After I posted the photos of the Cubs' new spring-training park last Sunday, I heard from BCBer Mike Johnson, who was also at the open house, and offered to send me quite a few more photos.
I figured all of you would like to see more, so here they are.
Mike noted -- and you'll see -- that around the time (1 p.m. AZT) when most games will begin, almost the entire seating area is in shade. However, the sun is higher in the sky in March than it is in November, so I'd assume that at least the first few rows of seats will get sun, with the majority of them in shade. This is something that has been done with other new spring facilities (Talking Stick in particular), because although sunshine is one of the best things about spring training, there are a fair number of people who prefer sitting in the shade.
Check out the photo from behind section 109 -- that gap is where the Cubs would come on the field from their clubhouse, perhaps an attraction to sit in that section.
One thing I've noticed in these photos is that there is no traditional hitters' background (big green wall) as there was at HoHoKam Park, and as there is in some of the other spring parks. Instead, you simply see grass and trees in that location. It remains to be seen whether this sort of background is sufficient for hitters.
After the open house, Mike went to Surprise and caught the end of the Mesa Solar Sox/Surprise Saguaros game, so there are bonus photos at the end of this gallery of Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant and Albert Almora. Enjoy!