Help me pick the right seat location

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 25, 2008 5:36 PM CDT Comment 20 comments

My wife and I will be making the trip to my old home town in August, with a day game at Wrigley at the top of the agenda (along with some family visiting, of course).

I haven't been to the ballyard since the Sandberg era, and not regularly since the Banks/Williams/Jenkins/Santo era, so my knowledge of the seating chart is pretty sketchy.

After looking over what's available on StubHub (I hate using them, but I don't want to have to do the day-of-game scalping thing with my wife), it looks like I could afford something in the infield part of the Terrace (boxes or front part of the reserved section) or something in the front row or two of the upper deck (which I recall is a pretty nice perspective, and one I think my wife would enjoy).

Are there any sections that are especially good or bad? We don't want to be in the direct sun; am I right in remembering that the 3d base side would be shady (the game we're looking at is a 1:20 start)? And are the first couple rows of the upper deck under the roof (not that it's going to rain - no, no, no)?

Thanks in advance for the BCB advice - and man, I can't wait to see the ivy again!

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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Bleachers

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

by DTJchris on Jun 25, 2008 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

roger that!

Have been to 6 games. 1 per year as I am 6 hours from Wrigley but thats the only place to sit. Its hot and not very comfortable but its the greatest view of the entire field. The only draw back would be the “fans” that yap the entire game. I have had to tell people to shut up before but they left in the 4th so that was ok.

by pickupman21 on Jun 25, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers are the only way to go

"Okay, just so I understand it...in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil."- Jim Halpert

by ryanbrixenivy on Jun 26, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For me too, of course.

But I’m guessing buying them on StubHub, as this poster has to do, is probably prohibitively expensive.

I’d suggest also posting a request on the Ticket Exchange here at BCB—maybe someone here will have some that he could buy at face.

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

by Al on Jun 26, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's so funny...

....that bleacher seats cost as much or more than very decent reserved seats. Just goes to show how much people like them!

And believe me, if it were just me, or me and a guy friend or two, we’d be bleaching it – that’s where I spent most of my time as a young fella, back when it was 50 cents to get in (!). I think my honey will have a better time in the grandstand, though, and I want it to be very enjoyable for her so that we can come back again and again.

And thanks, Al – I have posted on the Ticket Exchange thread; with luck, something good will come through.

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

"The only thing that bothers me is that I would never want to destroy the love and what the fans of Chicago are to the Chicago Cubs. I mean, God knows. If there's one pure thing in baseball, it is the fans of Chicago." - Lee Elia, 2008

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 26, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually not

Bleacher seats are probably around $100 for this game where as actually GOOD
reserve seats run a bit more depending on your definition of decent. But for
tickets without any obstruction that are on or near the baselines they go for
more than bleachers.
When I put tickets on stubhub I am just amazed at what people ask. They want
$100 for LIMITED VIEW seats. I have problem’s with Craig’s because both buyers and
sellers can be very unreliable.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 26, 2008 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What date exactly ?

I can take a gander a stubhub. You have to be VERY careful on terrace reserve infield seats as the majority do have some obstruction but only those directly behind posts marked “limited view” will get give you a heads up. My new pet peave with Stubhub
( which I freely confess is my new best friend as I need them to help me cover travel expenses and the MLB deal with them for season ticket holders is disgustingly easy and
lucritive) is folks who list tickets as ” POSSIBLE limited view” or “MARKED limited view”
Right like tickets that say limited view won’t be limited view. I don’t think so. Personally
I hate the upper deck I would try the terrace outfield seats if you can get ones one or two
sections over and not all the way down the line. Again if you tell me what day I can look
at stubhub and suggest some.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 25, 2008 6:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

vs. Washington, Friday, Aug. 22

Thanks, Doggie! Really appreciate any thoughts….

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 25, 2008 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Upper deck seats...

... between the bases in the first 2-3 rows have excellent views of the entire field, if you’re willing to climb up there.

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

by Al on Jun 26, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terrace reserved

All will generally be under the second deck. First 6 rows are in front or next to the poles….I think that section is called terrace box. Sun will be in the last 3 sections near the RF pole. One thing to worry about is if you are in row 20 or so of terrace reserved you can’t see the scoreboard (the big green one at least…)

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08

by Fuk-U-Meter on Jun 25, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Upper Deck Box, somewhere even with first base or third base.

Amazing view of the field, the neighborhood, and the skyline (only from the third base side). My favorite seats.

"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 Jun 25, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I concur

When I was in teens or younger the old Grandstand was great, but I have sat there in my adult and the roof is too close…..in my 20’s I liked the atmosphere in the Bleachers, then in my 30’s I had company seats on the front row at the Cubs dugout…..super experience and would take it in a minute on someone else’s [mucho] dollars, but in my 40’s and 50’s I have come to really enjoy the 2nd row of the upper deck between the bases.

The fans up there are better behaved, it is a great view, good access to the rest room and venders, and I use the handicap elevator (it is on the left field side).

I caught my second foul ball up there, (first was Pete Rose, but my brother did a Sandlot and played baseball with the first one and lost it!) at the game that President Clinton was at. We had the view of him with the promotional products tycoon, saw one of Abbott’s last games and watched Sosa slam one in the street. Blauser hit the foul ball that I caught.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 25, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1st foul ball I caught was in KC, off the bat of Frank White.

"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 Jun 25, 2008 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Front of upper deck....

....is one of the (many) things my wife and I agree on. We like that perspective. So this seems like a good candidate.

And the 3B side is shady, right?

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 25, 2008 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depends on the game time.

Both sides get a bit of sun.

"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 Jun 25, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

The upper deck boxes offer a much better view than the terrace reserved seats. The terrace is guaranteed to be in the shade as well covered in the event of rain but watching the game, especially toward the back, is like looking out of a cave. The front rows of the UD along the 1st base line will get direct sunlight for most of the game but you’ll be in the shade along 3rd.

We sell spatulas...and that's all.

by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 26, 2008 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A great resource on location of posts

is this article.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Jun 25, 2008 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Awesome article – thanks!

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 25, 2008 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in 200 level

not above row 12 as you cannot see the fly balls off of the bat because of the luxury boxes.

by BigFuko on Jun 26, 2008 6:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you all!

This was an extremely helpful discussion and I think I’m ready to make a good decision – much appreciated, and hey, maybe I’ll get to say hi to some of you on Aug. 22.

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 26, 2008 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs