In my second Sunday night baseball game of the season, the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2. As with any sporting event, the fan’s day is defined by the game’s start time. For example, since yesterday’s Cubs game started at 7:05 pm, fans in Chicago had the option of enjoying a Sunday afternoon exploring Chicago or partaking in the “Red Line doubleheader” – the Chicago White Sox game started at 1:05 pm earlier Sunday afternoon.
Instead of attending both baseball games in Chicago, the Ultimate Sports …

With Friday night plans to listen to Grieg’s Piano Concerto at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park, it was hard to imagine that we would be heading to US Cellular Field to watch the Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox. But that is what happened last night, after a major assist from Nicole’s fellow Ph.D. student Christine Wood.
Christine’s girlfriend Katie contacted me stating the Red Sox were in town (Christine’s favorite team) and that we should go with them to one of the games (the Red Sox are …

There is a common philosophical riddle that goes something like this: “When a tree falls in a lonely forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” I am not an expert in philosophy but this existential conundrum seemed to sum up the opening pre-season of the Chicago Bears. Yes, football…in August…its back but no one seemed to notice. 

With two Chicago baseball teams in first place, the last thing most fans want to think about it a fledgling Bears team. …

For the second time in a week, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I headed to Soldier Field. This time it was for the Bears first preseason game of the 2008 season. As usual we took the red line train from Wrigley Field to the Roosevelt el stop. The walk from the subway station to Soldier Field takes around 20 minutes but is worth it if you can avoid the drive.
Obtaining TicketsMost people (including season ticket holders) seem to avoid attending preseason NFL games – the games do not count in …

Midwest kids are taught how to duck and cover from the time they go to pre-school. When the tornado sirens sound, hit the floor, cover your head and ball yourself up as small as possible. Chicago even tests those air raid sirens every first Tuesday of the month.

Monday’s Cubs game against the Astros was not what any fan expected. The first five innings were relatively peaceful. But, we watched as the skies darkened and opened up. It down poured …

Act 1: It had all the makings of a peaceful evening at Wrigley Field – an early 6:05 pm start followed by a BBQ at home. However, as the game continued, the skies over Wrigley Field became darker and darker. We knew a thunderstorm was approaching. What we did not know was the wild evening the weather would provide us.
After Alfonso Soriano grounded out to end the 5th inning (making the game official), it started to downpour and the game was immediately postponed at 7:39 pm. We thought we were …

Barca Barca Barca! 
If you are not a football fan, then I have to clarify that “Barca” is pronounced just like, “Marcia”-  as in the famous, quote by one Jan Brady: Marcia Marcia Marcia! 
If you want to sound like a seasoned soccer fan, then it is these subtleties that are quite important.
Last night at Soldier Field, two famous club teams came together for an exciting friendly. Chivas Guadalajara and FC Barcelona (Futbol Club Barcelona). Of course, FC Barcelona is affectionately known as Barca. These teams are stars …

As I wrote yesterday, I had hoped to beat the $30 face value price buying from ticket scalpers outside of the Soldier Field box office. However, the box office through me for a loop when we arrived and the cheapest ticket was now $60 – Soldier Field had doubled all the ticket prices for buying day of game at the box office. This gave the scalpers a tremendous advantage since they had a $60 price point to work with rather than $30. No scalper would accept under $50 per ticket …

In my 800th Major League Baseball game since 1990 (including Spring Training and Playoff games), the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5. Since I was planning to take the subway to Soldier Field for the Barcelona vs. Chivas game, I was hoping for a quick baseball game. With the game heading to the 8th inning and the Cubs leading the game 5-2, I thought a shortly after 4 pm departure was almost guaranteed – leaving me with enough time to get to Solider Field for the 6 …

Last September, I attended my first Wrigley Field and Soldier Field doubleheader. That day the Cubs played on Sunday afternoon and the Bears played Sunday night football.
Today, I am attending my second Wrigley Field and Soldier Field doubleheader. However, this time the Cubs are playing on Sunday afternoon and Barcelona is playing Chivas Guadalajara Sunday night.
I already have a ticket to today’s Cubs game. My friend, Mike Holzman, called me Friday and said he had an extra ticket.
We do not have tickets yet for the soccer match. Tickets are still …