Our drive to "The Cell" wasn't bad, with the traffic being light, even around the ballpark. All of the park's "official" parking lots were "Coupon Only" (which we had), so it kept a lot of the traffic away from the area. Our coupon was for a different lot than our Season Ticket coupons, so we parked north of the park instead of south. That allowed us to view the outside of the park a bit better, and that's when I finally saw it. I don't know how long it's been this way, but it's now official. Gone was the banner that hung over the "Comiskey Park" that was carved into the concrete. It now says U.S. Cellular Field. Not because of a temporary banner - it was now carved into the facade. Damn.
The park had minimal decoration. Center Field had a star mowed into it, and the All-Star logo was in front of each dugout. There was some new advertising on the outfield wall, but that was about it. No bunting draped from the rails. I guess that's only used for Opening Day and Post-Season play. I love bunting.
Security was definitely increased. In fact, down the lines where we normally sit, they moved the tiny little walls just slightly to allow security personal to sit on stools between the rail and wall and not interfere with the fans or the game. They didn't make the walls any higher (or safer for the players), they just moved them.
Of course, they needed more seating for VIPs, so they added 2 rows between the dugouts and the backstop, complete with a Plexiglas shield for safety.
We had tickets to the week's events, but, unfortunately, they were not our normal season ticket seats. Instead of being down the first base line, we're out in straight-away right field. All of our season ticket buddies were also out there... somewhere... strewn aomng the outfield sections. Our buddies Janie & Gary were at least in our section, in the row in front of us, but down at the opposite side of the section.
The crowd was not big, but it was scattered as if every seat was sold. It was RadioShack All-Star Sunday. The first event was the Futures Game. Top minor league prospects play a 7-inning game in a USA versus The World format.
Unfortunately, it was a bit boring.
You didn't know the players at all (though you knew their team affiliation). The play was slow. Pitching speeds were in the high 80's on average. It was minor league play. Good minor league play, but slow. It took about 2½ hours for a 7-inning game, that's how slow. In between innings, RadioShack was giving away prizes to fans either answering questions on camera, or just giving away stuff to entire rows of fans.
(Boxscore)
The game finally ended, and large flatbed trucks came onto the field and lined-up on the infield dirt. They were loaded with speakers and musical instruments. The band LIVE came out and played 2 songs (live, of course). I though this was a great way to have a quick concert without tearing up the field or having excessive setup & tear-down time.
They setup a temporary fence in the sort outfield to be used as the outfield wall for the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. By now, a lot of people have left, and "Celebrity"? We're stretching things a bit. Trista Rehn (The Bachelorette) and Andrew Firestone (The Bachelor)? (From what I've heard, everybody was interested in meeting Trista.)
The game was fun but SLOW. The pause in between innings was almost as long as the inning. Since it was being taped to be shown after the Home Run Derby tomorrow night, I have know idea if the pausing was necessary.
By the end of the 5-inning game, there was hardly anybody left in the park. The game's MVP was Bo Jackson. Carol and I went down behind the plate after the game, trying to take pictures (very hard in a crowd and trying to keep still when in low light levels in a crowd is hard). The cool thing was that no customer service people kicked us out. Period. I have no idea how long we could have stayed there. Probably until the field was cleared.
We eventually took out time and leisurely left the park. What an odd feeling - it felt like we were alone. And this is All-Star Week.
2005- It's Christmas Eve!!!
2004- Big Brother 5 - Episode 3
2002- Big Brother 3 - Day 8
- Gorgeous day for some bulls