Take me out to the ballgame: D-backs Opening Day is here

Buy me some peanuts and… a foot-long jalapeño hot dog? The Arizona Diamondbacks are gearing up for the 2019 season with new unique dining options, including the Big Jalapeño Popper Dog (which features jalapeños, cream cheese, onions, and bacon) and an All-Day Breakfast Dog (with cheddar cheese, gravy, fried eggs, and more), among many others.

In addition to these special menu items, Diamondbacks fans have plenty of other new features to get excited about throughout the season.

One of the central new offerings this season is the COX Virtual Meet and Greet. Fans who have always wanted to meet current players and past legends can now do so. Among the legendary Diamondbacks are: David Peralta, Archie Bradley, Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson, and Baxter. After electronically meeting the player of their choice, the fan will receive an autographed photograph.

The Diamondbacks are also increasing their dedication to sustainability this season. The team is introducing new synthetic grass, Shaw Sports “Batting a Thousand” Natural Turf (B1K), which is made from environmentally-friendly, natural materials. The organization estimates that the transition to a synthetic playing field will reduce water consumption by 90 percent – roughly two million gallons of water each season.

“We have a lot to look forward to in 2019, including a new playing surface, virtual meet-and-greet, and exciting new food items,” D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall said. “With the new playing surface, we are able to control the climate inside Chase Field better and gives us the opportunity to host non-baseball events throughout the season. Unique food items are always popular and Chef Tilder continues to cook up new ideas to enhance the dining experience year after year. Our fans take priority and we feel the additions we made this year will improve the overall fan experience at Chase Field while also making sure that D-backs games remain affordable for all fans.”

To celebrate Opening Day at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks will have special pregame events at the field, including award presentations, the ceremonial first pitch by ASU Head Basketball Coach Bobby Hurley, and a flyover by F-35s from Luke Airforce Base.

For the eleventh consecutive year, the Diamondbacks have the lowest Fan Cost Index, according to Team Marketing Report; that means that a family of four has the least expensive MLB game experience at Chase Field. Fans can rest assured that the stadium will continue to offer its affordable concessions, including $2 hot dogs, popcorn, corn dogs, and pizza.

Even those who don’t frequent baseball games have the team’s economic impact to look forward to. According to economist Elliott Pollack, the Diamondbacks have generated $7.5 billion for the state economy since the founding of the franchise through taxes from ticket sales, merchandise, lodging, concessions, and more – this represents roughly $415 million in annual revenue.

Everyone wins when the Diamondbacks season is in full-swing. Be sure to buy your tickets for Opening Day or other games throughout the season and check out these new features first-hand.