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Secrets & CBB Inside Information
At CubbiesBaseball.com, we are striving to be the #1 website for the Chicago Cubs and their fans. We would like
to provide the best information to all Cubs fans as to where to park, how to get autographs, when to arrive
at the park, and even how you can get tickets at face value.
Parking
Over the last few years, the neighborhoods close to Wrigley Field have started to zone their parking. This makes it
much harder to park your vehicle near the stadium. Just a few years ago, you could park about 3 blocks away from Wrigley
for free. That is not the case anymore.
Because of these changes, you're almost guaranteed to pay about $20 to park as close as 5 blocks away from Wrigley.
If you do not want to drive to Wrigley, you have three other options. You can take either take the CTA Red Line, you
can ride your bike, or you can park near the De Vry University campus located off Addison St. and Western Avenue. For $6.00, you and
all your companions can park and shuttle to Wrigley Field.
Ride Your Bike
In 2005, the Cubs started to offer a bike check system near the corner of Clark and Waveland at the Car Wash.
Bicycles are claim checked and secured during the game.
Autographs
Since most MLB teams no longer sign many autographs during batting practice, fans have been forced to find other
areas to get their autographs. There are 3 ways to get autographs.
- You can attend Spring Training in Arizona. It is easy to get tickets to these games and in 2004, we were able to get
Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo, Shawn Dunston, Corey Patterson, Moises Alou, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano, Alex Gonzalez,
Todd Hollandsworth, Mark Grudzielanek, and many more. Others around me were able to get Sammy Sosa, Mark Prior and most
other players.
In 2005, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to get Nomar Garciaparra and the newest
member of the Hall of Fame, Ryne Sandberg. In 2007, we were able to get just about every player, including Alfonso Soriano
and Derrek Lee. 2008 provided us with the same success when we were able to get Kosuke Fukudome, Derrek Lee, Geovany Soto,
and many more!
- If traveling to Arizona is not your thing, you can also try the Cubs Convention in Chicago. Though it is usually packed, we have
been able to get autographs from Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Derrek Lee, and many other players over the past
few years. Visit our Cubs Convention section for more information on the next convention.
- If the convention is too busy for you, you can wait for the players after a game. You can go by the player's parking
lot near the corner of Clark and Waveland between the Car Wash and the parking lot. You can usually see most the players,
coaches, and announcers here.
- If you do not want to wait and attempt to fight with people to get autographs, many players will sign what you want if
you send a ball or card to Wrigley Field addressed to them. This information was confirmed from the Locker Room manager
in the Cubs dugout. He told us that, as of 2003, Mark Prior would sign just about anything that was addressed to him at
Wrigley Field.
- Last but not least, many players have both public and private autograph signings. Public autograph signings are usually
hosted around Chicago after day games or on the weekends. Typically a promoter will host a signing and charge a certain
amount depending on the player. This is a quick way to meet and greet a player and get an autograph. In 2008, a player like
Geovany Soto will cost about $40 to $50 depending on what you want signed.
Private autograph signings are usually hosted by area memorabilia dealers. Typically you can call and arrange for your item
to be signed by the player. You usually get a picture of the player signing your item.
These options are costly, but in many cases, the cost is worth it because of the saved time and patience. For more information
on area autograph signings, visit the autograph signing section of CBB.
T-shirts
If you are not interested in paying $20 for a t-shirt, look for the vendors that walk around the stadium before and after the game.
You can usually get t-shirts for $5 or $10 depending on when you find the vendors.
Bleachers
As most Cubs fans know, the Bleachers are the best seats in the park. It is the best spot for the wildest fans as
you get to drink as much as you want, while sitting under the sun. One of the big differences between
the regular seats and the bleachers is that the bleachers are first-come first-serve. Except for playoff
games, the bleachers are open to sit where you please.
The best way to sit within two rows of the wall is to show up to the ballpark when the gates open. This is usually two hours
before game time. If you show up an hour early, expect decent seats a few rows off the wall. Expect to either be standing or
sitting below the scoreboard if you show up to the bleachers at or after the start of the game.
One of the benefits of the bleachers is that between innings, the Cubs outfielders will throw balls into the crowd. The left
fielder usually rotates between the left field side of the stadium and the left field bleachers. The center fielder will throw
balls to left-center and right-center bleachers and the right fielder will throw balls to the right field bleachers
and the right field stadium seats.
Early Birds
There are many benefits to showing up early to Wrigley Field. Because the Bleachers are first-come first-serve,
you get the best seats. Early birds also get to see batting practice. If you are sitting in the Bleachers,
you are usually bombarded with batting practice balls. You also get beer and food at early bird prices until
an hour before the game starts.
If there are promotions going on, they are usually for the first 5,000 or 10,000 visitors. If you come early, you have
a better chance to win these items with scratch-off cards. In 2007, the Cubs gave away limited edition bobbleheads for
Lou Piniella, Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee, Michael Barrett, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano. These promotional items
are worth between $20 and $50 and in some cases, worth more than the actual tickets themselves. Make sure if you get
a promotional item not to sell it to someone. Some of the sly fans will try to buy these items from you as you enter the
stadium.
Roof Tops
If you have a large group coming to Wrigley Field, you may want to look into booking a Rooftop. For anywhere between
$100 and $150 per person, you have your own personal party, which includes food and beverages. If you do book a Rooftop,
make sure you arrive early. Visit the CBB
Forums to read Rootop reviews.
Tours
One of the biggest secrets at Wrigley Field are the stadium tours that they offer when the Cubs are on road trips.
This is one the greatest experiences for Cub fans. You are taken from the press box, to the locker room,
to the dug out, to the Bleachers, and then on to the field. You have the unique opportunity to see things
from a player perspective and learn about the history of Wrigley Field. This tour usually lasts for about
an hour and a half, and they even allow you to play catch in the outfield.
Learn more about the tour by visiting the Ballpark tour section
at Cubs.com.
Standing Room
Usually, if you show up early enough, you can get standing room only tickets for each game. You then
have the opportunity to see the game along right or left field under the grand stand. These tickets are
cheap and sometimes you have the opportunity to find an available seat if nobody is paying attention.
Tickets
First, its important to note that there is no secret to getting tickets. Its a matter of planning and luck.
You can get tickets one of three ways.
- You can purchase tickets online when tickets go on sale. Regular season tickets go on sale before the season starts and
its important to prepare by figuring out what games you are interested in. Your best chance at getting tickets is to
reserve up to four hours for your ticket purchasing. Its also important to be ready to purchase tickets at least a half
hour before they go on sale. Usually the online virtual waiting room opens thirty minutes before the tickets go on sale.
What is unfortunate is that you aren't just waiting in line with other Cubs fans. You are also waiting in line with
people who just want to turn around and sell the same tickets they purchase to turn a profit.
- Visit the tickets section to purchase tickets from several ticket brokers and MLB's ticket partner,
StubHub.
- Another option to get good tickets at Wrigley Field is to visit the park several hours before the game. In most cases, you
can purchase day-of-game tickets, but be prepared to wait in line, so get there as early as possible.
- An increasingly popular method of seeing the Cubs in action is by traveling with them on the road. This is the major reason
why you see so many Cubs fans in opponent's stadiums. Simply put, the fans can't get tickets to see the Cubs at Wrigley!
Steve Bartman
If you remember the Cubs meltdown in 2003, you also remember Steve Bartman. Bartman was the fan that
did what every other fan would have done. He attempted to catch a foul ball. That same seat where
Steve Bartman sat is one of the biggest attractions at Wrigley Field. You can still find it today as
it is marked with a Cubs sticker on the back of the seat. It is located in left outfield section
in the first row.
For more about Steve Bartman and other curses, visit the Cubs curse section.
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