Welcome to the D-backs Beat newsletter! I’m Steve Gilbert, and I’ve been writing about the D-backs since 1998. Let’s get right to it … |
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks are one step closer to securing a public/private financing deal that will allow them to renovate Chase Field and remain in downtown Phoenix for the foreseeable future. The Arizona House of Representatives voted 35-20 on Monday to approve House Bill 2704, which would allow tax dollars from Chase Field to be reinvested in the renovation of the structure, which was built in 1998 and is owned by the Maricopa County Stadium District. The bill has already passed the Senate and now will go to the desk of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for her signature. Hobbs, who has been a supporter of the bill, is expected to sign it. The team would then need to negotiate a lease with Maricopa County. |
“I’m thrilled that the legislature has passed a bill that will keep the Diamondbacks in Phoenix and create good-paying jobs,” Hobbs said on social media Monday. “This is a huge win for every Arizonan. I appreciate the bipartisan elected officials and the business and labor leaders who came to the table and worked with my office to make this moment possible.” The sales taxes from the stadium and adjacent buildings will be reinvested into the infrastructure. It has a cap of $500 million over the next 30 years and is earmarked for infrastructure only, such as the air conditioning system, which is outdated and inefficient. The Diamondbacks have pledged to spend $250 million of their own money on improving the facility as well, making it a public/private partnership. “We’re ecstatic over the legislative approval of HB2704,” Diamondbacks president/CEO/general partner Derrick Hall said. “This will be a monumental victory for baseball and Diamondbacks fans when signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. We could then shift our focus to a proper lease extension negotiation with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in hopes of modernizing and renovating this public asset to a level those fans deserve. |
“We thank the strong efforts and leadership of Rep. Jeff Weninger, the bill’s sponsor, the supportive lawmakers and Gov. Hobbs. The Diamondbacks take pride in the community and economic impact we have provided while playing right here at Chase Field. We look forward to a continuation of creating memories, jobs and billions in economic growth for our fans and great state.” The structure of the sales tax recapture plan is similar to what the NFL's Arizona Cardinals have at their stadium in Glendale. That partnership has allowed State Farm Stadium to remain a state-of-the-art facility and continue to host events like the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff as well as the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four. The bill also received support from Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred this spring. “The Diamondbacks have spent literally hundreds of millions of dollars keeping the facility up,” Manfred said. “It’s at an age where there needs to be a private/public partnership to keep the facility in shape. This bill was really well-crafted to protect the interests of the public and to make sure everybody understood what the obligations were.” |
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The week's big news is outfielder Corbin Carroll going on the IL with a chip fracture in his left wrist. Here is an excerpt from my colleague Casey Drotter’s story: MRI results revealed Carroll suffered a chip fracture in his wrist. While both he and the team are still gathering information on the recovery process, the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year landed on the injured list on Tuesday afternoon, with outfielder Jake McCarthy recalled from Triple-A Reno to take his place. “You try and play and get treatment, and hopefully it feels better after a day or two,” Carroll said. “As it didn’t, it became apparent that maybe a few more tests were needed. Got those done, it’s just unfortunate.” “That’s still a little bit confusing to all of us,” manager Torey Lovullo said of the chip fracture diagnosis. “It’s on the back of his hand. There’s definitely that fracture in there. He’s going to continue to get some opinions just to find out what that official diagnosis means and what the time frame will be.” |
The Diamondbacks will celebrate love, inclusivity and the power of baseball to bring communities together for the 8th Annual D-backs Pride Night at Chase Field on Friday. If you purchase a special ticket package for the night, you will receive a Diamondbacks Pride jersey (limited sizing available, first come, first served) and get to participate in the pregame Rainbow Walk around the field. But the celebration doesn’t stop there! Pride Plaza in La Terraza opens at 4:30 p.m. MST, featuring exciting activities, entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere that truly embodies the spirit of Pride. A portion of every Pride Pack benefits local nonprofit organizations committed to building a more inclusive Arizona. To learn more about the D-backs' ongoing LGBTQ+ initiatives, visit D-backs for Change – Pride. |
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