Scottsdale Stadium - Scottsdale Scorpions
- Meg Minard
- Oct 23
- 6 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Scottsdale Stadium 7408 E Osborn Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 12,000
Fall Scorpions
Located in Phoenix’s East Valley, Scottsdale Stadium opened in 1992 and has served as the home of the Arizona Fall League’s Scottsdale Scorpions every October and November - except in 2020. Designed by HOK, the current facility was built on the same site as the original Scottsdale Stadium, which first opened in 1956. Today, the City of Scottsdale owns, operates, and maintains the stadium.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve fan comfort and safety, the city recently renovated the left-field berm, adding a shaded patio area, expanded grass seating, and enhanced landscaping. (Note: this section is closed during Scorpions games.) These upgrades complement the refreshed seating area completed in 2023.
The Arizona Fall League is a six-week developmental league held in several of the spring training venues across Greater Phoenix. Major League Baseball teams send top prospects for additional instruction and game experience. In 2025, the Scottsdale Scorpions roster features players from the Tigers, Astros, Mets, Giants, and Nationals. The team last claimed the Fall League championship in 2015.
Scottsdale Stadium has hosted Arizona Fall League Championship games in years past, and now, thanks to its recent renovations, also accommodates concerts and other special events. Each spring, the stadium transforms into the Cactus League home of the San Francisco Giants, welcoming fans for MLB preseason action.
Food & Beverage 3
One concession stand at the main entrance is open for Fall League games, and it sells standard ballpark fare, offering hot dogs, bratwurst, and pizza. Snacks include Bavarian pretzels, nachos, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, candy, and chips. The concession area also sells packaged ice cream sandwiches and cones.
For drinks, Coca-Cola brand sodas and bottled water are available. A variety of canned beers is also available at the concession stand, in both regular size and super-size ($11.29 - $14.99). Brands include Coors, Michelob, Lagunitas, Modelo, 805, and Truly. Wine and canned cocktails are also for sale.
A Family Value Meal (4 hot dogs, soda/water, popcorn) for $57.99 or a Kids Meal (hot dog, apple sauce, box of fruit juice) for $10.99 are also for sale.
The selection is basic but enough for the crowd. We recommend just getting a snack, if needed, and heading to one of the many restaurants in nearby downtown Scottsdale before or after the game.
Atmosphere 3
Scottsdale Stadium offers a calm and focused setting for Fall Ball, where game day operations prioritize the action on the field over loud music or distracting noise. The intimate seating layout places fans close to the diamond, immersing them in the sensory details of the game—the pitcher’s muttered frustration after a missed pitch, the crack of the bat, the pop of the ball in the catcher’s mitt, and the entertaining conversations of fellow baseball fans.
Traditional green fold-down seats span two levels, separated by a central walkway. Though snug, the seats are clean, shiny, and equipped with cup holders. Seating beyond the baselines does not angle toward the infield—a design choice from an era just before that innovation became standard. Rows offer average legroom, and recent updates have refreshed the stadium’s look: repainted concourse floors and new aluminum railings have replaced the aging green fixtures.
Protective netting tapers off at the end of each dugout, allowing fans seated farther down the foul lines to enjoy unobstructed views of the game. For Arizona Fall League matchups, seating is general admission and first-come, first-served. Sunlight pours down on the first and third base side seating areas during day games, while shaded areas are available behind home plate and on the second level—giving fans flexibility to choose or shift their vantage point throughout the game.
The scoreboard presents the line score with balls, strikes, and outs stacked vertically rather than the traditional horizontal format. During player introductions or pitching changes, it displays a photo along with the player’s name, number, and position. An analog clock adds a nostalgic touch. Bullpens are tucked behind the outfield walls in left and right field.
Printed lineups and rosters are available at the merchandise stand near the entrance, and fans can explore the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame along the first base inner concourse - an inspiring tribute to MLB stars who began their careers in this league.
Neighborhood 5
The ballpark is adjacent to a thriving downtown neighborhood. Within just blocks (walking distance – up to but no longer than a mile) are many areas to eat, drink, shop, and sleep. It is a very safe neighborhood in which to stroll and visit.
Recommended places to eat in downtown Scottsdale are Karsen’s Grill (an exceptional small bar/eatery), Los Olives Mexican Patio (Mexican and margaritas), and The Mission Old Town (modern Latin cuisine). Goldwater Brewery (an independent local brewery) is a half-mile walk from the stadium and sells a good variety of craft beers. Brat Haus is right next door to Goldwater Brewery and offers artisan sausages, Belgian fries, and 25 varieties of craft beer. There are many other restaurants and bars in the neighborhood; check here for a directory to find others that might suit your tastes.
For places to spend the night, Old Town Scottsdale has many hotels, many within walking distance of Scottsdale Stadium. The Courtyard Scottsdale Old Town, Holiday Inn Express, and Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Scottsdale Old Town are just a few within a mile of the stadium. Prices during the Fall League are more affordable than during spring training.
Besides strolling through the downtown area, other things to see and do within walking distance of the stadium are the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Other sports venues to visit when in town are the two other East Valley Fall League stadiums: Salt River Fields and Sloan Park. A little farther away, basketball fans can watch a Suns game at Mortgage Matchup Center in downtown Phoenix. Just five or so miles south of Scottsdale, fans can catch some ASU football, basketball, or soccer matches.
Fans 3
Attendance generally runs between 300 – 500 fans a game, with more fans attending on weekends and as the season progresses. As with most AFL games, fans consist of baseball scouts, retired folks, and true devotees of the game of baseball. You’ll see parents or grandparents of the players in the stands as well. It is quite easy to strike up a conversation, as most fans have baseball in common. You’ll notice several fans keeping score.
Access 3
Scottsdale Stadium sits at the corner of Drinkwater Blvd and Osborn Rd in downtown Scottsdale. None of Phoenix’s major highways pass nearby, but Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) is the closest, located a few miles east of the stadium. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the nearest airport, just nine or ten miles away. For public transit, check Valley Metro for bus routes serving the area.
The closest public parking is the Civic Center Library Garage, adjacent to the ballpark on Drinkwater Blvd. It’s about two blocks from the home plate entrance. Parking there is free and typically available for Scorpions games.
Unfortunately, the stadium and city fall short when it comes to accessible parking. Only a few wheelchair-designated spots are visibly available in the lot directly in front of the stadium, and signage is minimal.
Security at Scottsdale Stadium, like many venues these days, feels more performative than practical. The staff checking bags at Scottsdale Stadium, often older retirees, would be quite ineffective in the event of a real security threat. Their main concern is checking to make sure bottled water is sealed or opened ones are empty.
Clean, serviceable bathrooms are open along the concourse near the tunnels. Stadium operations automated them (touchless) during the pandemic.
Return on Investment 4
Arizona Fall League games, especially in Scottsdale, are just about baseball, not all the other extra entertainment and commercialization happening during spring training games.
Not a whole lot of music is played to ruin hearing the natural sounds of the game. Fans can talk baseball to just about anyone and strike up a friendship, if only for a few innings.
A game is still affordable, but admission prices have increased: $14 for adults, $12 for kids 11 - 17 and seniors (60+), and children under 10 get in free this 2025 season.
Fans can sit anywhere they want. The AFL sells season ticket packages (single or double), worth the investment if you and/or a friend plan on attending more than 10 or 15 games.
Extras 3
Set to debut in MLB in 2026, the Arizona Fall League continues its multi-year testing of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. This season, MLB is also piloting a new check swing challenge system to assess whether a disputed swing crosses the 45° threshold. Like the ball/strike challenge, the swing motion is displayed on the scoreboard for real-time validation.
Fans can enjoy unobstructed views of the action thanks to net-free seating—a rare treat for some fans and autograph seekers.
Worth noting again, the Scorpions keep in-game music to a minimum, with none played between pitches or at-bats. This thoughtful approach allows fans to enjoy the game without distraction and engage in conversation without competing with loud audio - a welcome atmosphere for traditionalists.
Final Thoughts
For all the baseball purists, an Arizona Fall League game is just the ticket. Scottsdale Stadium and the Scorpions provide lots of baseball and sports history. If in town in October or November, stop by and take in nine innings.
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