The No Bad-Hop Baseball Stadium

In a number of ways, this is a unique stadium which is host to major league baseball in the Spring, softball during the Summer, Fourth of July fireworks displays and, on at least one occasion, to the close harmony of Barbershoppers.

Opened July 10 in 1971, the stadium can accommodate 4,000. It was built on a wash near the Agua Fria river, which suggested an ideal condition for a bowl. As a result, the playing field is 23 feet below the 500-car parking lot. It boasts an excellent lighting system for night games.

The contoured aluminum seats provide enough leg room so that a famished fan can return to his seat carrying ten hot dogs, an equivalent supply of liquids, a few sacks of peanuts, and plenty of buttered popcorn, without stumbling and spilling the lot. A 30-foot screen extends in front of the stands from home plate to first and third bases, supplying ample protection from errant foul balls. Thus one can turn to his seatmate and discuss the aunt who lives in Dubuque in perfect safety.

The San Francisco Giants used Sun City Stadium in 1972 and the following year the Brewers came on the scene. Their trial season convinced the owners, and they signed a 10-year contract.

This Spring's schedule brought the world's champion Oakland Athletics, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres to Sun City. Programs and concessions were handled by local Lions Clubs, with profits going for charitable projects.

During the Summer the great affection of Sun Citians is lavished on the Sun City Saints, members of the Pacific Coast League of women's softball. They have placed as high as third in the National Softball Championships. This year the regional titular games will be played in the Sun City Stadium.

There is also a new addition to the stadium agenda. Page's Raiders, Arizona State fast pitch softball champions for three consecutive years, will play their "home" games at Sun City Stadium, and are certain to win many local fans. As Page's Sun City Raiders they will be host team in the International Softball Congress World Tournament which will bring teams from throughout the nation to play at Sun City.

The crack of the bat, an umpire's called strike, the crowd's roar of "kill the ump," and the concessionaire's "call" are familiar sounds at Sun City Stadium from early Spring through Autumn. Sun City's no-bad-hop stadium has scored a real "hit" with players and fans alike.