Arizona, MLB ready to battle heat for All-Star festivities

PHOENIX – For this year’s All-Star game in Phoenix, managing the extreme Arizona heat may be the biggest challenge.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, along with MLB, are taking steps to limit the problems caused by the heat according to the Sporting News.

The clear subtext of the event this year will be to beat the heat, or at least manage it, in any way possible. Peak summertime temperatures in Phoenix routinely exceed 110 degrees. Among the corrective measures planned are the distribution of thousands of free bottles of water in downtown Phoenix from league sponsor Pepsi’s Aquafina brand, frequent misting stations and emergency personnel stationed throughout the downtown area.

The MLB All-Star game has seen a decline in interest lately, but could see a revival based on a variety of factors.

Boosted by an early start to ticket sales this year, aggressive pricing discounts (as much as 59 percent) and a tight downtown Phoenix footprint that places nearly every event within walking distance, league and Arizona Diamondbacks officials are eyeing a recharge to not only the event itself but also the entire Phoenix region.

“This is going to be a massive boost not only for us, our fans and baseball, but this whole area,” said Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall. The Arizona economy was among the hardest hit in the global economic decline of 2008-09, and recovery there remains unsteady.

“This is something we’ve been very actively pursuing for many years, and will be a major showcase for us,” Hall said.

The All-Star game will take place on July 12th at Chase Field.

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