Rattlers find Copper Sky ‘fantastic facility’ (gallery)

The Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers started training in Maricopa March 8 and opened the practice to the public in near-perfect weather conditions on Saturday.

That was also the first day team President Chris Presson attended practice at the facility at Copper Sky Regional Park. “It’s going great,” he said. “We’ve been really impressed.”

Also dropping in were Ak-Chin Chairman Robert Miguel and former chairman Louis Manuel. Ak-Chin Indian Community is sponsoring the Rattlers’ use of Copper Sky for training camp this year.

“This is a fantastic facility,” said les Skelton, team safety director.

The Rattlers have two 50-yard fields drawn out on the grass next to the dog park on the southwest side of Copper Sky. The team has around 40 players signed but has to whittle that down to a 24-man roster by the time the season starts April 1.

Short bleachers were set up on the rise overlooking the field. A handful of residents came specifically to watch the practice while others who had come to use the dog park stopped to watch the action.

Arizona Rattlers in Training

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