Shaded Seating at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

What You Need to Know About Shade at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is a breathtaking facility located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. Home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, it was the first MLB spring training site built on Native American land.

The stadium’s architectural standout is its roof, which was uniquely designed to cast a massive shadow over the crowd. While many ballparks have a roof that only covers the top few rows, Salt River Fields uses its high, cantilevered canopy to project shade deep into the lower bowl as the afternoon wears on.

This “solar-engineered” design makes it one of the most comfortable places to watch baseball in the Arizona heat. Data shows that “approximately 85 percent of the fans in the 7,000 fixed seats will be shaded as the game progresses.”

How Shade Moves During the Day

Because of its east orientation, the sun starts the game high above the first-base grandstand. At the 1:10 PM first pitch, the 100-level is almost entirely sun-drenched.

However, as the game progresses, the stadium’s roof acts like a giant parasol. By 3:00 PM, all seats above the cross-aisle are shaded, along with the lower-level infield sections.

The Best Sections for Shade

Stick to the first-side for shade over a longer duration of the day.

• Sections 205-211: These are the first pitch shade seats. These are the only sections that can see shade for an early afternoon start.

• Sections 104 – 112: While they will be sunny at the start, around 3:00 pm these infield sections should fall into the shade

• The Pepsi Patio: Located at the top of the upper level, this deck offers shade throughout the game. In fact, it is one of the most shaded and breezy spots in the entire complex.

Evening and Night Games

Evening games at Salt River Fields are a treat, as the stadium lights against the silhouettes of the Camelback and McDowell Mountains create a stunning backdrop.

For a 6:05 PM or 7:05 PM start, the setting sun is positioned behind the first-base grandstand, meaning the sun will be at your back if you sit on the Diamondbacks’ side, but fans on the third-base side may face some initial glare. As soon as the sun dips below the horizon, the temperature in Scottsdale can drop significantly, often falling 15–20 degrees by the final out.

Because the roof structures trap the rising cool air, the stadium can feel quite brisk at night, so a light jacket or sweatshirt is highly recommended even if the day was blistering hot.