USCF looks all different --

[cwsox]

was in Chicago this weekend for church business - on Friday as I was driving by USCF I almost smacked the car in front of me - I was so stunned by what USCF looks like I was gaping at that rather than traffic - those top 9 rows are really missing - totally gone except for the corners which are obviously next to go - it creates a much lower profile for the ballpark. Heading south on the JFK/Dan Ryan from the north, you can't even see the park where the highway jogs east - roof gone, seats gone, concrete gone -

 

I drove around the park a little bit today on the way home and it is very strange to see it with the top gone.

 

Here's a thought - I have seasons tickets so I am getting to what games I want, but hw much seating have we lost - opening day, scrubs series, etc., seating is going to be bit more precious - that is a lot of seats gone -

 

and long term beyond 2003 thee is no way the seating capacity can be reduced by that amount. Somewhere new seating will have to to be installed to replace the thousands of seats lost. I couldn't care less about a right field porch - I sit where I sit and nothing is going to change that - but something will have to go in somewhere to replace the lost seats.

[witesoxfan]

Really? I think the main question from most people would be 'Does it look nice?"

 

I don't know why JR continually does this. I can understand renovating the stadium some, but don't do it too incredibly much. It is, by far, the nicest stadium in Chicago(Wrigley Field can't touch USCF). It's just that we can not market the team at all.

 

I think winning cures all. Get some very smart men up in the front office, some very smart men in the dugout, and spend your money WISELY. I'm sick of this $10 mill over 2 years s*** to a guy like Koch or $8 mill a year over 3 years to a guy like Konerko. If we can get Konerko for $5 mill a year, I'm a little happier about it, but holy s***, you spend that much money on one or two guys, and you're screwed.

 

Thanks for the update cw.

[Flash Tizzle]

was in Chicago this weekend for church business - on Friday as I was driving by USCF I almost smacked the car in front of me - I was so stunned by what USCF looks like I was gaping at that rather than traffic - those top 9 rows are really missing - totally gone except for the corners which are obviously next to go - it creates a much lower profile for the ballpark.  Heading south on the JFK/Dan Ryan from the north, you can't even see the park where the highway jogs east - roof gone, seats gone, concrete gone - 

 

I drove around the park a little bit today on the way home and it is very strange to see it with the top gone.

 

Here's a thought - I have seasons tickets so I am getting to what games I want, but hw much seating have we lost - opening day, scrubs series, etc., seating is going to be bit more precious - that is a lot of seats gone -

 

and long term beyond 2003 thee is no way the seating capacity can be reduced by that amount.  Somewhere new seating will have to to be installed to replace the thousands of seats lost.  I couldn't care less about a right field porch - I sit where I sit and nothing is going to change that - but something will have to go in somewhere to replace the lost seats.

I know some of the 6,000 (or so) seats removed will be replaced by the home run porch being built next off season. Im sure those involved considered how much money would be lost from the rows in the upper deck, but they probably believe more will be made with the ballpark becoming more fan friendly.

 

All these additions seem slated towards the average baseball fan; who are normally the ones who complain about the steepness of the upper deck. Most of us care more about the team itself then the appearance of the stadium. Although the additions dont hurt, I plan to go to the park to watch baseball and not stare at ivy.

[The Critic]

Well, as you well realize, cw, the highest upper deck seats were rarely a concern. They were usually empty anyway. I'm sure they have some long-term plans to add seating. I wouldn't be surprised ( or upset ) at all to see HR porches on both ends of the outfield. As long as it's done in a style fitting the scheme of the park ( which I am very excited about ), it's OK by me.

 

As for the "I wish they'd revamp the team" faction, I submit that the park has detracted from the image of the White Sox even when the teams were very good, so changing the look and reputation of the park is an important step IMO. The players come and go, and will continue to do so. We all want to see a winner on the South Side, and I believe we will fairly soon. I'm just glad that MOST of the people making fun of USCF will have to shut up soon, when they'll have to admit that it's a FAR better place to see a ballgame than the Decaying Confines.

[Guest JimH]

This years capacity will be about 38,000 and then the home run porch will be built in RF, and capacity will be back around 45,000.

 

I was down there yesterday as well. The change in dramatic, lopping off those top rows really makes a difference from the outside at least.

[cwsox]

1. This years capacity will be about 38,000 and then the home run porch will be built in RF, and capacity will be back around 45,000.

 

2. I was down there yesterday as well.  The change in dramatic, lopping off those top rows really makes a difference from the outside at least.

1. Thy gotta do somehing to replace the lost seating so that sounds s logical - is that confirmed they will do that?

 

2. yeah it does - stunningly dramataic difference in the appearance of the park.

[SoxFan1]

I like what I hear!

[cwsox]

Well, as you well realize, cw, the highest upper deck seats were rarely a concern. They were usually empty anyway.

they were used enough, not only the big series but as well even on normal gate games for groups and such, there were always people in them maybe from 520 through 540, although granted, got jammed, but people there. On many Saturday nights large groups were in some those seats. The loss of the seats will make it more cozy but that is a lot of revenue lost in 2004 despite the sporadic and episodic use of the upper now gone rows. And that was where we all headed when it rained, and sometimes, when the sun was just too much. Oh well, a new home run porvh will delighlt people who don't like the upper deck (which I love) and it will replace those seats we lose - a lot of seats to lose.

[Molto]

living just two blocks away from the park, it has been pretty cool to see the renovations unfold.

 

you always were able to see USC from anywhere it seems as this big old building, but now, it looks much more cozy from afar. looks like a legit baseball field and not some big ass building.

[Guest JimH]

I stopped for lunch at Tacos Erendira and you can really notice the difference looking east down 35th St.

 

So far, so good, it looks like a nice improvement.

 

By the way, it looks like they've finally decided to build something at the corner of 35th and Halsted (NW corner), it's been vacant for quite awhile.

 

Plans call for a bank, a Caribou Coffee, 60+ condos, and a Gale Street Inn restaurant (branch of the one on Milwaukee Ave.). There are rumors they're going to call the complex "Comiskey Place" or "Comiskey Center", something like that.

 

Very glad to see development in the neighborhood, and a Gale Street Inn will be a welcome addition.

[greg775]

Glad to see them fixing the park.

You'd think if Reinsdork cares about using Cell One money to fix the park, he actually

cares about the team and would pay to bring a winner here.

[DBAHO]

How much is that sponsorship deal that U.S Cell is actually payin Jerry Reinsdorf worth?

[SuperSteve]

How much is that sponsorship deal that U.S Cell is actually payin Jerry Reinsdorf worth?

Wasn't it like $63 million over many several years.

[BrandoFan]

Wasn't it like $63 million over many several years.

30 year nr lease, no?

 

 

I embraced the uniqueness of NC, concerete ballmall and all. Sure, it's ugly but it's MY ugly, which is more preferrable to anyone ELSE's pretty. Not that most of the newly-built stadiums tickle my fancy, mind you. They don't.

 

Plus watching, you know, the actual GAME from a comfortable lower deck, behind the plate seat for which I didn't pay (last year it wasn't as easy to move up), I didn''t have much time nor inclination to judge the park's archetectural and aesthetic merits.

 

However, we DO live in a fairly superficial society, so I undestand why a fan-challenged organization would want to pretty it up a bit. For the casuals and tourists and such.

[Rex Hudler]

I don't know why JR continually does this. I can understand renovating the stadium some, but don't do it too incredibly much.

 

Duh! That's what the naming rights sponsorship was for. The ballpark has been criticized from day 1 and now you are complaining they are trying to make it better?

 

It is, by far, the nicest stadium in Chicago(Wrigley Field can't touch USCF). It's just that we can not market the team at all.

 

Obviously, lots of people disagree with you there on that.

 

Thy gotta do somehing to replace the lost seating so that sounds s logical - is that confirmed they will do that?

 

I am sure some seats will be replaced, but there is no compelling reason to have all those seats that are empty 95% of the time. Until the demand approaches supply, there is no reason to have excess supply.

 

but that is a lot of revenue lost in 2004 despite the sporadic and episodic use of the upper now gone rows

 

I submit to you that less seats will increase revenues in the long run.

[Pastime]

Rex,

 

I will be criticized (or will I?), but USCF is a better place. Wrigley is an old run-down cow pasture. Oh wait, they have that all important ivy. Pffffft.

 

I've been to 10 Cubs games (I hang my head in sorrow for admitting that), and I've been to at least 50 Sox games in the last 10 years.

 

I like USCF better. The food is better, the conversation is better, the fans are better, and the facilities are better. One of Wrigley's many special features is the ability to stand in not only your own, but other people's urine as well. Hooray. Plus, at USCF, I get to talk to REAL baseball fans who know the game, not a bunch of drunken preppies who think that "Ryne Sandberg has gotten smaller, hasn't he?" It's Mark Grudzielaniek, you morons.

 

When the place is done, it will be a cooler place to see a baseball game than before. Unlike the North Side Shrine - or as I call it - "The World's Largest Singles Bar." Let me know if you go next year, and I'll meet up with ya. Your first beer is on me.

 

P.S. Wrigley Field hot dogs blow. :fthecubs

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

I stopped for lunch at Tacos Erendira and you can really notice the difference looking east down 35th St.

 

So far, so good, it looks like a nice improvement.

 

By the way, it looks like they've finally decided to build something at the corner of 35th and Halsted (NW corner), it's been vacant for quite awhile.

 

Plans call for a bank, a Caribou Coffee, 60+ condos, and a Gale Street Inn restaurant (branch of the one on Milwaukee Ave.).  There are rumors they're going to call the complex "Comiskey Place" or "Comiskey Center", something like that.

 

Very glad to see development in the neighborhood, and a Gale Street Inn will be a welcome addition.

Gale Steet Inn has fabulous ribs.

[cwsox]

I am a native NW sider - all of my life long friends are also N and NW siders who have always been loyal Sox fans - I ate at the Gale Street Inn many, many times -

 

I'm not sure how I feel about something so quintessential NW side going to the South Side!

 

And with the reduced upper deck, we can't even say it would be going in the shadow of USCF, which would have made it better!

 

As far away from Gale Street the new branch of Gale Street Inn will be, can't stop progress!

 

[southsider2k5]

That is funny CW, but I was just going to start the exact same thread this morning. I drove into work this morning and was in shock when I saw it. I am very much in the camp of loving what has gone on in the rennovations over the past few years. I have been to a bunch of ballparks, and Comiskey is taking its place, slowly but surely, as the best facility I have seen.

[Rex Hudler]

Rex,

 

I will be criticized (or will I?), but USCF is a better place.  Wrigley is an old run-down cow pasture.  Oh wait, they have that all important ivy.  Pffffft.

 

I've been to 10 Cubs games (I hang my head in sorrow for admitting that), and I've been to at least 50 Sox games in the last 10 years.

 

I like USCF better.  The food is better, the conversation is better, the fans are better, and the facilities are better.  One of Wrigley's many special features is the ability to stand in not only your own, but other people's urine as well.  Hooray.  Plus, at USCF, I get to talk to REAL baseball fans who know the game, not a bunch of drunken preppies who think that "Ryne Sandberg has gotten smaller, hasn't he?"  It's Mark Grudzielaniek, you morons. 

 

When the place is done, it will be a cooler place to see a baseball game than before.  Unlike the North Side Shrine - or as I call it - "The World's Largest Singles Bar."  Let me know if you go next year, and I'll meet up with ya.  Your first beer is on me.   

 

P.S.  Wrigley Field hot dogs blow. :fthecubs

Past....

 

Your opinions of USCF are fair and accurate. I happen to like the place, however, I really like Wrigley too. Not having the hatred for the Cubs that many Sox fans do, it allows me to enjoy both ballparks. I do think however, that you are in the minority and that the numbers will tell you people still like Wrigley Field better. There are many reasons for that, but that is not the topic here.

 

I am looking forward to seeing the renovations to USCF. I have never sat in the upper deck there (and don't plan to lol), but I think the ballpark has gotten a bad rap.

 

I am more of a Vienna guy, rather than Best (they serve Best at both Wrigley and USCF, don't they?) so I get a hot dog outside Wrigley before the game. Sometimes I get a dog at USCF, sometimes not.

 

The good news is that magically about a month or two ago, they started selling Vienna Beef Dogs in groceries down here in Bama. So now I have great dogs and great Chicago pizza down here. What else am I missing? LOL

 

Past, if I make it back to Chitown next summer, I'd happily let you but me a beer. I just wish the schedule makers would make it easier to see games at both places without having to have a day off in between. Couple years ago I was able to catch a day game at Wrigley and a night game at Comiskey. That doesn't happen too often.

[Guest JimH]

Rex, I will buy you the 2nd beer, and show a good place close to the park to get a Vienna.

[Rex Hudler]

Rex, I will buy you the 2nd beer, and show a good place close to the park to get a Vienna.

Any body else want to buy me a beer? LOL

[mreye]

And that was where we all headed when it rained, and sometimes, when the sun was just too much.

I think they're going to put a roof on that almost completely cover the UD. You know I love the UD too. I hope this doesn't invite too many people up there.

[The Critic]

Your opinions of USCF are fair and accurate.  I happen to like the place, however, I really like Wrigley too.  Not having the hatred for the Cubs that many Sox fans do, it allows me to enjoy both ballparks.  I do think however, that you are in the minority and that the numbers will tell you people still like Wrigley Field better.  There are many reasons for that, but that is not the topic here. 

Wrigley is a nice piece of nostalgia, but USCF is a FAR better place to watch a baseball game. It is better in every aspect - PARKING LOTS, for one. Also better food, better sight lines, NO sitting behind posts, better scoreboard, better fans, tailgating ( see parking lots ), and so on.

 

The ONLY thing the Decaying Confines have over USCF is that the place looks more like a ballpark, and the Sox are working on that.

 

USCF will never dislodge Real Comiskey from the #1 spot in my heart ( it is, after all, where I saw my first game, and I'll never forget walking up to the place and smelling the cigar smoke from the guys in front of me ), but it is a DAMN nice place to see a game, and as it stands right now it's a HUNDRED TIMES better than the Decaying Confines, and only getting better.

[BrandoFan]

I do think however, that you are in the minority and that the numbers will tell you people still like Wrigley Field better. There are many reasons for that, but that is not the topic here.

 

Din'cha momma teach you the majority is always wrong?

 

 

USCF is simply a better place to watch and play the actual baseball GAME. Better field, better view, better seats, better food, better facilities, better urinals and, yes, better people.

 

Dogging coeds and soaking up the "history" has its appeal, no doubt. Wriggley wins that I do admit.