The new AZ Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies stadium, Salt River Field at Talking Stick, is huge success.

My team at work was fortunate enough to be approved to attend one of the final spring training games for the AZ Diamondbacks in their new stadium at Salt River Field. The D-Backs were playing the Cleveland Indians and it was another perfect Arizona day for a baseball game.

I again had the opportunity to sit in the Lawn Seats … with views and seating confort that can’t be beat. This time we were in the left field area. The game was anounced as a sellout with over 11, 700 in attendance. Salt River Field’s capacity is officially listed at 11, 000. The largest crowd in attendance this past Cactus League season was recorded on opening day with 12, 514 fans showing up on February 26, 2011.

As I mentioned in a previous post, this new stadium has a big ballpark feel to it. There are 7,000 seats in the grandstands and room for 4,000 more in the lawn seats. Beautiful views of the Phoenix valley are seen from every angle inside the stadium. The McDowell Range is in the distance in the above shot.

At this point I had just left my team to visit the FOOOOD areas … where I ate ONE hot dog (which are the best ballpark dogs in the Cactus League) and a ginormous order of nachos appropriately titled, “The Works.” (Disclaimer: this was a few weeks BEFORE my 90 Day Challenge to lose 20 pounds).

Here’s the view I enjoyed those NACHOS from … notice the shade that is slowly making its way over the crowd. According to numerous accounts I have read, the stadium was literally designed so that most, if not all the seats will be shaded as the afternoon progresses. The architecture was designed with this in mind for this particular time of year. If only you SNOW birds, Chicagoans in particular, could handle a little spring sun, we Valleyites could work on our tans : ).

Here’s a shot of the happy and grateful team. The success of the team builder is noted on our faces … ALL smiles! Even the guy in back was having a great time, throwing in the peace sign.

Unfortunately, the Cleveland Indians prevailed over the D-Backs this day. I felt good as my FIRST ever MLB game was in Cleveland — back in the mid-60s.

I think I speak for all the attendees this 2011 Spring Training season, the new field for the D-Backs and Rockies is the jewell in all of major league baseball for a spring training game.