The Chicago Cubs are moving forward aggressively with Wrigley Field renovations, cutting off negotiations with rooftop owners and expanding the scope of the project. Chairman Tom Ricketts announced the new plan, which will be presented to the city’s Landmarks Commission June 5. It calls for an expansion of Wrigley Field seating, plenty more signage and […]
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Here’s to 100 more years, Wrigley Field
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Wrigley Field: A century since Charles Weeghman opened the gates of the new home of the Chicago Federals. You know the story: The Federal League arose as a challenge to the established National and American League, seeking status as a third major league. The Federal League […]
Ballpark Digest on the road in the Windy City
Limited posting today, as we’re headed to Chicago for the grand opening of Curtis Granderson Stadium, followed by a U.S. Cellular Field trip tonight and the annual trek to Wrigley Field tomorrow. We’ll have a full writeup tomorrow about the grand opening of Curtis Granderson Stadium, a keenly anticipated new home of the University of […]
MLB sets spring-training per-game attendance record
We have a new attendance record for spring training, as MLB teams attracted 8,078 fans per game over 447 games played, surpassing a record set in 2008. In fact, attendance in 2014 pretty much shattered the old record of 7,793 fans per game and far outpaced last year’s total of 7,527 fans per game. The […]
Cactus League attendance up in 2014
With Cubs Park packing in the fans, Cactus League per-game attendance was up in 2014, although the total attendance was slightly down because of fewer game days. Overall, 1.68 million fans attended Cactus League games, according to Cactus League officials. That’s less than the 1.73 million fans attending Cactus League games in 2013, but there’s […]
Mesa launches HoHoKam Park renovations for A’s
The city of Mesa has begun renovations to HoHoKam Park and Fitch Park in anticipation of Oakland Athletics spring training in 2015. This is the last spring training for the A’s at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and Papago Park, as the team agreed to a new HoHoKam Park and Fitch Park lease beginning in 2015. HoHoKam […]
Yes, it’s spring: Part 2
Your second sign of spring today: the Chicago Cubs are preparing for the official opening of Cubs Park tomorrow. Here’s your teaser: a personalized marquee. We’ll have more on the new Mesa ballpark tomorrow. Let’s just say for now that it’s a great addition to the spring-training lineup in Mesa: with great food, lots of […]
Cubs, Mesa dedicate new spring-training ballpark
Nice milestone in Mesa, as the city and the Chicago Cubs this morning dedicated Cubs Park, a new spring-training complex and a rebuilt and enhanced Riverview Park on a 146-acre site. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cubs Park, Cubs board members Tom and Laura Ricketts, front office executives Crane Kenney and Theo Epstein and Hall […]
Cubs Park unveiled to the public
Big opening day for Cubs Park Saturday, as an open house attracted 30,000 fans interested in learning more about the new spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Naturally, we have a full story on our sister site, Spring Training Online. Reaction from those visiting the facility was generally good, though it appears fans are […]
Rooftop owners, Cubs disagree over Wrigley Field renovations
No surprise: the Chicago Cubs front office and owners of rooftop bleachers are still disagreeing over proposed changes to Wrigley Field that could impact the views from beyond the ballpark. It’s a symbiotic relationship to be sure: the Cubs provide the action, and the rooftop owners pay 17 percent of their revenues to sell remote […]
New for 2014: Clark the Cub
For the first time ever the Chicago Cubs have a mascot in the form of Clark, a cute, cuddly bear cub who made his debut today at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center’s Pediatric Developmental Center. “The Cubs are thrilled to welcome Clark as the team’s official mascot,” said Cubs Senior Director of Marketing Alison Miller. […]
Chicago approves Wrigley Field expansion plan
The City Council approved a plan from the Chicago Cubs to expand the walls of Wrigley Field into Sheffield and Waveland avenues, clearing the way for more signage and bleacher party decks. The walls of the ballpark would extend 15 feet on Sheffield Avenue and 16 feet on Waveland Avenue, with both streets losing a […]
Cubs to add more night games; beer plaza in question
The Chicago City Council approved a plan to allow the Chicago Cubs up to 43 night games at Wrigley Field — including a guaranteed 35 — but held off approving a ballpark-side plaza where beer and wine would be sold. Any changes to the operations at Wrigley Field are dependent on two powerful entities signing […]