Wrigley Field
Chicago, IL

Today, with nearly every team in Major League Baseball wanting a new ballpark, the Cubs continue to play at Wrigley Field without wanting a new stadium built. Nestled in the streets of Chicago, Wrigley Field continues to remain one of baseball's oldest parks. In 1914, Charles Weeghman, decided to build a ballpark for the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. The ballpark would be located at the corner of Addison

and Clark Streets. Originally named Weeghman Park, construction began on the 14,000 seat ballpark on March 14,1914. The ballpark had only one deck of grandstands in a V-shape, with wooden bleachers in the outfield. Construction on the $250,000 ballpark was completed by April 23, 1914. Original dimensions at Weeghman Field were 310 ft. (left), 440 (center), and 356 (right). Weeghman Field was home to the Chicago Whales/Federals for two years, until the Federal League went bankrupt.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs, played at West Side Grounds until Charles Weeghman bought the club and moved them to his ballpark in 1916. The first Cubs game at Weeghman Field was on April 20, 1916. In 1920, Weeghman Field was renamed Cubs Park, and Weeghman sold the club to William Wrigley Jr. Beginning in 1922 and 1923, Cubs Park underwent several renovations. The grandstands were moved back 60 feet, and wooden bleachers were added, thus increasing the capacity to 20,000. Major renovations began in 1926, when Cubs Park was renamed Wrigley Field. The grandstand was double decked, the playing field was lowered, and the bleachers in left field were removed. The capacity increased to 38,396. More renovations were completed at Wrigley Field in 1937. Bleachers were added in the outfield, and the famous 27 by 75 foot hand operated scoreboard was placed behind the bleachers in centerfield. The most distinct feature was the planting of ivy at the base of the outfield wall. Before World War II, the grandstand in left field was circled so all the seats faced home plate instead of centerfield. Lights for Wrigley Field were originally suppose to be installed for the 1942 season, but because of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Phil Wrigley donated them to the government.

Wrigley Field continued to look the same until the 1980’s. In 1982, an electronic message board was placed under the scoreboard in centerfield. In 1981, the Tribune Company bought the Cubs. The company began talking about installing lights after the 1981 season. However, a fan group fought to keep night baseball away from Wrigley Field. On May 13, 1982, Illinois legislatures made baseball after midnight a violation in a facility that had not had night sports played before July 1, 1982. But in 1984, when the Cubs made the playoffs, MLB threatened that if the team made the postseason in the future, games would be moved to a location that had lights. Finally on February 23, 1988, it was decided that Cubs could install lights at Wrigley Field. The first night game scheduled for Wrigley Field was on August 8, 1988. However, it rained after four innings of baseball, and the game was postponed until the next day. In 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level, which was originally occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths. A press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate. After the 2003 season, the Cubs added 200 seats directly behind home plate bringing fans even closer to the playing field. Tradition was not lost with this addition, as the brick wall behind home plate remains. After the 2005 season, the Cubs plan to add nearly 1,800 seats to the bleachers. Also, a multipurpose building housing a themed restaurant and batting and pitching cages for players will be built on the west side of Wrigley Field.

Today, Wrigley Field is the last Federal League ballpark still standing. Even with lights, Wrigley Field remains one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Wrigley Field has basically remained advertisement free, with only advertisements on nearby buildings and a few in the ballpark. The area outside Wrigley Field, called Wrigleyville, is filled with fans on game day. Ballhawks as they are called, wait on Waveland Avenue to catch homeruns during the game. Fans sit atop buildings behind Wrigley Field and watch the game. Ivy still covers the brick walls in the outfield, the scoreboard is still manually operated, and bleacher bums still sit in the bleachers in the outfield. Flags atop the scoreboard still remind fans whether or not the Cubs won the day before, and where they are in the standings. Because Wrigley Field is surrounded by the Wrigleyville neighborhood, parking can be a nightmare for games. It is recommended that fans take the CTA red line train to the Addison stop to Cubs games. Although it has been the exclusive home of the Cubs for many years now, Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in the nation. The one thing missing from Wrigley Field today, is the former broadcaster of the Cubs Harry Carey, who used to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".