Summer Fun: Chicago Cubs Baseball

One of the more popular tourist attractions in Chicago is going to see a baseball game.  The Chicago Cubs play in a very traditional baseball park.

The team’s home stadium, Wrigley Field,  which was built in 1914 and is located in the Central Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago’s north side.  The team plays in the National League Central Division, and in 2005 finished fourth (missing the playoffs) with an overall losing record.  The regular season lasts from the beginning of April, and goes through the end of September.  Over this time, the team will play 162 games, half of which are at home, so there are many opportunities to catch a game in Chicago.  Many people living in the area would agree that summers are made for going to the ballpark to watch the Cubbies play. 

            The Official Website of the Chicago Cubs is a great place to find useful team information such as Standings,  Schedule, and Player Statistics. There is also a link on this site for Buying Tickets. 

Strategy to going and watching a game at Wrigley Field:

Our approach to watching a game at is first to eat before you go!  Food is expensive inside the ballpark.  Second take the train to the game.  There is parking but you will be paying $20 or more for parking and might not be very close.  Use Moovit to get you there.  As your walking to the game from the train, people will be selling tickets and peanuts.  Don't buy tickets because it is against the law and one of the vendors selling tickets could be a policeman in disguise.  So don't do it.  But buy the peanuts!  Eating peanuts is part of the tradition.  You can buy peanuts inside but we like to buy them outside because the sellers outside are poor and could use the help.

Inside the ballpark go to your seat.  The seats are reserved (except bleacher seats).  Bleacher seats by the way are in full sun.  Young people love the bleachers.  The rest of the part has plenty of shade.  The park is close to the lake and the blows stronger so expect the temperature to be a little colder than the rest of the city.

Now eating and drinking while watching the game.  Open the bag of peanuts and break the shell and let the shell fall to the floor.  Yes the floor.  If you are not sitting near the end of the aisle and you want to buy a beer from a passing vendor.  Order beer by yelling, "Beer!" and signaling with one, two or more fingers to tell the vendor how many beers you want.  The vendor will yell the price and you can pass the money to a stranger who will pass it along to the vendor.   Never use the middle finger to signal one.

Game day is a massive party.  We hope you like crowds.  After the game there are many many bars along many of the streets.  Walk inside one of the crowded bars.  Remember drinking agae is 21.  In the United States the drinking age is strictly enforced so don't try if your less than 21.

Want to learn a little about baseball?  Watch this video.