U.S. Cellular Field: Take me out to the ball game
In Chicago, the North vs. South baseball rivalry dates back to the early 20th century when two different leagues formed on opposite ends of the city: The “Loveable Losers” Cubs on the North side in Wrigleyville, and the 2005 World Series champions The White Sox in the South side. Even though Chicagoans seem to prefer Wrigley Field over U.S. Cellular Field, at least the Sox have won a World Series in the past 100 years.
The White Sox were established in 1901 and called The Chicago White Stockings. Back then, they played their American League games at Comiskey Park, which was demolished in 1991. A new stadium deemed New Comiskey was built across from the old one and in 2003 and was renamed U.S. Cellular.
Akin to a lot of stadiums, Cellular has cheap bleacher seats and more expensive boxes like the Skyline Club and Jim Beam Club. A downstairs bar allows fans to look onto the field at eye-level and watch the opposing team’s pitchers warm up in the pit.
Staunch Sox fans come adorned in black and white jerseys to watch players Alexei Ramirez, Nick Swisher, Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios hit homers, but the biggest draw of any ballgame has to be the food, and the stadium sells junk food galore including Vienna beef wieners, cotton candy, peanuts, beer, soda, nachos and dipping dots.
Since fans aren’t allowed to bring outside beverages in, they are stuck with purchasing bottled water and soda costing almost $5. Fans aren’t limited to just Miller Lite, though, as suds from all over the world are well-represented on hot days. If margaritas and pizza don't satiate, Chinatown is fairly close by.
The out-of-the-way but accessible by train location means cheaper ticket prices, sometimes as low at $10 per ticket. The microcosm area lacks a bevy of bars within walking distance like in Wrigleyville, but staving off drunken disorderliness is part of the stadium’s charm.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
