Sold out at US Cellular Field? Don’t Drive
I never drive to US Cellular Field, especially for a sold out game. I always take the train (unless I am going with my grandfather who uses his old man tricks to park close to the ballpark). I believe the last time I drove to US Cellular Field for a sold out game was the 2003 Futures Game. Yesterday, I decided to attend the Cubs at White Sox game. Since I was working in the northwest suburbs of Chicago I had no choice but to drive.
The drive to the ballpark was relatively easy. It was trying to park which was the pain. Oh, and I also did not have a ticket yet. I arrived in the area around 2:35 pm – 30 minutes until game time. Signs heading to the ballpark said “Cash Parking: Take 39th St.” – 4 blocks south of the ballpark. Next thing I knew, all the lots were full and I was parking on 30th and State St. (5 blocks north and over one mile to US Cellular Field - http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-34Vc4FMGjPWvHlzi).
Of course, somehow this was an “official” White Sox parking lot so the cost was the same as parking in the main lots - $22. While sitting in traffic, I used my blackberry to check chicago.craigslist.org. I realized I was going to be late and thought the scalpers may sell all of their tickets if there were enough buyers. I found a post stating "Still need Cubs vs Sox Today on Location for pickup! - $50 (Uppers and Lowers!)". The price was in the range of what I researched in the morning so I told them I would buy an upper deck single.
After parking and picking up my ticket, there were a few more scalpers who still had extra tickets so I may have paid too much but as with any ticket purchase, I paid a little more to ensure I had a ticket.
I sat down as the Cubs were batting in the top of the 2nd inning. In the top of the 3rd inning, Jose Contreras got Derrek Lee to ground into a bases loaded double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Nick Swisher hit a grand slam to top off a 7 run inning which the Cubs could not come back from.
As with any rivalry game, the fans were fighting in the stands adding to the entertainment of a blow out game. After the game, I still had the one mile walk back to the car. I had hoped I would find a new restaurant or bar on the walk back, but had no luck. Jimbo’s is still the main local establishment I know about.
The drive to the ballpark was relatively easy. It was trying to park which was the pain. Oh, and I also did not have a ticket yet. I arrived in the area around 2:35 pm – 30 minutes until game time. Signs heading to the ballpark said “Cash Parking: Take 39th St.” – 4 blocks south of the ballpark. Next thing I knew, all the lots were full and I was parking on 30th and State St. (5 blocks north and over one mile to US Cellular Field - http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-34Vc4FMGjPWvHlzi).
Of course, somehow this was an “official” White Sox parking lot so the cost was the same as parking in the main lots - $22. While sitting in traffic, I used my blackberry to check chicago.craigslist.org. I realized I was going to be late and thought the scalpers may sell all of their tickets if there were enough buyers. I found a post stating "Still need Cubs vs Sox Today on Location for pickup! - $50 (Uppers and Lowers!)". The price was in the range of what I researched in the morning so I told them I would buy an upper deck single.
After parking and picking up my ticket, there were a few more scalpers who still had extra tickets so I may have paid too much but as with any ticket purchase, I paid a little more to ensure I had a ticket.
I sat down as the Cubs were batting in the top of the 2nd inning. In the top of the 3rd inning, Jose Contreras got Derrek Lee to ground into a bases loaded double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Nick Swisher hit a grand slam to top off a 7 run inning which the Cubs could not come back from.
As with any rivalry game, the fans were fighting in the stands adding to the entertainment of a blow out game. After the game, I still had the one mile walk back to the car. I had hoped I would find a new restaurant or bar on the walk back, but had no luck. Jimbo’s is still the main local establishment I know about.
Labels: Chicago White Sox
posted by Ultimate Sports Fan, Andrew @ 9:27 AM
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