Look Here for DBacks New Address

The Diamondbacks story of improvements to their current residence at 401 E. Jefferson isn’t where the focus needs to be. I’d put the teams chances of remaining downtown at much less than 50-50. I’ve been talking about their wish for a new ballpark for several months now, this isn’t “Breaking News” stuff.

Go program your map quest to
8101 E. McKellips Rd. Scottsdale, 85257(Scottsdale Drive-In) or try south of McKellips and 92nd street up against the 202(It’s a big hole right now). These two locations along with some others(Talking Stick Resort area) is where the story needs to focus…

For context, go look at the City of Atlanta. They opened Turner Field two years before the Diamondbacks started operations at their present location. The Braves are moving out of that stadium at the end of this season. Rather than pour big money into an older facility, Atlanta is going with a new ballpark. Progressive…

The Diamondbacks stance that their current home is “too big” is the same as you or I looking at the cost of a maintaining the biggest house on the block. It takes a lot of resources to maintain and repair a facility the size of the one that they are presently in. Shrink down that size from 50-thousand to 35 thousand and you’ll save money on the bottom line. Taking out seats at 401 E. Jefferson would mean taking the roof off for the remodel. I’ve been told(not from the Diamondbacks) that the cost to do that would be $300-million dollars. Makes no sense to pay that type of money just to makeover an aging facility…

I believe that if you look at the growth of our Valley over the last twenty years you’d find another reason why it makes sense for the team to move out to the area I listed earlier. The epicenter of the Valley is in the general area of the 101 and Red Mountain 202 crossing where you have Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and the Salt River land intersecting. I think if you look at the Diamondbacks attendance numbers Monday-Thursdays you’d find that they aren’t getting fans to come to the ballpark in the numbers that they need. Being closer in proximity to where the Valley is growing fastest in population makes much more business sense.

The wildcard in all of this are the Salt River and Gila River Tribes. They have the land and have already shown that they aren’t afraid to cut deals with our pro sports teams. Look at the name on the building the Coyotes skate in, Suns dribble up the court on, Diamondbacks hit a ball on in Spring Training. Downtown is in for a massive battle to keep everything in place. Add to that, when(not if) Anthony Leblanc and the Coyotes partner with Arizona State to build a facility at 1125 E. Rio Solado Parkway, Tempe(Karsten Golf Course), you then have to look at what Robert Sarver is going to try to do to get a new Suns Arena at 33 S. 3rd Street(Northeast corner of 3rd Street and Jefferson).  Our pro soccer franchise, Arizona United, is looking at a few places to build a soccer stadium. Phoenix Greyhound Park(3801 E. Washington) or land at Veterans Memorial Coliseum are on their list. Would the Tribes offer up sweet land deals for the teams? I certainly think they could. Would we hear any gnashing of teeth if teams move around the Valley without a cost to taxpayers? I don’t think we’d hear a peep. There-in is the hurdle…

I understand where the Diamondbacks are coming from. I really do. I was interested and a bit surprised to see the amount of backlash that Team President Derrick Hall took on Thursday. Most of it undeserved. But, when a team hasn’t won much in recent years,  and they pay one player over $200-million dollars, most aren’t going to support the team wanting/needing a new home. Derrick hasn’t been in the middle of a controversial story quite like this one. It will be interesting to see how he handles the coming months/years because I am sure that this isn’t going to be an easy road politically…