Built in 1914, Wrigley Park is known to be the oldest original Big League Baseball park still remaining in America. It is shortly to be cleaned up and renovated a little so John and I went up to Chicago to join Chg John in a last look before it is changed. I had never been here before. The John, John pair had been numerous times before and were full of stories.
When we popped up into the sunlight from the underground we were immediately accosted by hawkers and scalpers and panhandlers and crowds. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Everyone was having a good time. This was probably my lasting impression of the day. The game was one thing, but having a good time while watching the game was why they came.
The T shirts and caps are the same the world over. Just different logos.
Some participants in the promenade on the fringes were more serious than others.
But generally the thousands of people who thronged the streets and pubs were out for a good time. There was no animosity between the teams followers. They were all there to have a great day out or to make money from the people having a great day out. And it worked.
On the street behind the outfield(Wrigley Park is built in a lovely old residential area) people stand waiting with their mitts. They are listening for the crack of the ball hitting the bat which may preempt the ball being hit right out of the park. These people catch the balls that sail over the bleachers and into the street. Actually these men were pretty serious too.
The firemen.. not so serious.
Once inside the Stadium, the sweep of the perfectly groomed green, and the walls covered in Ivy, with the backdrop of Chicago was truly impressive. You can see to the right of this shot where companies have trimmed the tops off the houses and built mini stadiums. Roof top watching is not what it used to be! The renovations to the park include huge revenue gathering billboards, that will be sited right in front of the rooftop view. Some people are a little bit cranky about that.
For me: The lead up to the game was much more fun to watch than the game itself. I do apologise to all you cubs fans but I was more interested in the fans than the game.
This score board is original. Little men sit in the dark in there, watching the game through tiny tiny windows and manually change the numbers on the board as the game progresses. Thank goodness the fans won the battle to keep the score board. There will be another fancy pancy one with all the bells and whistles and flashing lights but it will be off to the side and probably block someone else’s view.
The lights are a comparatively modern addition.
I suppose the lasting impression of the day was the joy of the crowds coming to the ballgame. There was no shouting at the ref, or cans being thrown at the field, there were no fights between the fans or between the players.
People came to watch the game and have a drink and talk to each other. 
There is even a gate that is left un-masked so anyone can pause and watch a bit of the game as they pass by.
Everyone will tell you I know nothing about sport. Nor do I care to. I am happy to leave that to you. I love that people love sport but I could not sit still for a whole game if I was paid. Many of my friends in NZ will tell you this. They will tell you that I am more likely to comment on the length of a players legs or the colour of his shorts than the game itself. They will also tell you that they sigh with relief when I get bored and wander off.
So I will make no comments on the game itself. But I was glad I went to Wrigley Field and was able to taste a little of the joy that surrounds the game. The traditions that cradle this joy. And the sweetness of belonging. We were surrounded in laughter. This big old field has history on it’s side. The stadium is the winner.
Bet you didn’t guess I was going to a ball game did you?!
Today I am back on the September Home Grown Challenge. Eating only what I produce. Enough of the gallivanting about the country side! We found a restaurant serving local produce and had to laugh when we saw the names of towns quite close to us where this local produce was produced! So I made notes and will be doing some visiting when The September Challenge is over.
You all have a lovely day.
your friend back on the farm, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “Wrigley Field: a photographic essay: baseball on the fringes.”
I would love to watch a game in an old stadium like that… the history and atmosphere must be electrifying…
It was never quiet, not like watching the tennis! Everyone was talking and laughing and drinking and taking each others photos.. with only one eye on the game.. great! c
Certainly surprised me. I thought that baseball crowds would be like English football crowds ( that means soccer not rugby, which I like ) which are to be avoided at all costs in my mind. It sounds like you, and your Johns ( that sounded bad) had a good time and took great pics..love them. It’s odd that rugby crowds in England are nearly always peaceful, in that the only people fighting are on the pitch. Soccer crowds reverse that principle:)
Yes the footy games in england are pretty intense. In London I lived kind of close to a football stadium, the roars of disgust and booos when things went wrong could be heard for blocks and the crowd was nothing like the congenial laid back crowd at the baseball. AND everyone sat together.. no sides! Imagine!! c
What a lovely surprise for us to read this – so glad you had a lovely day and you spent time with the John, John pair! Big Man and I went to the final of the Basketball last year at the Olympics (US vs Spain – I had hoped for this and got lucky!). Spain lost 😦 but like you, my abiding memory of the event was the fun, the atmosphere, the fans, the laughter and the general feeling of goodwill to each other. This is what sport should be like. In fact, this is what politics and running the world should be like – if only 😉
just imagine the politicians of today laughing and jostling with a beer in a plastic cup!! What a thought! c
What a lovely thought Chica Andaluza! And yes, if only.
That’s a fantastic venue, I hope they don’t screw it up 😉
The man who owns it now has been going to this stadium since he was a little boy and though he is making changes to make more money, I think he has a genuine affection for the old building, so lets hope some of the old traditional bones are allowed to stay intact. c
I’m in your camp, Celi. I’ve never been much of a *sports fan. However I love your B&Ws of the people and the game at Wrigley! Seeing these in color would diminish the experience.
(*Well, OK, briefly in Jr. High. 😉 )
I was a pompom girl when i lived here as a 16 year old, does that count? c
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time Celi, (and took so many photos!) Have to tell you a little story. (Oh no, not again!…lol) This was 22 yrs ago when my then husband and I went away on a little holiday down the coast. I was just pregnant with Chloe and hormonal to the max. We stopped at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fran and as I got out of the car I was flattened by a guy running between the cars with a sack of stolen T shirts. The another guy came running after him with a knife, hit me and pushed me flat against the car again. I was an absolute basket case. I was inconsolable and J didn’t know what to do so we went back to our hotel in Oakland for me to recover. In the evening we saw the baseball stadium lights and, even though I was never, ever getting out of the hotel room ever again, I got the bravery to go to the baseball game. And there, we found the most loving, kind, wonderful people I’ve ever met in my life. Some invited us to come stay at their home instead of the hotel and many are still my friends. American baseball fans are the most fantastic people in the world!
How completely terrifying, esp the man with his knife intent on getting his T shirts back. T shirts and knives sound a little incongruous though. I am glad you came back out into the light though! What an experience.. c
i have to show this to my husband and son. we live baseball and all sports here. 81 home games and they never miss one. i am a baseball widow! i have to watch the games on tv just to be able to talk to them during the season.
John and his mother are like that, 50 percent of their conversation is incomprehensible to me! c
This was so much fun to read — I felt the excitement of the day. How great to have visited before the ballpark is renovated. Why is it that these renovations always manage to take all of the soul out of a place? I hope there is some of that intangible spirit left when they are done with Wrigley Field.
In that big shot of the front of the park you can just imagine it in the early part of that century, it looked exactly the same.. so I do hope they are being careful/. c
Sounds like a fabulous day Celi!!! I’m with you though, getting into the sitting and watching of sports is very difficult for me too!!! xo
I think you have to be born to it!! I am not from a sport in front of the tele family..!
Have a listen to this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TgPPLHPx8PU
Frank Sinatra seems to feel the same way you do.
I could never get into rounders/baseball and many other sports leave me cold, so I could understand your being much more interested in the surroundings and audience! I liked my sports to be as a participant rather than a watcher, when I was young and fit.
Love,
ViV
The Americans are deeply unimpressed when I call Baseball – Rounders .. The sound track is perfect! For a change I am able to play a UTube vid. It is a bit sad though. Thank you Viv.. c
I’m totally with you on sports, C. I could care less. I’m a people watcher, too. I see a few of those police officers giving you the eye. Sounds like you had a great time, despite the game.
The game was nice too, just a wee bit .. um.. laid back i guess, I have to admit though that I talked my oops THE Johns into leaving a wee bit early and walking down a few blocks to a lovely italian restaurant with very cold wine! c
Once during a visit with my sister, she took me to a baseball game (I’m an avid baseball fan!), and it was a totally memorable day – a proper ballpark hotdog, an icy beer, and the crack of a bat. Heaven. Glad you had the chance to see Wigley, c.
fancy you being a baseball fan! Excellent.. what was great about the game was that everyone there wanted to be there and wanted to have a good time.. sounds obvious but it is a recipe for success, no matter how badly your team plays! c
I was on my high school baseball team. My mother taught me to swing a bat … quite well, too. Yes, indeed — fancy that. 😉
most excellent! c
A woman after my own heart regarding watching sporting events! Well, apart from the Tour de France that is! Lovey ‘people’ photos.
Christine
Morning Christine.. I have never watched the Tour de France but I think Eha does. Where is Eha anyway?, we have not heard from her in the comments lately! I must track her down.. c
I’m like you. I have very little patience for sports, but I LOVE the excitement, the joy, the energy that flows at these kinds of events.
$7.75 for a beer? Oh, goodness!
Goodness indeed, but that is fine i was waiting for a wine down the road! Only 9 dollars! c
People watching is my very favorite sport.
Well done photo B&W photo essay.
People watching..a favourite of us all I think!! c