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.”
So glad to see what you spent the afternoon pointing your lens at. Printing them in B&W suits Wrigley just fine. Nice touch. It was a good day at the ballpark and I’m glad you got to see Wrigley before The Change. I do wish a ball had gotten lost in the ivy for you. It’s part of the spectacle that you’ll only see at Wrigley Field. Maybe next time … 🙂
I thought the same thing about the B&W images. Great captures.
Yes! when i was reading a little about the park I came across that rule. A beautiful park.. thank you so much for making it happen! c
What a fun outing and your black and white images are so great. They really capture the emotions and feel of the day in a way that color could not. I, too, am not a big sports fan. Formula One racing is the only sport I can watch and I get antsy with that, too. But I love that Wrigley has maintained that original feeling for so long, and I do hope they don’t screw it up too much. This is the first time I’ve really seen such views of that stadium and the stadium views of Chicago, and it is wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing!
Where we were sitting had the most fantastic views! We were very lucky that Chg John was in charge of the seating!! c
I’m so glad you made it up to a game Celi. It is such a fun place to be – win or lose. I’ve never had a bad time at the ballpark. I love the photos you took. They do capture the essence of the place.
Were you there on saturday? c
We enjoyed today’s blog immensely. We’re Boston Red Sox fans & Fenway Park is just as nostalgic as Wrigley, with the men changing the scores by hand. If my other 1/2 (Misfit) can find pictures of Fenway, he’ll forward them to you. But, unlike you, I do love the the game of baseball! Football, on the other hand is borrrring! Keep up the good work!
I would love to see those shots. though i am not good with sports i do love the stadiums.. And I love the love people have for the game. it is all so much more congenial here.. I never heard one Boo from the crowd, it was wonderful.. c
I went to a game a Wrigley Field years ago – on crutches! Thank you for stirring up the memory of that lovely day.
How on earth did you get back down those ramps on crutches! look after yourself sweetie.. c.
Love this! Now I need to go rummage through my old negatives and slides (remember those?!) from years ago when my photography class hung out around Wrigley. I totally remember that fire station and the very serious guys waiting in the street with their mitts. I’m just like you when it comes to “watching” a game, I can’t sit still either. Being from Detroit, I do love to listen to the Tigers on the radio while I’m out puttering in the garden; their announcers are the BEST. My Chicago south-side born and raised husband cheers for the Sox 🙂
I do remember those negs, i had my own darkroom for years.. LOVE to see some of your shots, that would be brilliant.. c
I so understand about sports! Although, like you, I enjoy the flavor the the event, watching the crowds and feeling the excitement. Also, a day away is a lovely treat no matter where a person gets to go.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
You are so right about the day OFF! It took come organising but it was just lovely! Morning Linda.. c
You are such a great photographer. I’m with you, I couldn’t watch a game but your photos and observations made me smile. It’s the romantic idea of baseball that I like.
And the romance is still there, ! c
What a great experience, I’ve never been either and now feel like I should have before the renos. Such a shame everything has to be made modern, some things are just as good as is. It looks like you and I have the same opinion regarding sports. At least the beer is tasty!
I hear that they are going to be careful with the renovations, it will be more bill boards and posh boxes, mostly they are for revenue gathering they tell me. I mean how else are they going to pay these guys, they are paid unreal amounts of money… c
It’s really too bad that the roof top galleries will be out of business, it’s such an integral part of the stadium, but I can surely see how the lost revenue would be a sore spot for the stadium and the team.
They are businesses now, not like the old days (in fact John and John told stories of visiting pals up there to watch the games and sharing beer across the rooftops) nowadays it is big business.. and the seats are expensive, but ah well they are on the fringes too, making money from the game.. evidently they have to share a percentage of what they make with the stadium too.. c
Love love love the black and white photo essay of Wrigley Field. it is the faces that are fascinating. We are all just a little voyeuristic and I had a wonderful time indulging this morning Celi. V.
I really should try to do more street photography .. like you i am fascinated by the faces.. c
How neat it is the original scoreboard. I hope they keep that. Fabulous photos.
They are going to keep it, and the short little men who live in there.. after all .. where else would they go! c
LOL too true!
I love this post! Your photos are fantastic! I was at Wriggly Field back in the late 80’s. I’m not much of a sports person either, but the atmosphere and people watching is always great entertainment!
There certainly is atmosphere, a rumble of goodwill .. c
I know that rugby, cricket and football each has its own vibe. I would love to go to a baseball match in the home of it – I’m sure the game also has a unique one.
Most definitely different from rugby and the footy, very mellow.. c
Kudos on the post! The pictures are work of art, they capture perfectly the ambiance in and around the field.
G
Thank you Giovanna, but i had a wealth of subjects up there! Tons of fun.. c
I am exactly on your team with regard to my interest in sports, however, like you I sometimes enjoy the spectacle. I have only ever seen Wrigley from the outside so thank you for the tour!
You are very welcome, i hope you get to visit the inside one day.. c