Things to know about downtown Phoenix for D-backs wild card game

PHOENIX — Downtown Phoenix will go baseball crazy on Wednesday when the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Colorado Rockies in the National League Wild Card game.

And excuse the pun, but we’re expecting things to get a little wild.

The team has already announced the game to be played at Chase Field sold out less than two hours after the public was able to purchase tickets.

Given that the stadium holds nearly 49,000 fans — and that’s not including standing room or all the festivities taking place outside — we’re going to take a swing and say the downtown area will be just a tiny bit much busier than normal.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game, all the way from traffic to things to do:

So what’s this game all about?

Wednesday’s game will decide which team — the D-backs or the Rockies — will earn the wild card spot. The one-game playoff will determine which club will move on and face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the next round of the playoffs.

The loser goes home.

“Shoot, I’m not even playing in the game and I couldn’t sleep last night … I think the guys will be at the ballpark a little early,” former D-back outfielder Luis Gonzalez said of the players’ nerves on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Wednesday.

The D-backs have bested the Rockies this year, winning the season series 11-8. However, the teams equally split the 10 regular season games played in Phoenix this year.

It will be the first time the D-backs have seen the postseason since 2011, while it will be the Rockies’ first postseason appearance since 2009.

The D-backs will roll out ace pitcher Zack Greinke and rely on him — along with an offense led by National League Player of the Month J.D. Martinez — to best their division rivals.

When does it start?

First pitch was scheduled for 5:08 p.m., which likely means fans and commuters will be on the road at the same time.

The team was urging fans to get to Chase Field early, as gates for the game will open at 3 p.m. and pregame festivities start at 4:30 p.m.

Those include a ceremonial first pitch by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, the national anthem performed by trumpeter Jesse McGuire and an American flag held by uniformed military members and Phoenix police officers and firefighters.

The first 45,000 fans will receive a D-backs rally towel.

Can I still get tickets?

The game is officially a sellout, but tickets were available on third-party sales sites, such as StubHub, though they were priced above face value.

What do I do if I get there early?

Fans who find themselves getting there ahead of time will have a lot of options.

The team planned to throw a street festival near Fourth and Jackson streets that will feature live music, a beer garden and a postseason merchandise truck.

For those who arrive even earlier, several bars and restaurants near Chase Field said they planned to offer specials. Many also have happy hour deals in the hours leading up to the game.

Game Seven Grill, located in the same plaza as Chase Field, said it would be open at 11 a.m.

Or you could always get ahead of crowded security lines.

“To get in and get out, it’s just going to require patience,” Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

OK, so how do I get there?

Like we said, first pitch was scheduled for 5:08 p.m., so we’re taking a page out of the D-backs’ book and advising people to get down there early.

Considering that rush hour begins about 3 p.m., fans should consider using the light rail if they want to avoid traffic.

Those coming from the East Valley should use a westbound train and get off at Third and Washington streets.

People heading downtown from the West Valley should use an eastbound train and get off at Third and Jefferson streets.

Fans who want to drive downtown and park can use the Seventh Street exit from either Interstate 10 or Interstate 17 to reach the ballpark.

Of course, there are other ways to get downtown. We’d recommend using a GPS device if you have one to figure out the fastest way for you.

Where should I park?

There are plenty of places to park in the area immediately around Chase Field, but drivers should be prepared to pay to get in.

There is a large parking garage between Washington and Jefferson streets near Seventh Street, just north of Chase Field.

There is also a large garage on the south side of the stadium along with several private lots along Buchanan Street.

The Bank of American building on Washington Street has an underground parking garage in which fans can park.

Other garages — such as the one at the Arizona Center near Fillmore and Third streets — are a short walk from Chase Field.

Good eats?

Are you kidding? It’s the D-backs.

The team has gotten a reputation for having some of baseball’s better dishes and it planned to roll out a few special items for Wednesday’s game.

What if I work downtown?

If you work in the downtown area and don’t plan on sticking around for the festivities, you may want to alter your schedule that day, if at all possible.

We’d expect things to get busy around 3 p.m. and stay that way through at least 6 p.m., when most of the fans should be inside Chase Field.

Traffic — on the sidewalks, roads and light rail — will pick up again somewhere around 8:45 p.m. when the game should end.

Editor’s note: 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station will be live all day Wednesday starting at 6 a.m. from Chase Field.

Follow @KTAR923