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U.S. Cellular Field
Chicago, IL

After 80 years at one ballpark, the White Sox, became the first team to open a new ballpark in the 1990's. With an aging Comiskey Park, the White Sox wanted a new facility. In the mid to late 1980’s, talk began on building a new stadium. Planners spent the better part of the 1980's studying every baseball stadium to get the best ideas for a new ballpark. The study also

View from the first base grandstand. View toward the outfield. View from behind homeplate. View from the third base grandstand. View from down the third base line.

gave architects and contractors a guide as what not to include in the stadium. After a rejection by Illinois voters to build a new stadium, the White Sox began to make threats of moving the team to Tampa, FL. However Illinois Governor James R. Thompson, found enough revenue for a stadium to be built. The new ballpark was built next to Comiskey Park. After deciding on a place to build the new ballpark, construction began on May 7, 1989. Built of a concrete structure with a pre-cast concrete facing, the new stadium rose much higher than its neighbor, old Comiskey Park. It took just two years for the new ballpark to be completed. Originally, it was given the same name as its predecessor, Comiskey Park. However in January 2003, U.S. Cellular purchased the naming rights for $68 million over 23 years in order to name the stadium U.S. Cellular Field.

Opening day came on April 18, 1991, when Governor Thompson threw the ceremonial first pitch. Over 44,000 fans filled U.S. Cellular Field's blue seats opening day. Only one thing was transferred from old Comiskey Park to U.S. Cellular Field, the dirt from the infield. Comiskey Park was praised when it opened, but that soon changed. Once Oriole Park at Camdem Yards opened people wondered why U.S. Cellular Field did not have the traditional feel to it. Other criticism came because of the steepness of the upper deck.

With all the retro ballparks being built after the completion of US Cellular Field in 1991, the team decided to improve and enhance the stadium to give it a retro feel to it, in an effort to bring more fans to games. After the 2000 season, U.S. Cellular Field underwent several renovations. Several rows of seats were added along the foul lines, along with the relocation of the bullpens, the creation of a two-tiered, outdoor terrace area for the Bullpen Sports Bar, and an extension of the outfield seating area down to the fence in several sections. The outfield fences were moved. The fences were moved in 17 feet down the left-field line (330 feet from 347), 12 feet down the right-field line (335 from 347) and three feet in right-center field (372 from 375). Left-center field increased by two feet (377 from 375), while straightaway center field remains the same (400). Renovations continued after the 2001 season. They included a new multi-tiered batter's eye in center field, a vertical screen behind home plate, improvements to the main concourse and upgrading the club level.

With the money acquired in the deal with US Cellular for the naming rights to the stadium, they continued to make various improvements to the stadium. After the 2003 season, the White Sox demolished eight rows of the upper deck, eliminating 6,600 seats and lowering the height of the ballpark. A flat roof was installed, covering 2/3rds of the upper deck and enclosing the upper deck concourse. A translucent wall connects the new roof to provide further protection from the weather and offers a distinctive look to the park.  After the 2004 season, a section of seating behind homeplate in the lower deck was removed and replaced with new luxury scout seats.

Today fans from all over Chicago travel to US Cellular Field to watch the White Sox play. Numerous parking lots surround the stadium and the CTA red line train makes a stop at Sox/35th, providing public transportation to the stadium. Once inside US Cellular Field fans must go up either ramps or escalators to access any of the four main levels of the stadium. Four levels of seats extend from behind homeplate to both of the foul poles. Included on two levels, are 85 private suites and four party suites. A two tier stadium club restaurant is located down the right field line. Bleacher seats stretch across the outfield, with the exception of in straightaway centerfield. A replica of the old park's famous exploding scoreboard, first conceived by Bill Veeck is located over the centerfield bleachers. Numerous amenties can be found at US Cellular Field, including the multilevel interactive FUNdamentals skills deck in left field, and the two level fan deck in center field, providing a panoramic view of the playing field. There are many great spots throughout the outfield concourse for fans to mingle, buy concessions or merchandise. Throughout the 2005 season and by the start of the 2006 season, fans will notice a gradual change as the blue seats are being replaced by green ones.