Diamondbacks fans at home opener talk about video board obstruction
New ribbon boards at Chase Field add to the light show and atmosphere, but partially block field views.
From his seat in the first row in Section 328 at Chase Field, Gary Carnell leaned forward to illustrate a point. Through a railing with horizontal bars last season, he could easily see the Diamondbacks bullpen beyond left field, and when fans would ask him who was warming up, he could tell them without leaning forward. But that viewpoint, and more, has changed since the new electronic ribbon boards that line the facade of the upper deck were installed.
Carnell cannot clearly see the bullpen or fans going after a foul ball below him in the first level without leaning forward. Other fans further down the line toward home plate and on the first base side have the same issue. And some aren't happy about it.
The boards, which encircle the field from foul pole to foul pole, block what was a transparent railing at the bottom of the 300 section in the upper deck. Now, the back of the ribbon boards block that view for fans in the first few rows, the most affected being those seated in the first row. The third-deck ribbon boards are a new feature installed before the start of this season.
Last season, the boards were between only the first and second levels. "Why should they block our view? " Carnell said.