Doused By An Angel

Anaheim rocks. Ask anyone who has witnessed the majesty of the “Outdoor Extravaganza” at Edison International Field, home of the Disney-owned Angels. There, behind left-center field, is a massive rust-brown hunk of the California coastline, plus upgrades. Dreamed up by the entertainment giant’s Imagineering unit as part of a two-year, $117-million stadium renovation completed last spring, the faux coast features a rugged facade softened with dazzling waterfalls and geysers illuminated by 80 show lights. Fireworks sometimes erupt from three pyrotechnic sites. It’s all that, sports fans (“guests,” in Disney parlance), and a telegenic backdrop for deep fly balls. At the unveiling, when reporters wondered how a theme-parkish rendering of nature ties in with America’s pastime, a team booster huffed: “That thing is cool, and you know it.” Even better, it’s an extravaganza.