For anyone familiar with baseball, it's pretty well known that winning and the Cubs don't exactly go hand-in-hand. However, Wrigley Field is one of the most enjoyed places in Chicago, by natives and visitors alike. If it’s obviously not about the winning legacy of the Cubs, there must be something else drawing the crowds to Wrigley Field. That something is this stadiums rich history and its connection with the people and the city of Chicago.
Wrigley Field was built in 1914. Many feel that this stadium is a haven for the game of baseball. The field is small and simple, and lacks many of the high-tech gadgets and gizmos that some feel take away from the wonder of the game. A hand-operated scoreboard, a “W" or “L" flag that is flown after every game to keep those who could not attend updated, and a view of the lake can all be experienced at a Cubs game.
Chicago residents feel they have a special connection with Wrigley Field. Maybe that is because the game of baseball is played just a little differently in Chicago. While other stadiums were illuminating the night sky, Wrigley Field did not install a lighting system until about a decade ago. Before the lights were used, the Cubs played every home game during the day. However, most of their games are still played in the daylight because of an agreement the stadium made with residents in the neighborhood where it is located.
Another special feature of the stadium is its walls covered in ivy. Not only is it pleasant to look at, it adds a little twist to the game. Should a fly ball get lost in the ivy, the runner gets an automatic double. Finally, because of its small size, compared to other stadiums, Wrigley Field feels much more personal to the baseball fans that attend its games. As a bonus, its small size makes every seat in the stadium a decent place to take in a ball game.
Tickets to a Cubs game can run anywhere from about $15 to $50. However, you will probably need to book your tickets pretty far in advance. Most of the tickets for weekend and night games are sold out by Memorial Day. You can book tickets by calling 800-THE-CUBS or by visiting www.tickets.com. If you haven't gotten tickets in advance, your best bet will be to catch a weekday game, or try buying a ticket on game day outside the park. Usually there will be one or two season ticket holders looking to get rid of a few tickets.
Getting to Wrigley Field is pretty simple, even for the most directionally challenged. The best way is probably to take the Red Line. All you have to do is take it to the Addison stop and you're there. You can also reach it by taking the number 22 bus.
Though the Chicago Cubs have historically been surrounded by controversy and a decades-long losing streak, there is something to be said for the yesteryear charm of Wrigley Field. Whether it is your first ball game or you are a long-time lover of the game, a trip to Wrigley Field is a definite must on your Chicago adventure.
"Midway through their North American tour, The Police made a stop in the city of Chicago for two nights on July 5th and 6th. Most concerts that have come through the windy city have usually played at the likes of places such as the United Center, First Midwest Amphitheatre, or Soldiers Field. With the exception of Jimmy Buffett in 2006, Wrigley Field has had limited if any other concerts performed there, so it was intriguing to hear that this 80's super group chose to play in the friendly confines. The combo of growing up as a teenage Police fan in the 80's and being an avid Wrigley Field fan as well, made this show a must to see! The show started around 7PM and my seats were located in terrace section 220 about halfway up. Even though it seemed that I was far away, the seats were perfect, in that they were dead center behind home plate, with no obstructions! The stage was straight away in centerfield, and had a collage of big screens and lights behind and around. The club and field boxes directly below us were appropriately roped off due to possible obstructions from various structures on the field. Like Chicago Cubs games, there were the familiar sounds of beer vendors walking around and advertising what they had to sell. At first I was worried that these vendors might be a distraction, but they did vanish once the music began. The opening act was called ?Fiction Plane?, and as they played I noticed that the lead singer sounded a lot like Police front man, Sting. Low and behold I found out later that the singer was actually Sting's son. I never heard of this group so just as most in the crowd, I gabbed away with fellow Police fans as I listened. Just to say something , the group was tight and provided an enjoyable background sound to my conversations. At about 8:15, the moment came. With most fans in their seats, a large roar from the crowd applauded, as Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Sting finally took the stage together. For being in their 50's the trio looked great as they waved and smiled out to the crowd that so anxiously awaited their reunion. The group opened up with ?Message in a Bottle?, and everyone was on there feet. More songs followed such as ?Synchronicity II?, ?Walking on the Moon?, ?Voices Inside My Head?, and ?Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic?. Overall most of the songs were played perfectly, but there were a couple that seemed flat. In the 80's, The Police put out two versions of ?Down Stand so Close to Me?, neither of which did they emulate. Sting never hit the high notes in the chorus that defined both versions, which made the song seem out of key. In ?Wrapped Around Your Finger?, Sting alone, sang the chorus. Over the last 25 years, listening to that song a thousand times, it was almost the equivalent of Sting the teacher, standing in his classroom and running his finger nails down the chalkboard. Again except for a couple of hiccups, the band was great. Summers guitar rifts were right on, Copeland's beats were forceful and explanatory as always, and Sting worked the crowd with plenty of ohh-ee-ohhs. The big screens added to a great visual effect and the sound was excellent. The combo of seeing The Police at Wrigley Field was definitely an enjoyable experience!"
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