matthewweaver.com | mlb ballparks

Ballpark:
Comiskey Park, now known as U.S. Cellular Field, opened in 1991 as the replacement to the aging original Comiskey Park, which stood next door to the new ballpark. It was constructed on the "fast track" after an 11th hour deal funded a new stadium for the White Sox, who had threatened to move to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida (prior to the existence of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays).

As a result of the quick planning and construction, the park is a sterile and uninspiring structure with little character. The outfield wall field is a symmetrical arc reminiscent of the "Cookie Cutter Era" ballparks. The upper deck seats are steeply pitched and difficult to climb, so many times they sit empty. The club seats are almost too plentiful - they run from foul line to foul line - and are completely uncovered. The only thing that makes them a club seat is that they have food servers.

On the plus side, the scoreboard complex does do a decent job of imitating the old Comiskey Park scoreboard with its firework spitting pinwheels. A field level club was added in the late 1990's just beyond the right field wall and that is rather unique.

All in all, Chicago rushed to get its new ballpark built an missed their chance to have a great new venue for the fans. The ballpark will go down in history as the venue that was completely shown up by the retro style of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. And to top things off, they sold the naming rights to U.S. Cellular and ditched the Comiskey name. Heresy! The ballpark is merely average and deserves a "C+" rating.

How to get there:
From O'Hare International Airport, take Interstate 190 East to Interstate 90/94 East. (From Midway Airport, take Interstate 55 North to I-90/94 East.) Follow I-90/94, the Dan Ryan Expressway, South to the 35th Street exit and the park is visible to the right.

Parking is plentiful, but the neighborhood is dangerous, so taking the Chicago Transit Authority train is advisable.

City:
Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and it is filled with things to see and do. It sits on the Southwest shore of Lake Michigan and is the center of Midwestern business and culture. Skyscrapers line Michigan Avenue for miles and the largest office building in the United States, Sears Tower, stands nearby. The parks by the lake shore are home to countless museums and events, such as the annual Taste of Chicago festival. From the Aquarium to Navy Pier to various professional sports games, you will never be bored in Chicago.

Stuff to do while there:
I recommend doing at least these two things while in Chicago: 1) Visit the Sky Deck of Sears Tower, where you have a bird's eye view of the surrounding city and 2) Eat a thick Chicago Style pizza from one of the many area pizza joints. 3) Check out the nightlife in the Division Street and Rush Street areas. 4) Browse the posh shops of the Magnificent Mile on upper Michigan Avenue. Otherwise, you can do just about what ever you want.

Story:
I traveled to Chicago for the weekend with my friends and (at that time) co-workers Dave and Mike, along with Mike's friend Chris. We packed into a room at the Hilton on Michigan Avenue, went to the Taste of Chicago Festival and watched the baseball game before returning to Cleveland.

Fun facts:
In 1991, the opening of Comiskey Park began the era of the new ballparks in baseball; however, it came before the "Retro Era." That was started the following year with the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

The park had a major role in the film Major League II. It played the new ballpark of the Cleveland Indians since Jacobs Field had not yet opened at that time.

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The park has an ornate outfield bleacher & scoreboard complex much like the old Comiskey
June 29, 1996

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The infield portion of the park
June 29, 1996

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Matt in the right field club seats
June 29, 1996

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Friends Chris, Dave and Mike
hang out in the club seats
June 29, 1996

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The exterior of the ballpark
June 30, 1996