US Cellular Field

Yesterday was "tour day" in Chicago. We walked another 39 miles, took a free trolley ride or 2, and took a quick scouting trip on the CTA of US Cellular field...4 hours before the game. Karl shared the Segway Tour photo earlier...I'm thinking that's a great way to see the city, based on how bad my feet hurt!

The scouting trip to find food was unsuccessful...because US Cellular field is wedged between the "Dan Ryan" expressway, the CTA "red-line" and a train yard. The stadium might as well be in Yuma AZ...nothing around except parking lots. By far the biggest disappointment as far as stadiums go on the trip. We headed back into the city for some lunch...at 4pm...really, the first time I was actually hungry on the trip.

Once inside, it's not a bad place to watch a game. The atmosphere reminded me of an indoor soccer game or a college football game - lots of Jock Jam cuts, cheering, yelling and they even have a "fight song". The fans reminded me of hockey fans...and that's a good thing as far as atmosphere is concerned.

It was never so painfully obvious that MLB is about the money, than at this park. The food was more expensive than Wrigley. EVERYTHING is sponsored...just like anywhere, but here, they read off the "official BLANK of the White Sox" like 300 times before the game Other than the fight song, it was the most unimaginative facility I have been too.

Something unique for me was the ban of the upper deck folks from entering the rest of the stadium...an usher told us it was because they have had trouble getting EMTs to the fans on the concourse. They don't have AC in any of the rooms (restrooms, shops etc) on the 500 level. Never felt that much like a second class citizen before... Rant continues...They charge for a pencil to keep score. Our last rant about the stadium was the lack of "vintage player T's" in the merchandise selection, ending Karl's acquisition streak.

We did manage to wander the stadium in the 9th to get a sneak peak at the life of the rich and famous.