Last year, the record-breaking feats of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, the dominating New York Yankees and Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak put baseball back in the national spotlight.
Chicago-area fans will have five teams to follow: the Cubs, White Sox and three minor-league teams–the Kane County Cougars, the newly formed Schaumburg Flyers and the Cook County Cheetahs.
Here’s what taking part in the fun will cost in 1999.
– The Cubs’ ticket prices will range from $25 to as little as $4, depending on when you go.
If you check the Cubs’ Web site (www.cubs.com), you’ll see separate pricing for Monday through Thursday afternoon games in April, May and September. Club and field box seats are $15; upper-deck box and family section, $11; terrace reserved seats, $8; upper-deck reserve, $8 for adults and $4 for kids 13 and under.
The price of those same seats on Opening Day, weekends, night and Friday games and all games during June, July and August increases from $2 to $10. For single games, call Ticketmaster at 312-831-CUBS or buy advanced tickets at the ballpark.
A number of season-ticket plans, including the Double Play (25 games), Combination Game (45 games) and Daily Plan (all 81 games) are available. The least expensive Double Play plan costs $226 for an upper-deck reserved seat to all Wednesday and Friday home games.
April 25 is “Sammy the Bear” Beanie Baby Day for the first 12,000 children, with an “Erin the Bea” day scheduled for Aug. 5. Two Cabbage Patch Kids Collectibles are coming, sporting a limited-edition home uniform, on May 16 and a limited-edition road uniform on Aug. 11. On May 1, the first 20,000 fans will get a Sammy Sosa pictorial program.
“We expect demand to be heavy, especially during the summer months, so fans are encouraged to buy tickets early,” said Frank Maloney, director of ticket operations.
– At Comiskey Park, Sox tickets will remain the same as last year. Ticket prices for single games begin at $10 for upper-deck reserved, $14 for bleachers, $15 for upper-deck box, $17 for lower-deck reserved, and $22 for both club level and lower-deck box seats.
Senior vice president Rob Gallas said that in addition to full-season tickets, a 27-game split plan that includes a seat to the Cubs/Sox series is available in three packages.
“We offer an A, B or C plan where we divide the season in thirds and allow fans to see all the teams we’ll play,” Gallas said. “The A and B plan are for games Monday through Friday, and the C plan is for Saturday/Sunday games.”
Split-plan packages range from $324 to $540.
Special deals include Kids’ Day on April 25, May 23, June 6, July 4, Aug. 15 and Oct. 3, where admission is just $1 for kids accompanied by a paying adult. Autograph sessions and running the bases after the game are included.
Ladies’ Day is Thursday, with admission $1 for all home games. “Family Monday” offers half off all ticket prices for everyone, whether you bring a carload or just yourself.
Tickets for individual games go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets, or call 312-831-1SOX.
The Sox will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1959 “Go-Go Sox” with a number of promotions: May 7 is the ’59 Sox logo pin promotion; June 18 is the 40th anniversary pin; July 3 is ’59 team caps; and Aug. 13 will be 40-year anniversary patches.
– The Kane County Cougars (630-232-8811) offer 70 home games this season, beginning April 12.
Single-game tickets are $8 for box, $7 for grandstand reserved, $6 for center-field bleachers and $5 for lawn or general admission. Season box seats are $504 and reserved seats are $441. There are also 20-, 15- and 10-game packages priced from $80 to $160 for box seats and $70 to $140 for reserved.
“We have everything from senior-citizen discounts to rental suites for group outings,” said Marty Cusack, director of media relations. “Whether you’re interested in a child’s birthday party or renting the party deck or the hot tub we feature in right field, we offer it and much more.”
A few highlights this year include 15 games featuring fireworks, the return of Dollar Days (buy 20 bleacher seats on special days in April or August and they’re just $1 each) and Monday Church Night, where you’ll get a discount at the game if you have your church bulletin in hand.
No outside food or beverages are allowed, but parking again is free.
Mark your calendars for May 13, when the Cougars, a Class A farm team, will play their major-league parent club, the Florida Marlins.
– The Schaumburg Flyers are the newest team to enter the Chicago-area market. The Flyers will play as members of the independent Northern League and open their season on May 28 against the St. Paul Saints for the first of 43 home games. They are managed by former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle.
Single games are $7 for reserved, $4 for lawn and a limited number of outfield seats, and $3 for left-field bleachers.
Director of media relations Matt McLaughlin said a 15-game flex plan offers one of the best bargains.
“You can choose 15 games yourself and customize your plan, including dates you’d like to attend and opponents you’d like to see,” he said. Cost of the plan is $99.
A full-season game package costs $299. For groups or parties, 16 rental suites are available. McLaughlin says to call the Flyers at 847-891-2255 to arrange reservations. Parking will be free.
Promotions are being finalized. McLaughlin says the San Diego Chicken will be appearing on June 8, when the Flyers host the Madison Black Wolves.
The Flyers will play in Schaumburg near the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway and Springinsguth Road.
– The Cook County Cheetahs open their fourth season with a new stadium, Hawkinson Ford Field, and a league championship under their belt.
Now members of the 10-team independent Frontier League, the Cheetahs won the championship in the Heartland League a year ago.
Service agent Lora Bland said tickets will be $7 for lower box seats, $6 for upper box and $4 for general admission. Groups between 15 and 99 receive a discount off regular ticket prices.
A mini-package ticket deal includes opening day plus five Monday games for $36. Picnic Party features a food-and-game deal for your office: Bring 50 guests and they’ll receive all the hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, beer and soda they want 90 minutes before game time for $20 per person.
The Cheetahs play 88 games, half at home. A number of former White Sox and Cubs players are working with the team, including the Sox’s Carlos May (hitting coach) and Ron LeFlore (assistant coach); former Cub Chico Walker is managing. The home season opens June 2. The stadium is located at 4545 Midlothian Turnpike in Crestwood, just off I-294 and Cicero Avenue. Phone 708-489-2255.
DON’T FORGET THE FIRE
The Chicago Fire, who last year won the Major League Soccer championship, return to Soldier Field for a 32-game season, including 16 regular and four special contests at home.
Director of communications Adam Low said prices from last year remain unchanged. “Game tickets range from $25 for VIP seats to $10,” Low said. “We offer a number of package deals as well.”
Those packages include full season (16 games plus four international or playoff contests), plus 11-game, six-game or Flex Plan packages. The last includes 20 vouchers that can be used all at once for a company party or parceled out, such as a family of four seeing five games. The cost ranges from $160 to $360.
The 11-game package offers fans a chance to see each MSL foe once. The cost ranges from $88 to $198. A full season ticket package ranges from $140 to $440.
Low said plans for special promotions such as Hat Night, T-Shirt Night and Photo Day are near completion.
Tickets can be purchased at Dominick’s, Tower Records, Blockbuster Music and Carson Pirie Scott stores, and at Ticketmaster by calling 312-559-1212, or call 888-MLS-FIRE. The home season opens April 10.
