Wrigley Field

[BeerHere]

Come on everyone. Wrigley field must be preserved.

 

We must fight for it. I've been to every city. Wrigley is by far the best.

 

For those of you who want a ballpark in the suburbs, that's very selfish of you.

 

Some of us don't drive.

 

But it's not selfish of you to want to keep it in the city?

 

Pot meet kettle

They are the CHICAGO Cubs, not the Schaumburg Cubs, Evanston Cubs, etc. The stadium should be in the city. I know other towns do things different, but there's no need to move them out of the city.

 

No need? How about the freedom to do with the ballpark what the owner sees fit to generate additional revenue? How about the need to be in a neighborhood that actually cares about the fans and people that spend their hard earned money in that neighborhood? How about parking? How about access to public transit other than the L? Should I continue?

 

I'd be willing to bet that you live in Wrigleyville. Answer honestly...

 

The bolded makes no sense. The current Wrigley neighborhood doesn't care about the Cubs?

 

Absolutely not. Do you remember the trouble the Cubs had in getting the bleechers rebuilt? It took them over two years to get approval and it cost the Cubs additional money as they were forced to put into the Wrigleyville "improvement fund". How about the rooftop criminals that refused to pay a cent to the Cubs and forced the Tribune to build "wind screens" to make them realize that they were stealing their product?

[BeerHere]

Only access to public transit is the L, no cab stands and buses take

 

There is a train stop half a block from the stadium for the highest volume public train in Chicago. How could they possibly make it better?

 

The train stop is the L that I mentioned. Have you ever tried to get on that train after a game? They could make it better by getting better access to bus routes (both Addison and Clarke have just two lanes going in each direction), better access to taxi/cab stands, better access to th Kennedy, Eisenhower etc. The Dan Ryan isn't the only highway around Chicago and the traffic there will get better when the construction is done, which I think is this time next year.

[ConstableRabbit]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

[BeerHere]

Does anyone here actually consider Wrigley to be a "family friendly atmosphere"?

 

Believe me, I'm no wsox fan, but the park has a lot of cool stuff for kids to do in addition to watching the game with their parents. Some of the best memories I have as a kid were going to Cubbie games with my Dad. My wife and I are expecting our first in September and there is no way I'm taking my son/daughter anywhere near Wrigley Field with the existing atmosphere. No way.

[BeerHere]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

[Chocolate Milk]

Only access to public transit is the L, no cab stands and buses take

 

There is a train stop half a block from the stadium for the highest volume public train in Chicago. How could they possibly make it better?

 

The train stop is the L that I mentioned. Have you ever tried to get on that train after a game? They could make it better by getting better access to bus routes (both Addison and Clarke have just two lanes going in each direction), better access to taxi/cab stands, better access to th Kennedy, Eisenhower etc. The Dan Ryan isn't the only highway around Chicago and the traffic there will get better when the construction is done, which I think is this time next year.

 

I have been on the train after or before about 100 games. They are crowded. How can they make it better? There is a lot of people at the game. Everything is going to be croweded. Whenever you have that concentration of people in a single place it's going to be a headache getting to and from that place. This happens with just about every sporting event. Having trains going North and downtown from a location so close to the stadium is about as good as a city can do. There is going to be traffic no matter what so the Cabs and Bus Routes probably won't help as much. Plus, there are hundreds of Cabs going down Clark street after games. Just grab one. It took me an hour to get on the highway from a Brewers game last year in Milwaukee. That stadium is pretty close to the highway. There is only so much you can do and the public transportation available to get to and from Cubs games is about as good as it gets.

[Chocolate Milk]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

[BeerHere]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

[BeerHere]

Ugh, this thread has me irritated

[Twiggy]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

 

Those stadiums are alot newer as well. I love Wrigley how it is. THe nieghborhood is fun to hang out, or I shoudl say bars/stores across the sreets are :) Sure the Train is crowded after a game but it isn't that bad to get downtown where I usually stay.

[Chocolate Milk]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

 

We're going to have to disagree here. Wrigley is much easier to get to than Soldier Field. I went to 7 Bears game last year and about 15 Cubs games. It's really not even close. I also live closer to Soldier Field than Wrigley Field.

 

It's also a nightmare leaving the Soldier field parking lot after the game, it's impossible to get a cab after the game (unless you take a 30 min walk) and it's a long walk to the Roosevelt L stop. If you don't get there 3 hours before the game you can't fit in the parking lots close to the stadium and are forced to park at McCormick place or some such garbage. I absolutely can't agree that Soldier field is easier to access than Wrigley.

 

All games as a PITA to get to and from. This isn't exclusive to Wrigley.

[waffle]

Does anyone here actually consider Wrigley to be a "family friendly atmosphere"?

 

Believe me, I'm no wsox fan, but the park has a lot of cool stuff for kids to do in addition to watching the game with their parents. Some of the best memories I have as a kid were going to Cubbie games with my Dad. My wife and I are expecting our first in September and there is no way I'm taking my son/daughter anywhere near Wrigley Field with the existing atmosphere. No way.

 

Yeah I see your point, going to a ball park to watch a ball game does seem non-sensical.

[VVMattVV]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

 

Too bad its not nearly as fun a place to see a game.

[radarluv1]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

 

just went to kaufman field the other day. its a suburban park, and despite low attendance, getting out is always a challenge. the only option is driving, buses and cabs are available but not popular. everyone heading though a handful of exits towards the same highway. in short, there is probably not a less efficient way to get people to and from the stadium.

what i liked about wrigley is that if you're willing to walk 15 minutes or so, you can park easily and get out through side streets with minimal headache. the drivers benefit from so many fans using the L. also, if you wait an hour or so after a game, the L is alot less crowded. if you move the cubs to the burbs, it will be worse than kaufman due to more people and less ways to enter and leave the area, imho.

[seanimal]

Does anyone here actually consider Wrigley to be a "family friendly atmosphere"?

 

Believe me, I'm no wsox fan, but the park has a lot of cool stuff for kids to do in addition to watching the game with their parents. Some of the best memories I have as a kid were going to Cubbie games with my Dad. My wife and I are expecting our first in September and there is no way I'm taking my son/daughter anywhere near Wrigley Field with the existing atmosphere. No way.

 

Wierd that you mention this because when I was a kid, all we had to keep us entertained when we went to ballpark were the Chicago Cubs. Man, that really sucked!

[BeerHere]

Does anyone here actually consider Wrigley to be a "family friendly atmosphere"?

 

Believe me, I'm no wsox fan, but the park has a lot of cool stuff for kids to do in addition to watching the game with their parents. Some of the best memories I have as a kid were going to Cubbie games with my Dad. My wife and I are expecting our first in September and there is no way I'm taking my son/daughter anywhere near Wrigley Field with the existing atmosphere. No way.

 

Yeah I see your point, going to a ball park to watch a ball game does seem non-sensical.

:roll:

[Chris]

I can't wait to take my daughter to Wrigley. She's not going this year but it has nothing to do with the park.

[seanimal]

This whole argument about accessibility is ridiculous. Cities diffuse traffic better than suburbs. In fact, the modern-era suburbs are all designed to FUNNEL traffic into narrow corridors. You think getting to the ballpark in Schaumburg will be easier than in Wrigleyville? That's just silly. Try driving to Woodfield Mall on a Saturday in say, November. Now imagine all those people leaving and arriving AT THE SAME TIME. It would be horrible.

[BeerHere]

This whole argument about accessibility is ridiculous. Cities diffuse traffic better than suburbs. In fact, the modern-era suburbs are all designed to FUNNEL traffic into narrow corridors. You think getting to the ballpark in Schaumburg will be easier than in Wrigleyville? That's just silly. Try driving to Woodfield Mall on a Saturday in say, November. Now imagine all those people leaving and arriving AT THE SAME TIME. It would be horrible.

 

Have you ever been to Arlington Park? It's located in Arlington Heights, IL, is close Metra, 90, route 14 and 53 and it has several large parking lots. I'm not sure how many people it holds but its a lot. I've been there when it was packed and had no trouble whatsoever getting to and from the park. Easily accessible for EVERYONE NOT JUST THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY. I'll concede that it doesn't have the nightlife that Wrigleyville has, but not everyone goes to the park to get hammered and hit the bars after a game.

 

And by the way, taking a young child to a ballgame to teach him/her the game is entirely different than going to watch a game.

[Chris]

I have never had any trouble getting to or from Wrigley on my trips. Does it take longer to get out of the park after the game? Maybe. That depends on where your seats are. I'll take the minor inconvenience in this case. Besides, the last thing I want to think about at the park is getting in a rush.

[seanimal]

Have you ever been to Arlington Park? It's located in Arlington Heights, IL, is close Metra, 90, route 14 and 53 and it has several large parking lots. I'm not sure how many people it holds but its a lot. I've been there when it was packed and had no trouble whatsoever getting to and from the park. Easily accessible for EVERYONE NOT JUST THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY. I'll concede that it doesn't have the nightlife that Wrigleyville has, but not everyone goes to the park to get hammered and hit the bars after a game.

 

And by the way, taking a young child to a ballgame to teach him/her the game is entirely different than going to watch a game.

 

I don't live in the city. A well-organized city such as Chicago not only diffuses automobile traffic, but facilitates all kinds of other modes of transportation such as foot, bicycle, train, and bus. These other options, sans-Metra line, which only serves the people along that particular line and helps no one in say, the Southwest Suburbs, are simply not an option in Arlington Heights or Schaumburg.

 

Look, I'm not going to tell anyone how raise their kids/teach them baseball, but it seems to me that the best way to teach a child baseball is not by sitting in the concourse eating nachos while watching the game on a television. I would say with the exception of the bleachers, Wrigley is kid friendly. Wanna know how I came to this conclusion? THERE ARE LOTS OF KIDS THERE. Seems logical enough to me.

[mjohnson71]

Moving from a baseball landmark and storied tradition because it "only has L transportation" and isn't surrounded by a prarie that can't complain about expansion would be a very, very bad idea.

 

Keep the Cubs playing in Chicago, and keep the traditions alive -- among them, getting off the train and walking to the ballpark.

 

And for those that don't live near an L stop? Screw them right, I mean they can't possibly be Cubs fans right? :roll:

 

Where did I mention a prairie?

 

Soldier Field is close to the L, close the two highways, close to a major road for buses and cabs (LakeShore Drive).

 

Have you ever tried to drive to or from a Bears game? It's a nightmare. Also Soldier field is not close to any L stops. It's a hike from the nearest one.

 

Yes and it's close to the Roosevelt stop on the redline. Take a cab or walk from there. I have driven to Bears games, as well as taken the L and buses. I'll admit, none are perfect but at least they are options. With Wrigley, the only viable options are taking the L or driving and parking at a remote lot (which are free and have a free shuttle by the way which is fantastic). They tried to build a remote lot closer to the park and the neighborhood said "No". Buses and cabs are horrible after games.

 

Has anyone here been to a game at BankOne? Or Safeco? Or Turner? All have very good access to public transportation. Not to mention all of the fan/family friendly aspects that I mentioned about the Cell, shorter lines, better statistics, better food, better walkways, better sight lines.....

 

What are you talking about? Since when did Phoenix get light rail/subway? Seattle only has one stupid short monorail line that goes nowhere near Safeco. Atlanta: their train line goes nowhere near Turner.

[RynoRules]

I can't wait to take my daughter to Wrigley. She's not going this year but it has nothing to do with the park.

 

My son will be 4 in Sept. I am toying with the idea of taking him b/c my first game was when I was 4.5. I will probably wait till next Summer though.

[waffle]

I can't wait to take my daughter to Wrigley. She's not going this year but it has nothing to do with the park.

 

My son will be 4 in Sept. I am toying with the idea of taking him b/c my first game was when I was 4.5. I will probably wait till next Summer though.

 

My boy is 3 and has been to the phillies 2x (we live in Philly) and to Wrigley once. Perhaps I am old school but I go to the game to watch baseball and consider all of the OTHER stuff to actually take away from the experience. YOu should have the opportunity to focus on the game, not have my limited attention span bombarded by noise and bright shiny things.

 

If he wants to play, we go to the playground

[SouthSideRyan]

Ugh, this thread has me irritated

 

Me too, but for completely different reasons.

 

Your great memories as a kid of watching games at Wrigley, was it because of the exploding scoreboard and speed pitch they had back then, or was it the rotissierie chicken stand?

 

I would much rather get on a crowded el train than wait for a half hour in a parking lot to get out like you do in every parking lot anywhere in the country. Where do you live that an el to a remote parking lot or an el to a metra doesn't work out for you?

 

Regarding Arlington, unless you were there for the Million, it's irrelevant. Arlington isn't packing in 40,000 a day. I'd be surprised if they're bringing in 10,000.

 

Regarding sight lines, as I already predicted earlier, people look to the obstructed views on the main level and ignore the far superior sight lines in the upper deck. Saying the Cell has better sight lines than Wrigley is ridiculous when you take into account the upper decks.