Rate Field facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids
Rate Field
Construction
White Sox Park Sox Park New Comiskey The Cell

Rate Field in 2023
Rate Field Location in Chicago Show map of Chicago Rate Field Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Rate Field Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Comiskey Park II (1991–2003) U.S. Cellular Field (2003–2016) Guaranteed Rate Field (2016–2024)
Address	333 West 35th Street
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates	41°49′48″N 87°38′2″W / 41.83000°N 87.63389°W / 41.83000; -87.63389
Public transit	Red at Sox–35th Green at 35th–Bronzeville–IIT RI at 35th Street-Lou Jones
Parking	8 main parking lots
Owner	Illinois Sports Facilities Authority
Operator	Illinois Sports Facilities Authority
Capacity	40,615 (2004–present) 47,098 (2002–2003) 47,522 (2001) 44,321 (1991–2000)
Record attendance	47,754 (September 24, 2016; Chance the Rapper concert) White Sox game: 46,246 (October 5, 1993; ALCS Game 1) Post-renovations: 41,432 (October 23, 2005; World Series Game 2)
Field size	(2001–present) Left field – 330 ft (100 m) Left-center – 375 ft (114 m) (not posted) Center field – 400 ft (120 m) Right-center – 375 ft (114 m) (not posted) Right field – 335 ft (102 m) Backstop – 60 ft (18 m) Outfield wall height – 8 ft (2.4 m)
Surface	Kentucky Bluegrass
Scoreboard	8,000 square foot Center field HD video board 60 feet (18 m) × 134 feet (41 m) (2016–present) 2,500 square foot auxiliary video boards in Right & Left Field (2016–present) LED Ribbon Board, facade of the 500 level (2018–present) Fan Deck Ribbon Board (2003–present)
Broke ground	May 7, 1989 (1989-05-07)
Built	1989–1990
Opened	April 18, 1991 (1991-04-18)
Renovated	2001–2012, 2015–2019
Construction cost	US$137 million ($294 million in 2022 dollars ) US$118 million (2001–2007 renovations) ($167 million in 2022 dollars )
Architect	HOK Sport HKS, Inc. (2001–2007 renovations)
Project manager	International Facilities Group, LLC
Structural engineer	Thornton Tomasetti
Services engineer	Flack + Kurtz
General contractor	Gust K. Newberg Construction Company
Tenants
Chicago White Sox (MLB) (1991–present)

Rate Field is a famous baseball stadium located in Chicago, Illinois. It's the exciting home field for the Chicago White Sox, one of the city's two Major League Baseball teams. The stadium is owned by the state of Illinois.

This ballpark opened on April 18, 1991, and was first called Comiskey Park. It got its name from the original Comiskey Park, where the White Sox played since 1910. Rate Field is in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood. It sits right across 35th Street from where the old Comiskey Park used to be. You can even find a special marble plaque on the sidewalk that shows where the old home plate was!

History of Rate Field

A view from the upper deck during construction in September 1990.

Rate Field was the first big sports building in Chicago since 1929. It was also the last major league baseball park built before a new trend of "retro-classic" stadiums started in the 1990s. These new stadiums often looked like older, classic ballparks.

Some parts of the old Comiskey Park were kept in the new design. For example, the front of the stadium has cool arched windows. Also, the "exploding scoreboard" is a fun tribute to the original one from 1960.

When it first opened, some fans didn't like how high the upper deck was. The designers wanted to make sure everyone had a clear view. But this made the top seats feel very far from the field. Over the years, the team listened to fans and made many changes to make the park better.

New Comiskey Park on opening day, April 18, 1991.

Since 2001, the stadium has been updated a lot. They added a new area behind center field and changed the outfield fences. One of the biggest changes was removing 6,600 seats from the very top of the upper deck. This made the stadium feel less tall.

The old blue seats were replaced with forest green ones. This new green and black look, along with a new roof, makes the stadium feel more like classic baseball parks. They also added murals inside, just like the old stadium had.

Rate Field has 103 fancy luxury suites and 1,822 "club seats." People in club seats get special service and can relax in a private area with TVs. The stadium also has many accessible seats, restrooms, escalators, and elevators for everyone.

Stadium Names Over Time

The stadium has had a few different names since it opened.

It was first called Comiskey Park.
In 2003, it became U.S. Cellular Field after a company bought the naming rights.
On October 31, 2016, it changed to Guaranteed Rate Field.
As of December 17, 2024, the stadium is now known as Rate Field.

Fun Features at Rate Field

Rate Field has many cool things for fans to enjoy!

Flickering LED Lights: These lights flash when the White Sox take the field, hit a home run, or win a game. It's a fun way to celebrate!
Fan Deck: This area offers a great view of the field. It has food and drinks, like chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and soda. About 150 people can hang out here.
Miller Lite Landing: A special section in right field with 326 seats. It has cool water features, comfy seats, and places for groups to party. You can even charge your devices here!
Craft Kave: Another open-air spot in right field with food and drinks.
Rain Rooms: If it's a hot day, you can cool off in these special "rain rooms" near sections 107 and 537.
Kids Zone: Located in left field, this huge area is just for young White Sox fans. It has a small wiffle ball field, batting cages, and pitching areas where kids can learn baseball skills.
Speed Pitch Machines: Test how fast you can throw a baseball near sections 155 and 522.
Wintrust Scout Seats: These are super comfy leather seats right behind home plate. They come with a buffet, open bar, and private restrooms.
The Patio: This area behind the right-center field fence is perfect for group outings.
Sculptures of White Sox Legends: You can find statues of famous White Sox players like Minnie Miñoso, Carlton Fisk, Charles Comiskey, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Billy Pierce, Harold Baines, Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, and Mark Buehrle around the stadium.
Jim Thome Plaque: On the center field fan deck, there's a plaque honoring Jim Thome. He was the first player to hit a baseball onto the Fan Deck!
The Two Blue Seats: Look for two special blue seats in the stadium. These are the exact seats where Paul Konerko's Grand Slam and Scott Podsednik's game-winning home run landed during the 2005 World Series. They stand out from all the green seats!
White Sox Champions Brick Plaza: At the main entrance (Gate 4), this plaza celebrates the 2005 World Series Champion White Sox. It has a big sculpture and bricks with personalized messages from fans.
Old Comiskey Park's Home Plate: You can see where the home plate of the original Comiskey Park was, just north of Rate Field by Gate 5.
ChiSox Bar and Grill: A restaurant and bar inside Gate 5 with indoor and outdoor seating.
Chicago White Sox Team Store: A great place to buy White Sox gear and souvenirs.

Stadium Upgrades and Changes

Rate Field has been updated many times to make it even better for fans.

Early Renovations (1996–1999)

In 1996, a bullpen bar was added.
In 1999, new "Rain Rooms" were installed for fans to cool off on hot days.

Major Updates (2001–2007)

Starting in 2001, big changes began to make the park more enjoyable.

Phase I (2001)

Almost 2,000 new seats were added closer to the field.
The bullpens were moved so fans could watch pitchers warm up.
A new restaurant, the Stadium Club, opened with views of the field.
The stadium's seating capacity increased.

Phase II (2002)

Comiskey Park in 2002 with the new batter's eye.

The old backstop was replaced with a new one that lets foul balls drop into the seats.
A multi-tiered "batter's eye" (a dark wall that helps batters see the ball) was built in center field.
The main areas for walking around (concourses) were improved with brick and new lighting.

Phase III (2003)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2003 with the new video board and fan deck.

The scoreboards and video screens were upgraded to full-color, high-resolution displays.
Two long LED "ribbon" boards were added along the upper deck.
The Fan Deck, a patio-like area with food and drinks, was built in center field.
A bronze statue of Charles Comiskey was placed behind section 100.
The stadium's capacity increased again.

Phase IV (2004)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2004 with the new roof and lighting.

A translucent wall was added to the upper deck in 2004 to block wind and rain.

Eight rows and 6,600 seats were removed from the top of the upper deck. This made the upper deck feel less steep.
A new flat roof was added, covering many of the upper deck seats.
A translucent wall was put up to protect the upper deck concourse from weather.
The outfield wall was decorated with pictures of White Sox players whose numbers were retired.
A bronze statue of Minnie Miñoso was placed behind section 164.
The stadium's capacity decreased to 40,615, making it feel more cozy.

Phase V (2005)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2005, with the new Fundamentals Deck in left field.

A 314-seat "Scout" seating area was added right behind home plate.
The FUNdamentals Deck, a special area for kids to practice baseball skills, was added above the left field concourse.
The old blue seats were replaced with green seats, like those in the original Comiskey Park.
A bronze statue of Carlton Fisk was unveiled behind section 164.

Phase VI (2006)

All the remaining blue seats in the Upper Deck and Lower Deck were replaced with green seats.
New banners celebrating the White Sox's championships and history were hung on the outfield light towers.
Bronze statues of Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio were placed behind section 100.

Phase VII (2007)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2007.

The green seats were completed throughout the stadium.
The special blue seats where Paul Konerko and Scott Podsednik hit their famous home runs in the 2005 World Series were kept.
A new premium restaurant, the Jim Beam Club, was added behind home plate.
A bronze statue of Billy Pierce was placed behind section 164.

Recent Renovations (2008–present)

More improvements have been made since 2008.

2008 Season

Champions Plaza.

A new, environmentally friendly parking lot was created.
The White Sox Legacy Brick Program unveiled a brick plaza outside Gate 4. It has a large sculpture celebrating the 2005 World Series win.
A bronze statue of Harold Baines was placed behind Section 105.

2009 Season

The out-of-town video board from 2009–2015.

Gate 5 was renovated with escalators and elevators to make it easier to enter the park.
A new, larger scoreboard with LED lights was installed in right field. It shows game details and scores from other games.
A small plaque honoring Jim Thome was added to the center field fan deck.
"The Catch" was written on the left-center field wall to remember DeWayne Wise's amazing catch that saved Mark Buehrle's perfect game.

2010–Present

2010: Frank Thomas's number was retired and added to the outfield wall.
2011: A new Metra train station opened near the ballpark. A multi-level restaurant and bar (ChiSox Bar and Grill) opened inside Gate 5. A bronze statue of Frank Thomas was unveiled.
2012: The Chicago Sports Depot, a merchandise store, opened next to Gate 5.
2014: A bronze statue of Paul Konerko was unveiled.
2016: Three new high-definition (HD) video boards were installed, making the game experience even better.
2018: Safety netting was extended to protect more fans. A new LED ribbon board was added around the grandstand.
2019: A 326-seat section called "The Goose Island" (now "Miller Lite Landing") was added in right field. It has cool water features and comfy seats.
2021: Flickering LED lights were added for exciting game moments.
2023: Some seats in the upper deck were replaced with viewing bars. Turf was added around the old Comiskey Park home plate monument.
2024: Some suites were turned into a studio for the Chicago Sports Network.

Retired Numbers of White Sox Legends

The White Sox honor their greatest players by retiring their jersey numbers. These numbers are displayed on the stadium's facade.

No.	Player	Position	White Sox years	Date retired	Notes
White Sox retired numbers
2	Nellie Fox	2B	1950–1963	1976	Hall of Fame (1997)
3	Harold Baines	RF, DH Coach	1980–1989, 1996–97, 2000–01 2004–2015	1989-08-20	Baines' number was retired after he was traded to the Texas Rangers midway through 1989. The number was unretired for him in 1996 and 2000 when he returned as a player, and in 2004 as an assistant hitting coach. Hall of Fame (2019)
4	Luke Appling	SS	1930–50	1975	Hall of Fame (1964)
9	Minnie Miñoso	LF	1951–57, 1960–61 1964, 1976, 1980	1983	"Mr. White Sox" Hall of Fame (2022)
11	Luis Aparicio	SS	1956–1962 1968–1970	1984-08-14	Hall of Fame (1984)
14	Paul Konerko	1B	1999–2014	2015-05-23	2005 World Series Champion and ALCS MVP
16	Ted Lyons	P Manager	1923–1946 1946–1948	1987	Hall of Fame (1955)
19	Billy Pierce	P	1949–61	1987
35	Frank Thomas	1B, DH	1990–2005	2010-08-29	2005 World Series Champion Hall of Fame (2014)
56	Mark Buehrle	P	2000–2011	2017-06-24	2005 World Series Champion Perfect game in 2009
72	Carlton Fisk	C	1981–1993	1997-09-14	Hall of Fame (2000)
42	Jackie Robinson	2B	Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947–1956, Retired by Major League Baseball	1997-04-15	Hall of Fame (1962)

The White Sox taking on the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day 2014.

The Chicago skyline overlooking the upper deck behind third base at Rate Field on June 30, 2017.

Getting to Rate Field

The view from the 500 level.

It's easy to get to Rate Field using Chicago's "L" train system.

The Red Line stops at Sox–35th.
The Green Line stops at 35-Bronzeville-IIT.
There's also a Metra train station at 35th Street.

The stadium is also close to the I-90/94 Dan Ryan Expressway. There are eight main parking lots if you're driving.

The ballpark has seven main entrances, called Gates 1 through 7, located around the stadium.

Memorable Games and Events

Rate Field has seen many exciting moments in baseball history and hosted other fun events.

1990s Highlights

April 18, 1991: The very first game at the ballpark. The White Sox played against the Detroit Tigers.
April 22, 1991: Frank Thomas hit the first White Sox home run in the new stadium.
September 27, 1993: The White Sox won the American League West Division, making it to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
October 5, 1993: The stadium hosted its first playoff game, part of the 1993 ALCS.
September 14, 1997: Carlton Fisk's number 72 was retired by the White Sox.
May 18, 1998: Mike Blowers of the Oakland Athletics achieved a "cycle" (hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in one game).
July 6, 1999: White Sox player Chris Singleton also hit for the cycle.

2000s Highlights

April 27, 2000: White Sox player José Valentín hit for the cycle.
September 13, 2002: The Rolling Stones played the first-ever concert at the stadium.
July 15, 2003: Rate Field hosted the MLB All-Star Game.
July 25, 2003: Frank Thomas hit his 400th career home run.
August 7, 2005: A statue of catcher Carlton Fisk was unveiled.
October 5, 2005: The White Sox won a thrilling playoff game against the Boston Red Sox with a big comeback.
October 12, 2005: In another exciting playoff game, Joe Crede hit a walk-off single to win for the White Sox.
October 22, 2005: The stadium hosted its first-ever World Series game. The White Sox won against the Houston Astros.
October 23, 2005: In Game 2 of the World Series, Paul Konerko hit a grand slam, and Scott Podsednik hit a game-winning home run. The White Sox won this game too, on their way to becoming World Series Champions!
October 28, 2005: The White Sox celebrated their 2005 World Series win with a huge parade starting at the stadium.
April 18, 2007: Mark Buehrle pitched a "no-hitter" (meaning no opposing player got a hit) against the Texas Rangers.
September 16, 2007: Jim Thome hit his 500th career home run, winning the game for the White Sox.
August 14, 2008: The White Sox hit four home runs in a row in one game, which is very rare!
September 30, 2008: Rate Field hosted a special tie-breaker game where the White Sox won the AL Central Division.
July 23, 2009: Mark Buehrle pitched a "perfect game" (no opposing player reached base at all), which is one of the rarest feats in baseball!

2010s Highlights

August 29, 2010: The White Sox retired Frank Thomas's jersey number.
May 3, 2011: Francisco Liriano of the Minnesota Twins pitched a no-hitter against the White Sox.
July 31, 2011: A statue of Frank Thomas was unveiled.
April 25, 2014: Rookie José Abreu hit a walk-off grand slam, setting a new record for home runs by a rookie in March-April.
September 27, 2014: Paul Konerko was honored before his retirement, and a statue of him was unveiled.
May 23, 2015: Paul Konerko's number 14 was retired.
June 24, 2017: Mark Buehrle's number 56 was retired.
September 9, 2017: White Sox player José Abreu hit for the cycle.
September 2, 2018: The White Sox honored their long-time announcer, Ken Harrelson, on "Hawk Harrelson Day."

2020s Highlights

August 16, 2020: The White Sox hit four consecutive home runs again!
August 25, 2020: White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito threw a no-hitter.
April 14, 2021: White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón pitched a no-hitter, almost a perfect game.
May 25, 2021: Umpire Joe West set a new record for umpiring the most games in MLB history.
June 6, 2021: White Sox manager Tony La Russa became second on the all-time manager wins list.
July 31, 2021: White Sox catcher Seby Zavala made history by hitting his first three career home runs in the same game.
October 10, 2021: Rate Field hosted a playoff game in the 2021 American League Division Series.
May 9, 2022: Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians made history by hitting two three-run home runs in the ninth inning or later in the same game.
April 30, 2023: The White Sox made a huge comeback, scoring 7 runs in the 9th inning to win the game.
May 29, 2023: White Sox closer Liam Hendriks returned to play after battling cancer, receiving a standing ovation.
July 10, 2024: White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech threw an "immaculate inning" (striking out three batters on nine pitches).
July 11, 2025: A bronze statue of Mark Buehrle was unveiled.
July 12, 2025: A special ceremony was held to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the White Sox's 2005 World Series championship.
August 15–16, 2025: The Savannah Bananas played two fun "Banana Ball" games at Rate Field, with former White Sox stars joining in.

Rate Field Beyond Baseball

Rate Field has also been featured in movies like Rookie of the Year (1993) and Major League II (1994). It has also hosted concerts and even a college football game.

Images for kids

The site of the home plate of (Old) Comiskey Park in 2007.
The view from the White Sox radio booth.
The gate 5 entrance in 2007 before renovations took place for the 2009 season.
Gate 5 entrance, restaurant and bar.
Rate Field before a game.