Where's the BEST place to sit at a game?

by coral on Feb 24, 2008 4:38 PM CST Comment 42 comments

Forgive me if this has already been asked....but this is a question I've always wondered....Where is the BEST place to view a game? To see the most possible aspects of the game. I know it depends on the park and everyone has finacial restrictions, but if money were no object....

Last year I was behind the plate, great spot to see players but not to see the finer points of the game.

I have tickets for seats that look to be right at the infield/outfield line on the 1st base side. Will these be good seats to see most of the action? Are upper decks bad?

What do people think ?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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This is all personal preference

If it was me, it would be the first row of the upper deck between either baseline.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Feb 24, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

To be within reason Id take first row upper deck on the aisle. The issue with the bleachers, although I love hangin out during BP, you have to get there pretty early to ensure a nice spot.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 24, 2008 5:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Upper Deck Box

I'm fortunate to share season tix in 417 / first row.

I've sat just about everywhere in Wrigley over the past 30 years and feel that every level brings its own wonderful perspective. But for me, upper deck boxes give the best overall view and quite honestly, rows 1-10 between the bases are awesome seats.

Just my 2 cents...

by joz132 on Feb 24, 2008 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

First row upper deck

My dad shares season tix in 416 row 1! My dad and I go weekdays and my dad and brother are there on Saturdays. What seats are you in? I wonder if we've seen each other at Wrigley and not known it. Will you be at Opening Day?

I too have had the opportunity to sit all over the park and you do get a different perspective from each seat.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Feb 25, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I third this position.

Took my wife, who'd only seen baseball on tv, and her comment after the game was "Now I get baseball." She'd seen the whole game and loved it. She still hates to watch it on tv, so I took her straight from novice to purist, but, at any rate, these seat give an unparalleled view of the field. I recommend, either baseline, about 2-3 rows behind the base.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 24, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed................or..........

1st row terrace box behind home. Aisle seats of course..........maybe one of those sections with only 4 seats!

by plenz on Feb 24, 2008 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In those 1st row terrace boxes...

... don't you get too many people walking in front of you, with the aisle right there? I'd think a row or two higher would be better.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 6:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

I've never liked terrace seats for that very reason. Give me upper deck boxes any day.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 24, 2008 6:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Front row behind first

Were they mine to take, I'd go with seats near the front about halfway between home and first. From there one gets a great view of the pitcher's motion, the north/south axis of the strike zone, and a lot of the game's smaller action happens right there. Because vendors (especially those selling tall items like cotton candy or giant foam hands) can obstruct views I always prefer to sit several rows above a walkway. Similarly, I prefer the exact middle of the row so that the shortest route to the thundercan for everyone else doesn't go through me -- also fewer interruptions from other fans' transactions with vendors.

by Copter OBob on Feb 24, 2008 11:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

First row upper deck hovering over home plate is a great view!

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Feb 25, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Upper Deck boxes

for me, behind home, give the absolutely best perspective in Wrigley for seeing everything with the naked eye, imo. First few rows are fine by me.

I have sat in every section just about since 1966 - and this is the great thing about Wrigley: every view is interesting, and has a different "flavor".

LF/RF Bleachers, dug-out boxes, terrace reserved, etc.

However, as sanatone states - this is like asking what is best on a hot dog, which chicago pizza is the best, etc. Just personal preference.

I once sat in the first row behind home plate with Woody on the mound in his early years. To see the ball come in and smack the catcher's glove was pretty impressive.

The only thing I do not like are Terrace Reserved seating where overhang or poles are in your view.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Feb 24, 2008 5:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Off topic

My friend and is Dad jut agreed on price to buy a house 2 blocks down Kenmore, 4 houses South of Dakin. I am moving to the neighborhood. Fortunately my buddy bought 18 bleacher tickets for one Saturday Cards game and 12 to another. The party is going to be very nice. I believe sometime this season we would lay out an open party.

3 flat with LOTS OF SPACE, large backyard and sideyard. Sorry for this, but its a big day

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 24, 2008 5:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice

I'm jealous. I've always wanted to live near Wrigley. Closest I got was about 7 blocks away, on Aldine.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 24, 2008 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just under 2 blocks away

...with a view of the upper deck from the alley and the street.. Lets call it 1.5 blocks. It will be nice to watch the games from home with the windows open.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 24, 2008 7:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i love sitting

right a couple of rows behind the dugout...never had the bleacher expierence yet

WhErE's My CuBs?!?!

by tbizzle83 on Feb 24, 2008 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley Field Bleachers

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Feb 24, 2008 6:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Seconded!

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

isn't that a bit far away?

for the best place to 'see' the game I would want to be in the first row of the upper deck in the infield.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Feb 24, 2008 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of seeing

and I know this is a family site, but I've got a question for Al:

Of all the years of sitting out in the bleachers, how many times have you seen drunken frat girls flashing you or just flashing in general? Thanks.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 24, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

From personal experience,

this is usually a case of "all that glitters is not gold," if you catch my drift...

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 24, 2008 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

This is one stat I haven't kept track of. A few times, including one OUTSIDE the bleachers.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 8:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My first time at Wrigley...

Will be in the bleachers. Best. Birthday. Ever.

-nick

I bleed blue... and red, but that's not my fault. I didn't get to choose that one.

by BabeRuthPose on Feb 24, 2008 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WORD!

MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Feb 25, 2008 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers vs. upper deck

I'm spoiled. I spent almost all last summer at Wrigley either in the upper deck first row or in the bleachers. You get a different perspective from each seat. There are things you can see from the bleachers you cannot see in the upper deck. Likewise, there are things you can't see from the bleachers. They're very different and offer great perspecties of the game.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Feb 25, 2008 5:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers!

Best view, best atmosphere.

I've sat all over the ballpark and nothing compares to the bleachers. I was skeptical the first time I got tickets for the bleachers (1995), but after sitting there, I won't sit anywhere else.

BELIEVE!

by cubbie08 on Feb 24, 2008 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

My Favorite Spot...

... is right in front of the 60" TV at home with my 2-year-old son running around yelling "Go Cubbies"!

Seriously, this year I sat several times in aisle 17 row 5, which is a little bit up the third base line between the dugout and home plate... basically, right behind the Cubs on-deck circle.

Great seats!

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 24, 2008 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Years ago

....in my first visit to Wrigley, I was 21, and rather naive. I arrived at the game by bus from the hotel on Michigan Avenue. I went to my seat which was right behind home plate. Seems like there were chairs inside an enclosure then. I proceeded to buy beer from the vendors and when the game started, I was pretty drunk. Then I tried to sober up so I could grab the bus back.
When was this, a person might ask?
1952.

by Butchoh31 on Feb 24, 2008 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Did the Cubs

win?

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 25, 2008 3:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I remember

Not only do I not remember if they won, I don't remember who played or who pitched, although I was an ardent fan then.
But maybe this explains it. The next day I went to a White Sox game at Old Comiskey.
I don't remember if they won, either, but the people who surrounded me leaving the park scared me plenty.
Long, long ago.

by Butchoh31 on Feb 25, 2008 7:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Quick brain check...

what did you just post above?

Just makin sure this isn't a neurological issue.

MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Feb 25, 2008 4:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bleechers

are the best. ecspecially as a 19 year old college student. Its quite exciting there being in the first row. I was probably in the first row in hte bleechers for like 4 or 5 games last year, and it was a whole different experience then sitting anywhere else. I was just intoxicated yelling at the other teams players during bp (mostly the Marlins ha). You can see the whole game so good from the bleechers and you feel so close to the field. definitley the best.

by Glacier on Feb 24, 2008 9:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Upper deck infield

I have very poor eyesight. So the upper deck box seats at Wrigley or loge/mezzanine at other parks is a great place to see the ball off the bat. The birdseye view is crucial for me.

A lot of it, I think, depends on what you are looking for.

"It's a long fly to left field. And there it goes. Ahhh crap." -- Harry Caray

by cubz1963 on Feb 24, 2008 11:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're right about the loge seats...

... particularly at Miller Park, where the 200 level seats in between the bases give an excellent view of the entire field.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 8:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Been in many places in Wrigley

I like them all. Towards the end of the time I actually lived in Chicago, the right field bleachers was "home" for me, and the crew of ne'er-do-wells I hung with regularly. Also, lower deck on both first and third, boxes, reserved, whatever, poaching open seats from standing room if I thought I'd get away with it.

Never been in the upper deck, best I can recall.

On hot days, if you're in the bleachers, stand right under the scoreboard - you're in the shade and there's almost always a nice breeze.

by MN exile on Feb 25, 2008 1:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If money were no object...

it'd be right behind the Cubs dugout, Club Box close to the steps they go up to the on-deck circle. If more sun is the object, then it'd have to be at the visitors dugout but at the end of it, near 1st base.

Since it's totally illogical for me making 81 visits a season, 100 miles per roundtrip, I settle for a couple dozen times in the bleachers; near either power alley, top row to snag potential Waveland shots when I sit in LF. It's not as nice as before [the expansion] when I had a chance to jump up against that back fence though.

On [warm] rain potential days, it's sandles, loose shirt and swim trunks.

The Cubs remain I think the last team in MLB with the policy, "you need a bleacher ticket to get into the bleachers". Sounds stupid to some, but tix to the other 36k seats won't allow you into the bleachers at the old North side ball yard.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 25, 2008 7:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Next to any one of these babes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnCWpKaMBUM

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Feb 25, 2008 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hate the entire upper deck

It is a totally personal thing and while I suppose the upper
deck gives you an 'overview" to me it makes Wrigley just another
stadium. I enjoy my season seats which are just past third roughly 35 rows back from the field and unobstructed. My ideal
seat would probably be a few sections closer to the plate and
about 4 rows up but I am very happy with what I have. I split
my time between these seats and the bleachers so in my mind
I get the best of both worlds. I have sat in boxes near the field and enjoy it but I prefer to be a little further back for perspective.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Feb 25, 2008 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Infield Terrace Reserve or Boxes....

down the third base line. What's great about being down the third base line is that you have a perfect view of the arc of the ball when it's hit, and you can almost tell instantly if it's a home run or not. Other places in the park, you have to rely on the crack of the bat (sometimes you can still tell instantly) or the reaction of the hitter and left fielder.

A lot of people mentioned the Upper Deck boxes too. I once had second row upper deck boxes right behind home plate, in front of the pressbox. These were some of the best seats I have ever had.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 25, 2008 12:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Another

Once a year, starting last year and once this year, a company called Ryerson Tull invites my Dad to stay in the suites just under the upper deck. Last year I literally was DIRECTLY sitting in one in line with home plate and the mound. I was directly behind home plate, with Hendry and McDonough sitting two boxes over. So you know these ARE AWESOME.

It was the game where Kevin Hart made his debut and I recall being able to see the movement on his cutter fairly easily

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 25, 2008 1:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Depends on the club seating

At Wrigley, the upper deck is pretty low. The best seats I ever had for game watching were section 421, row 1, right next to the WGN cameraman above home plate. Unfortunately, the Mets swept the Cubs in a DH...

At stadiums with a big club section, the upper deck is too high. If money is not an object, I prefer to be about 20 rows up on the third base side, between home and third (at Wrigley this would be probably section 114)

Last September, I went to one of the late Cubs-Reds games, and sat in the bleachers for the first time at Wrigley. I generally do not like bleacher seating, too far away from the action, too much sun for a day game. But we were literally underneath the scoreboard, with a railing in front of us and a place for our drinks. Far away, but an awesome perspective.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Feb 25, 2008 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Best seats I ever had

Were last year. Aisle 31, row 1. Directly behind the visitor's dugout where the Reds came in and out after each inning. We were so close we could actually hear the conversations the players were having as they trotted back in from the field. My son and nephew were thrilled when Reds players rolled them balls over the dugout. We had almost as good a view of calls at first base as the umpire.

Although the seats were a bit low, so they didn't provide the perspective of the upper deck, if I could have my pick of season tickets, these would be it. We were lucky to get them at all - my father-in-law won them in an auction - just for that one game. Not sure who normally sits there.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 26, 2008 12:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs