PHOENIX (AZFamily) \u2014 Baseball returns to the Valley Monday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks open their 2026 home schedule at Chase Field, facing the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m.<\/p>\n
The event will kick off a weeklong homestand filled with fanfare and entertainment. Simone Cuccurullo and Paul Horton are taking us to Chase Field to see what fans can expect in the coming games!<\/p>\n
Save big at the ballpark<\/p>\n
One offer is aimed at keeping fans both fed and refreshed in future games.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s Family Value Pack includes four tickets for $120, with each ticket coming with a D-backs Dog and a 24-oz. regular soda.<\/p>\n
The deal is available for select home games against the Blue Jays on April 19, the Rockies on May 24, the Nationals on June 7, the Brewers on July 5, the Reds on Aug. 23 and the Rangers on Sept. 13.<\/p>\n
New bites at Chase Field<\/p>\n
What\u2019s a baseball game without some good bites?<\/p>\n
Fans heading to Chase Field this season can dig into several new food options while watching the action, including a pulled pork mac and cheese sandwich, a hand-dipped chili cheese corndog and a chicken parmesan grilled cheese.<\/p>\n
Check out concession stands throughout the ballpark for the full lineup of menu items.<\/p>\n
Self-taught journey to the big stage<\/p>\n
Arizona clarinetist Joe Giacinto will perform the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks\u2019 home opener Monday, bringing a remarkable self-taught journey to one of the team\u2019s biggest stages.<\/p>\n
Born blind and autistic, Giacinto has spent nearly a decade learning music entirely by ear and has memorized hundreds of pieces. A recent video of one of his performances drew widespread attention and helped lead to the invitation. He has said he hopes to one day perform alongside Andrea Bocelli and continues to build his career through public performances across Arizona.<\/p>\n
Throwing the first pitch<\/p>\n
Beauden Baumkirchner, an 8-year-old Little Leaguer from Lake Havasu City, will throw the first pitch of the season.<\/p>\n
When he was 3 years old, he developed a rare, aggressive staph infection that led to septic shock. He spent months in intensive care, underwent more than 20 surgeries, and ultimately had both legs amputated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,\u201d said Beauden\u2019s father, Brian Baumkirchner. \u201cIt\u2019s so special to have an organization to be so impressed with Beauden and everything he does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diamondbacks merch drop <\/p>\n
New D-backs gear has arrived just in time for the home opener, giving fans plenty of ways to show up in style.<\/p>\n
Value items include T-shirts for $14.99, hats for $14.99, baseballs for $7.99 and pens for $2.99. <\/p>\n
The shop\u2019s hat wall also features a mix of current and retro logos, offering something for just about every fan. <\/p>\n
With a big Opening Day crowd expected, fans may want to shop early before some of the new merchandise sells out.<\/p>\n
Home opener through a player\u2019s eyes<\/p>\n
Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State University head baseball coach<\/a>, was the first Sun Devil to play for the Diamondbacks and spent three seasons with the franchise from 2011-13. He recalled how the opener is a big deal for players and fans alike. <\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what you do in spring training at the end of the day,\u201d Bloomquist said. \u201cIts all wiped clean, and now it\u2019s Opening Day and the big boy lights come on, and now its time to perform for real.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a special day for everyone from all walks of life.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all have the ambitions of being that team at the end of the rainbow, that\u2019s gonna be the one team standing,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Chase Field tours<\/p>\n Fans have been able to take guided tours of Chase Field since the ballpark first opened in 1998, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of Arizona\u2019s most recognizable sports venues.<\/p>\n For the past seven years, Gary Castle has helped lead those tours, giving visitors a chance to see areas such as the swimming pool, the Sandlot playground, the dugout, clubhouse access areas and much of the stadium itself.<\/p>\n Castle said one of the most popular stops is the pool in right-center field, a feature that continues to stand out to visitors. He said fans often comment on how uniquely Arizona it feels to have a swimming pool inside a baseball stadium.<\/p>\n Catching up with Geraldo Perdomo<\/p>\n As he heads into his sixth Major League season, D-backs shortstop Geraldo Perdomo says his focus is on staying positive, having fun and being himself. <\/p>\n Perdomo told Arizona\u2019s Family he tries to bring good energy to the clubhouse every day, saying the ballpark is a place where players should be happy no matter the circumstances. <\/p>\n Looking ahead, Perdomo said his offseason focus was more on agility than bulking up, adding with a laugh that he still doesn\u2019t consider himself a power hitter.<\/p>\n Check out all the videos above to learn more about this year\u2019s home opener, events, merchandise and more!<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n