first game since 1999

[tony72]

I grew up in Chicago as a big White Sox fan and moved to Columbus six years ago before returning to Chicago this fall so the last game I went to at Comiskey was 1999.

 

Driving by the park recently I was amazed at the changes to the stadium from the outside and even the changes in the neighborhood ! I have seen some of the stadium changes on T.V. but not in person. I purchased four tickets to opening day (fifth row - upper deck ) and can't wait to see the inside for the first time since the changes.

 

I always loved baseball - but could not stand how the Sox were always treated by people as a bad stadium in a bad neighborhood - but I think this is great that this is not true anymore.

 

I am excited about what I think will be a terrific team this year. I was wondering-what other changes are planned for Comiskey? Also - how much do you think the area will change in the next five to ten years? Will it be a more lively iarea so people hang around after a win (or even a loss) instead of everyone leaving after the game?

 

It is good to be back.

 

Tony

[southsider2k5]

Welcome to Soxtalk, and you will LOVE the new park. It is a whole new experience.

[JUGGERNAUT]

  I grew up in Chicago as a big White Sox fan and moved to Columbus six years ago before returning to Chicago this fall so the last game I went to at Comiskey was 1999.

 

Driving by the park recently I was amazed at the changes to the stadium from the outside and even the changes in the neighborhood !  I have seen some of the stadium changes on T.V. but not in person.  I purchased four tickets to opening day (fifth row - upper deck ) and can't wait to see the inside for the first time since the changes.

 

I always loved baseball - but could not stand how the Sox were always treated by people as a bad stadium in a bad neighborhood - but I think this is great that this is not true anymore.

 

I am excited about what I think will be a terrific team this year.  I was wondering-what other changes are planned for Comiskey?  Also - how much do you think the area will change in the next five to ten years?  Will it be a more lively iarea so people hang around after a win (or even a loss) instead of everyone leaving after the game? 

 

It is good to be back.

 

Tony

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm really looking forward to the skills area in the LF concourse. As far as the area goes the White Sox still don't have the college campus advantage that Wrigley has so I don't see it having much of an impact on attendance. The bulk of the fans will continue to draw from the surrounding burbs. IIT's enrollment remains amongst the lowest in the Chicago area so that doesn't help much. In contrast the surrounding universities for Wrigley have the highest enrollment #'s. You're talking about an 7-8 to 1 advantage there.

 

I'm not sure what Boyer is planning but I would hope he is thinking about charter bus service for the campuses of UofIC & UoC. That would certainly help the most.

Give those students a reason to attend the games & make it easier for them to do so.

It would likewise be a good idea to hit all the downtown campuses as well. Setup a BO in the schools themselves to increase the teams presence.

 

Before & after events in Daytona they have a band that plays in the park to go along

with the numerous food & merchandize kiosks there. I would hope the White Sox adopts something like that because I think it would help. Weather permitting of course.

 

Attendance aside I think you'll really enjoy the park this summer. The changing of the green will really make you feel more at home in a ball park than a stadium. The shorter roof already makes it feel more cozy.

 

As for the team itself, well it's pretty much the same story since you left. It's not a deep team so it can't absorb too many injuries. Certainly none in the rotation. If it can stay healthy it should contend for the division crown. If it can't well the team could finish as low as 4th in the division.