Brazell Field
Phoenix, AZ
Review by Mike
Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark is the home of the Grand Canyon University Antelopes of the NCAA’s Western Athletic Conference. The first Brazell Stadium was opened in 1962, named for Dr. Dave Brazell, founder of the GCU baseball program. The original ballpark was a small and basic affair, but it lasted for more than 50 years. In 2018 the current ballpark replaced Brazell Stadium and the difference could not be more striking.
The new ballpark seats 4,000 in beautiful purple seats set into an impressive concrete and steel structure. A large roof covers the seating down both foul lines, supported by an intricate latticework of steel beams and sturdy cables. A couple of things caught my interest about this roof. It’s actually two rooves, that intersect without connecting behind home plate. As these rooves are straight, they come to a point where they meet, leaving a triangle of seats behind the plate uncovered.
The other odd thing about the roof is that it is pretty much pointless. Yes, it can keep fans dry if it’s raining, but this is Phoenix, with an average spring rainfall total of less than two inches. Ah, but it shades us from the sun! Well, a little, but as the ballpark faces northwest, the setting sun shines directly into the seating bowl, cleverly avoiding the roof. Still, it looks fantastic.
There is an old-fashioned light bulb scoreboard set into the left field fence that keeps the line score and a modern, very sharp video screen in right-centerfield with graphics, stats and videos. It’s a very professional atmosphere, with an actual natural grass playing surface! Except for the lack of luxury suites, this would be a very suitable AA ballpark.
There is a grass berm and a large, open party deck down the right field line, plus a parking garage just over the right field fence where a few folks sat perched on the open gates of pickup trucks watching the game for free. Tickets were only $5, but who am I to judge? The concession stand was well-appointed and reasonable priced.
They could do with a bit more adornment to celebrate GCU, the way Arizona does at Hi Corbett Field and ASU at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, but this is a minor quibble. Conference title years and NCAA tournament appearances are noted along the right field fence, but with great colors and a cool logo, they could do more. Regardless, this is a splendid college ballpark, made even more enjoyable but the cool weather on my visit.
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2025
277
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