A big piece of Chicago's soul, an ancient stadium that keeps alive the quirky, edgy madness of baseball.
For sports-fans, Chicago is about one of two things – the Bears or the Cubs. But while the Chicago Bears football team switched from Wrigley Park in 1971, its legendary baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, have stuck true to their long heritage here. They've stayed put at one of America's most iconic sports fields, ever since it was built in 1914. After all, Wrigley Park has legendary sporting triumphs (and disasters) steeped into every seat, and written on every leaf of its ivy-covered outfield walls.
And even if you're not a sports fan, neglecting to put Wrigley Park on your sight-seeing list would be a real pity. Despite all of the world history that has happened outside this hallowed baseball diamond, it's the quirky history made within its outfield walls that really counts amongst a big number of Chicagoans.
That fame and quirkiness starts with those ivy-covered outer walls. Wrigley Park is the only professional ballpark that is still clad in ivy – a point of some pride with the Cubs fans. That ivy even plays its own part in the game. When a ball is lost amongst it, the fielder is often seen desperately searching, as the other side's players sprint for a home-run.
The low-slung design of this Windy City stadium plays a big role in the games played here in. They let the wind in to play. Sometimes it blows hard from Lake Michigan, to the north-east, knocking back the balls that would otherwise be home-runs. Other times, it's 'blowing out' from the south, which gives a boost to even the most badly hit balls. Pitchers reckon Wrigley Park is the most unpredictable park in the professional game.
Of course, you could come to Wrigley Field on the off-game days, and take the tour, hear the history, and see the trophies. But if you want to truly feel the spirit of this baseball-mad city, come to a game. The season runs from April to October. And Wrigley is one of the few stadiums open enough to view that you can watch games from surrounding rooftops. It's relaxed, fun and you won't pay the full ticket price. The only pity is that you'll miss the chance to catch one of those rocket balls, with 'home run' written all over it.
