Arizona: The new mecca for baseball?

First of all, I just want to say that the D’backs are very lucky to have Derrick Hall as a part of this organization. It is clear that Derrick not only loves the Diamondbacks, but he loves the state of Arizona as well. I believe Hall is a great spokesperson for this team and the league as a whole.

Derrick cheering on the Snakes. No surprise there!

Anyway, when I was watching the WBC Classic last week, Derrick Hall did an interview with MLB Network after the brawl between Canada and Mexico. Hall had some good points about the safety of the ballpark and baseball as a whole in the Valley. It got me thinking: Is Arizona a hot bed for baseball? I’m starting to think it is. Scottsdale is home to arguably one of the most beautiful spring training parks in the league at Salt River Fields. If you head west on the 10 towards Glendale, you end up at my favorite spring ballpark; Camelback Ranch. Chase Field has transformed itself into the clean, sedona red-splashed ballpark that we see in downtown Phoenix today. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the league in general are doing a great job at keeping these ballparks fairly active all year round. From spring training to the Arizona Fall League, chances are that there is a game going on in central Arizona. In an interview earlier this off season, Hall said:

"“It’s going to be nice to host Team USA at Salt River Fields. To me, it’s like an open-house sales opportunity for us, showcasing what I think is the best Spring Training facility to players who have never been there. Chase Field is going to be home to the big games.”"

It’s a great move to make all of this baseball so accessible to fans from across the world. To me, a spring training game is still one of the best bargains around. There is a vivid trickle-down effect of baseball in this state. Due to the climate, baseball is being played all year and by all different ages. From T-ball to junior college, baseball is being played. If you add Arizona State and GCU baseball to the mix, it can be a very fun year. Want to travel to Tucson? You’ve got U of A baseball to watch there. Let’s not forget, the wildcats are the defending NCAA champs.

Hi-Corbett Field is the new home of the Arizona Wildcats.

See what I mean? Baseball is everywhere you look in the state of Arizona and being a big baseball nerd, I like to keep it coming as much as possible. After college, my plan is to live in Arizona and the fact that all this hardball will be around me is only that much more enticing. To all of you

Arizonians?

Arizonites?

Baseball fans? Enjoy that state because I know I sure will.

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