There is so much to love about U.S .Cellular Field that it’s hard to know where to begin. It has plenty of parking, funnel cakes, urinals … what else could a baseball fan possibly need? Unlike its counterpart across town, the White Sox have kept up with all of the latest ballpark innovations. They have mastered the use of electronic scorekeeping. They have installed a JumboTron.
They have outfitted the bathrooms with the most up-to-date urinal technology available.
I always hear the “at least we fill up our park” refrain from Cubs fans, but that’s because we White Sox fans are more discriminating and only show up if the team is winning. Or if it’s half-price night.
Playing hardball like that spurred the team to make improvements that have really made a world of difference in the atmosphere, particularly changing the seats from a blinding bright blue to a more welcoming green and reconfiguring the upper deck.
U.S. Cellular has given my family numerous fond memories over the years. One of my favorites was watching Bo Jackson crush a home run during the team’s home opener in 1993 on his first swing. Bo had just made his amazing comeback from receiving an artificial hip. He dedicated the hit to his mother, who had passed away that spring.
We also watched the White Sox sweep their way to a World Series victory. Sharing the 2005 playoffs and World Series championship with my sons was definitely special for me. It was cold and wet, but extremely heartwarming.
The food at U.S. Cellular Field has also been a source of many memories. Most recently, I remember the 20 pounds of White Sox-related weight I put on last season, because I am still trying to lose them.
It’s that combination of funnel cake, ample parking and fond memories that keeps me coming back to the South Side when I need my baseball fix.
Also, did I mention they have urinals?
Top 10 is nice … but Cleveland rocks
Comparing the Cell to Cleveland’s Progressive Park, the former Jacobs Field, the No. 1-ranked venue in all of baseball.
%% THE CELL PROGRESSIVE
8 OVERALL RANKING 1 18 AFFORDABILITY 10 2 FOOD 6 17 TEAM QUALITY 3 15 TRADITION 6 8 ATMOSPHERE 2 4 FAN IQ 9 23 HOSPITALITY 19 4 PROMOTIONS 3 1 TRAFFIC 4 23 NEIGHBORHOOD 9 %%
Note: Respondents at SI.com were asked to rank the ballparks on 10 criteria and each was weighted equally.
