Ballpark 3: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago White Sox)

Overview: Guaranteed Rate Field is the home of the Chicago White Sox. It’s located on the South Side of Chicago in a rough neighborhood, according to most everyone. Having heard of that reputation, we have stayed very close to this stadium (not venturing in the surrounding neighborhoods) on our visits. We have visited this stadium more than any other stadium besides our home park, Busch Stadium.

The stadium itself is very generic. It’s really lacking in atmosphere. We have sat in the upper level, lower level, suite level and have even done the all inclusive pre game party in right field. All disappointing.

We have found the fans at the park to be the most asinine fans, in general. At the last game we attended vs the Red Sox, we witnessed two separate brawls in the stands and a drunk running onto the field. There are more angry drunks per capita than I have ever seen at a baseball game. We are by no means adverse to foul language, but it always seems to be WAY over the top here.

Another quirk to the stadium: If you buy an upper level seat, you are stuck on the upper level, and vice versa. You are not allowed to go to the lower level concourse. You are trapped. You can get around this when the crowd is super light, because they will close the upper concourse off completely and let you sit in the lower level. But I’d imagine that at games with decent attendance, you are going to have a problem.

Parking: The nice thing about GRF is that there is an L station within walking distance of the Stadium. You can take the Red Line and get off at the Sox Station. The walk is about 3 blocks and you will be fine, as you are walking with the baseball crowd. There are parking lots, too. I believe that they are in the $15-$20 neighborhood. We saw some tailgating in the parking lots. The Red Line is the way to go here.

Kid Activities: In left field, you will find the Kid Zone. It includes a youth sized whiffle ball diamond with batting and pitching cages. The basic kids club is free here for kids 13 and younger and you can sign up ahead of time online. They actually offered a ton of goodies as part of this program. It’s a one time sign up and you do not need to renew each year. They offer first game certificates. When we went, the lines were short and staff was friendly.

Player Accessibility: We have never tried to get autographs at GRF, but it appeared to us that it’s possible IF AND ONLY IF, you are going to buy a lower level ticket. I have heard that some players Uber in and enter near the front gates, but we have never attempted that either.

Conclusion: GRF ranks at the absolute bottom of our list of MLB Stadiums. It lacks personality and aesthetics, and the few bad apples in the crowd make for an unsavory game atmosphere. If you have to choose between Wrigley or GRF while in Chicago, it’s not even close, go to Wrigley.

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