 The Phoenix Diamondbacks debuted in 1996, the first affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks to start playing professional baseball, two years before their parent club joined the major leagues.A crowd of 6,124 attended the Diamondbacks' first game on June 25, 1996, a 15-7 loss to the Phoenix Athletics.A number of local dignitaries were at the game, including Buck Showalter and Jerry Colangelo.