10 Tips for Watching a Chicago Cubs Game
It's baseball season, and on the north side of Chicago, fans are flocking to Chicago's historic Wrigley Field to watch the lovable losers try to get to .500. Whether you're a Cubs fan or a baseball fan, going to Wrigley is a must on most visitors' lists. It is, afterall, a historic venue. I've put together a few tips for you first time Wrigley folks, mainly because it's an experience like no other, and I would hate for you, my loyal reader, to come unprepared!
1. Take public transit. It's really easy - just hop on the Red Line to Addison. If you're coming up on game day, just follow the other people in Cubs gear. When in doubt, ask directions! There is very little parking around the stadium, and traffic can get really hairy before and after the game. For the adventurous among you, hop on the 22 Clark bus or the 36 Broadway bus up to Addison. The bus takes a little longer, but you get to see more of the city.
2. Look at the weather report. Chicago weather is nothing if not unpredictable. Make sure you bring plenty of layers and a rain jacket if you are coming to the city for a game. Wrigley is historic, which means that a whole lot of the seats are fully exposed to the elements, and the field is small, so there's not a lot of covered standing room like in some of the newer stadiums. If you are coming to a game in April - bring a sweatshirt at the very least! When the sun goes down, Chicago cools off very quickly. (At the risk of sounding too much like a mom, I will move on̷ 
3. Get tickets. There are several ticket brokers that typically have game-day tickets available. These are legit - don't mess with scalpers. A big part of going to a Cubs game is the Wrigleyville experience. There are TON of bars around the ballfield, so if you get up to Addison and you can't get tickets, you can always hang out in the Cubby Bear or Murphy's Bleachers and watch the game. Is it as good as the real thing? Not really, but in a pinch, it will certainly do.
4. Imbibe responsibly. Let's say you're up for a game in August. You scored sweet bleacher seats, and probably a lot of sun. If you did you duty as a non-driving baseball fan, you probably had a few Old Styles to round out the Wrigley experience. Now, it's 3:30 in the afternoon and you want to keep the party going. Great! Just bring a friend with some common sense. There are a whole lot of people milling around Wrigleyville before, during, and after every game. No one wants to be with the drunk guy starting fights. In fact, I should think that very few of you would want to be the drunk guy starting fights. With that being said, go ahead and...
5. Check out the bars. Bypass the usual suspects with lines out the door. Go for a change of pace at Exedus Lounge, a reggae bar smack in the middle of Wrigleyville. Or, if you're in for a little stroll, the Hofbrau Haus has a branch right here in Chicago at Uberstein. Two words: liter beers. There are probably four or five bars per block on Clark and Sheffield. Just pick a street and head south - you're bound to find something you like.
6. Get some gear. You would be remiss in your duties as a tourist if you didn't pick up a Cubs t-shirt or hat. There are so many options for t-shirts, hats, mini baseball bats, baseballs, infant onesies, and teddy bears that I'm sure you'll find something you like. A word for the ladies, though, go with the traditional red and blue clothes. Pink is not a Cubs color!
7. Buy a program. At most major league baseball parks, buying a program seems silly. However, Wrigley does not have a jumbo screen in the outfield. Repeat: Wrigley does not have a jumbo t.v. screen in the outfield. Wrigley does have, however, a sweet old school organ to play during the game. I for one, think that the organ music makes the Old Style taste better.
8. Have a hot dog. Have it Chicago style - that's relish, tomato, celery salt, onion, a pickle spear, and mustard. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put ketchup on your hot dog. People will look at you funny, and you don't want that!
9. Study a little baseball. Since Wrigley doesn't have a jumbo screen, it helps your game experience significantly to know what strikes, balls, and outs mean. You don't have to have an in depth knowledge of the game, but knowing the basics will make your Wrigley experience that much better. If you feel better with commentary, by all means, bring a small radio with you and you can listen to the game on The Score (670 AM).
10. Have fun! Relax, after all, baseball is America's favorite pastime, not high adrenaline sport. Enjoy the weather and the atmosphere. Take in the experience of one of America's oldest ballparks - you'll be glad you did!
Hopefully, we'll see you in October!
