baseball training and treatment room, batting tunnel, centerfield entrance, Charro Pavilion, and practice fields adjacent to the stadium. In exchange for these improvements, the San Francisco Giants agreed to extend their lease and continue playing at Scottsdale Stadium for an additional 20 years, until 2025, with the possibility of extending the lease further to 2035.