Guaranteed Rate Field facts for kids
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Sox Park
The Cell The Rate New Comiskey |
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Guaranteed Rate Field in 2016
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 Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in Chicago
Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in Illinois
Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Comiskey Park (II) (1991–2003) U.S. Cellular Field (2003–2016) |
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| Address | 333 West 35th Street |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°49′48″N 87°38′2″W / 41.83000°N 87.63389°W |
| 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) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 7, 1989 |
| Built | 1989–1990 |
| Opened | April 18, 1991 |
| Renovated | 2001–2012, 2015–2019 |
| Construction cost | US$137 million ($294 million in 2022 dollars ) $118 million (2001–2007 renovations) ($167 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HOK Sport (now Populous) 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) | |
Guaranteed Rate Field is a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The stadium is the home of the Chicago White Sox, and is owned by the state of Illinois through the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at the original Comiskey Park. It was completed at a cost of US$137 million, and opened with the name Comiskey Park, but was renamed U.S. Cellular Field in 2003 after U.S. Cellular purchased the naming rights at $68 million over 20 years. The current name was announced on October 31, 2016, after Guaranteed Rate, a private residential mortgage company located in Chicago, purchased the naming rights to the ballpark in a 13-year deal.
The stadium is situated just to the west of the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood, adjacent to the more famous neighborhood of Bridgeport. It was built directly across 35th Street from the original Comiskey Park, which was demolished to make room for a parking lot that serves the venue. Old Comiskey's home plate location is represented by a marble plaque on the sidewalk next to Guaranteed Rate Field and the foul lines are painted in the parking lot. Also, the spectator ramp across 35th Street is designed in such a way (partly curved, partly straight but angling east-northeast) that it echoes the contour of the old first-base grandstand.
The current public address announcer is Gene Honda, who also serves as the PA announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks, the NCAA Final Four and Illinois Fighting Illini football.
History
The stadium was the first new major sporting facility built in Chicago since Chicago Stadium in 1929. It was also the last one built before the wave of new "retro-classic" ballparks in the 1990s and 2000s. A few design features from the old Comiskey Park were retained. The front facade of the park features arched windows. The "exploding scoreboard" pays homage to the original, installed by Bill Veeck at the old park in 1960. The original field dimensions and seating configuration were very similar to those of Royals Stadium (now Kauffman Stadium) in Kansas City, which had been the last baseball-only park built in the majors, in 1973.
As originally built, the park was criticized by many fans because of the height of the upper deck. The original architect, HOK Sport (now Populous), wanted to eliminate the overhang problems present in many stadiums built since the 1970s. With this in mind, the upper deck was set back over the lower deck, and the stands rose fairly gradually. While it gave nearly every seat in the upper level an unobstructed view of the field, it also created one of the highest upper decks in baseball. The first row of seats in the upper deck at the new stadium is as far from the field as the highest row of seats in the upper deck at the old stadium. Due to the field being practically at street level, the original upper deck made the park look like a cookie-cutter stadium from the outside. Fans sitting in this area did not get much chance for relief, as it was one of the few parks in Major League Baseball that did not allow fans sitting in the upper deck to venture anywhere else in the park, such as the lower deck concourse.
In response to fan complaints, the stadium has undergone numerous renovations since the 2001 season in order to retrofit the facility to current architectural trends. These changes have included building a multi-tiered concourse beyond center field, adjusting the fences to make the outfield less symmetrical and, most significantly, the removal of 6,600 seats at the top of the upper deck.
The uppermost tier of the park now has a white and black screen behind the top row of seats and is topped by a flat canopy roof supported by black steel truss supports that obstruct the view of a few seats. The original blue seats were also replaced by forest green seats. The new green and black color scheme, upper level screen set back from the outer wall and canopy roof are reminiscent of the old Comiskey Park, as well as other classic baseball stadiums. The White Sox have also added murals to the interior concourses, a prominent feature of the old stadium.
The stadium houses 103 luxury suites located on two levels, as well as 1,822 "club seats" on 300-level mezzanine between the lower deck and upper deck. The club seats receive in-seat wait-staff and benefit from an enclosed concourse with multiple television viewing areas and bar-style concessions. The stadium has 400 wheelchair-accessible seats, 38 public restrooms, 12 escalators and 15 elevators. The new suites were one example of why the old Comiskey Park was demolished, as suites generate more revenue.
Attractions and features
- Flickering LED Lights: The White Sox use the flickering LED Lights feature for whenever the team takes the field before the first pitch, hits a Home Run, or wins a game. They also used the feature for whenever their closer, Liam Hendriks, comes out of the bullpen.
- Fan Deck: A panoramic view of the playing field on the two-tiered Fan Deck atop the center field concession stands. Fan Deck includes catered food and beverage service consisting of chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, popcorn, beer, soda, and water. Fan deck can accommodate around 150 people.
- The Goose Island: A 326-seat section in right field that features running water fixtures on all four sides, individual seating, spaces for group parties and a standing room area where fans can interact near the outfield concourse. The first few rows of the section includes cushioned seats, device charging ports, television screens and more.
- Craft Kave: A two-tiered, open-air section located in right field next to the visitor's bullpen with food and drinks.
- Rain Rooms: A place where fans can cool off during hot game days. Near section 107 & 537.
- Kids Zone: Located in left field. This 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) area is devoted to young White Sox fans, providing them with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of baseball. It features a youth-sized whiffle ball diamond for coaching clinics, batting and pitching cages, batting "swing" boxes for proper batting techniques and areas for base running and skills instruction.
- Speed Pitch Machines: Near section 155 and 522
- Shower: A carry-over from old Comiskey Park where fans can cool off during hot gamedays. Near Section 160.
- Scout Seats: Located directly behind home plate and contains 314 leather seats.
- The Patio: Located just behind the right center field fence at field level. The patio serves for group outings such as the Craft Kave and can accommodate from 50 to 100 people.
- Home Plate Club: Located behind home plate. Features include a restaurant buffet, open bar, open air seating in padded, extra-wide 22" seats, private restrooms, flat-screen televisions throughout the club and seating area, private elevator entrance behind home plate at Gate 4, early admittance into the ballpark for select games to watch White Sox batting practice from the outfield.
- #SoxSocial Tap Room: The Tap Room is open to all guests with a game ticket until the last out of each game. The Tap Room is accessible by the stairs located outside Section 157.
- Pizza Pub: Fans can enjoy delicious pizza straight out of the oven along with full bar options and a new seating area. Located near Section 163.
- Xfinity Zone: Located outside Section 109. Fans can order food and beverages, watch sports on the big screen.
- 47 Shop: Souvenirs, hats and apparel from years past to today. Near Section 101.
- Home Plate Shop: The Home Plate Shop, offering a wide variety of White Sox merchandise, is open on game days only. Located behind home plate on the 100 Level.
- New Era Cap Corner: Baseball caps of all colors, styles and sizes in a wide variety of team logos. Located on the lower level near Section 157.
- Minnie Miñoso Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
- Carlton Fisk Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
- Charles Comiskey Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
- Luis Aparicio Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
- Nellie Fox Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
- Billy Pierce Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
- Harold Baines Sculpture: Located behind Section 105.
- Frank Thomas Sculpture: Located behind Section 160.
- Paul Konerko Sculpture: Located behind Section 160.
- Jim Thome Plaque: Located on the center field fan deck. The description of the plaque reads "On June 4, 2008, Chicago White Sox slugger Jim Thome became the first player ever to hit a baseball onto the Fan Deck of U.S. Cellular Field as the Sox beat the Kansas City Royals. He duplicated the tape-measure feat on September 30, 2008 as the White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 1–0, in a one-game playoff to win the American League Central Division championship."
- The Two Blue Seats: The seats where Paul Konerko's Grand Slam (left field in section 159) and Scott Podsednik's game-winning home run (right center first row in section 101) that landed in game two of the 2005 World Series are the same original blue seats in use at that game.
- White Sox Champions Brick Plaza: Located at the main entrance to the park, (Gate 4). The plaza is dedicated to the 2005 World Series Champion White Sox and their fans. Each legacy brick is inscribed with a personalized message that has become part of a new baseball diamond-shaped plaza outside the main entrance to the ballpark. A life-sized white bronze and granite sculpture celebrating the 2005 White Sox World Series Championship that stands at the center of the plaza, with a historical timeline of the franchise along the diamond's base paths. The statue weighs over 25 tons.
- Old Comiskey Park's home plate: Located just north of the park by Gate 5 in Lot B.
- "ChiSox Bar and Grill": A multi-level restaurant and bar located inside of Gate 5. The establishment features both indoor and outdoor seating and a wide variety of food, drinks, and entertainment.
- Chicago Sports Depot: A Chicago White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Fire merchandise store located next to ChiSox Bar and Grill at Gate 5.
Transportation to the stadium
- Guaranteed Rate Field can be reached by using the CTA's "L" Rapid Transit system. The stadium's station stops are Sox–35th for the Red Line and 35-Bronzeville-IIT for the Green Line. The Red Line is also used by Cubs fans to reach Wrigley Field (Addison Station) on the North side of Chicago. When the White Sox take on the Cubs every year, usually in June, many fans will use the Red-Line to get to the game. The series is dubbed the Cross-Town Classic or the Windy City Showdown. A new Metra station (35th Street) opened on the Rock Island line in 2011, which helps fans with more accessibility. It is also accessible by CTA bus route #35 (31st/35th Street) and suburban Pace Guaranteed Rate Field Express shuttle service.
- Guaranteed Rate is just west of the I-90/94 Dan Ryan Expressway. The "Dan Ryan" was under construction in 2006–2007 in hopes of relieving traffic congestion.
- The park has seven main entrances. Gate 1 is located on the South side of the park in right field, Gate 2 is located on the Southwest side of the park down the right field line, Gate 3 is located on the West side of the park on the 1st base side, Gate 4 is on the Northwest side of the park behind home plate, Gate 5 is located on the North side of the park on the 3rd base side, Gate 6 is located on the Northeast side of the park down the left field line and Gate 7 is located on the East side of the park in left field.
- The main level is accessible only by fans who have a ticket to a seat in the lower level.
- The park has 8 main parking lots.
See also
In Spanish: Guaranteed Rate Field para niños
- Gene Honda – Public address announcer for the White Sox, DePaul Basketball, Chicago Blackhawks, Illinois Football, and the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Final Four.
- Roger Bossard – Head groundskeeper for the White Sox. (1983–present)
- Nancy Faust – Long-time stadium organist for the White Sox. (1970–2010)
- Southpaw – White Sox mascot.
- Camelback Ranch – The spring training home of the White Sox shared with the Los Angeles Dodgers. (2009–present)
Images for kids
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Comiskey Park in 2002 with the new batter's eye
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U.S. Cellular Field in 2004 with the new roof and lighting
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The translucent wall in the upper deck was added in 2004 to block the elements.
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U.S. Cellular Field in 2005, with the new Fundamentals Deck in left field
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U.S. Cellular Field in 2007
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Champions Plaza
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Out-of-town video board (2009-2015)
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Gate 5 entrance, restaurant & bar
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2016 renovations with new HD scoreboards
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The White Sox taking on the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day 2014
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The Chicago skyline overlooking the upper deck behind third base at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 30, 2017 -
The view from the 500 level
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The view from the White Sox radio booth
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The gate 5 entrance in 2007 before renovations took place for the 2009 season
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The National Anthem before Game 1 of the 2005 World Series
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The 2008 AL Central tiebreaker game (better known as the "blackout game") as the Sox shutout the Twins 1–0
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Teammates celebrate Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009
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Guaranteed Rate Field before a game
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