First Pitch Memories: First Game at Wrigley Field
Some family adventures take months of planning. Others happen because an opportunity presents itself and you simply can't pass it up.
This was the second kind.
When we saw that the Chicago Cubs were hosting the Cincinnati Reds on August 4th, we knew we had to make it happen. As a family living in Northern Indiana, getting to Chicago for a weekday game isn't exactly easy. Work schedules, school activities, Chicago traffic. We knew we'd be cutting it close. We went anyway.
Growing up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, the Reds were an instrumental part of my teenage years. Some of my favorite memories involve watching Reds baseball with my sibling. Also, the girls’ first Major League game was the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark. This seemed like a great introduction to one of the most historic ballparks in America.
Free Parking
After a race up Interstate 80/90, we arrived at the Cubs free parking lot. Parking near Wrigley on a game day is its own adventure, and not always a fun one. The Cubs do offer free remote parking with a complimentary shuttle for all night and weekend games. The official lot is at 3900 N. Rockwell St. near Irving Park Road and the Chicago River, and shuttles run starting two hours before first pitch through an hour after the game ends. We used it and it is free, which is great. Just go in with realistic expectations: the school buses that serve as shuttles can take a while to make their way to the drop off, and there is still a walk involved once you get there. It is not a quick door-to-door experience. But for a free option in Chicago, it gets the job done and beats circling Wrigleyville looking for a $50 spot.
First Time Certificates
There wasn't much time to explore before the game started, but the girls were immediately captivated. The ivy-covered walls. The hand-operated scoreboard. The energy that only a ballpark like Wrigley can produce. It hits you the moment you walk in. Our first stop was getting a First Game Certificate for each of the girls: a simple keepsake that instantly became an important souvenir of the summer. It's amazing what a piece of paper can mean when the moment behind it is right.
If you're bringing a first-timer to a Cubs game, stop by this booth before you find your seats. It is located on the third base side of the park by the Gallagher Way Gate on the Main Concourse. Don't skip this.
The Seats
A word on seats at Wrigley. Built in 1914, it is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, trailing only Fenway Park by two years. That history and character are a big part of what makes it special, and it is also something to plan around when picking your seats. We sat in Section 227, Row 12, on the 200 level, and while the seats were great, we were just far enough back to deal with some obstruction from the posts. If you're in the 200 level, try to get within the first five to seven rows to avoid that issue. One big advantage of the 200 level is that it is covered, so if there's any chance of rain, it's a smart place to be.
If you're visiting on a perfect summer evening with no weather concerns, the 300 level might actually be the move. You get elevated, panoramic views of the field and the ivy without the obstructed sightlines from the posts. On a clear night with the city behind you and the whole park laid out below, that's hard to beat. Something we'll keep in mind for our next visit.
The Seventh Inning Stretch
After no short of 1,000 Ballpark snacks, we reached the seventh inning stretch. Where nearly 40,000 people sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" all at once. Hearing that many voices fill Wrigley Field is one of those experiences that doesn't get old, whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth. For the girls, it was their first. I watched their faces during it. Worth the drive alone.
Cubs legend Rick Sutcliffe had returned to Wrigley Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and to lead "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". Right before the seventh inning stretch, Sutcliffe paid tribute to Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg, who had recently passed away from prostate cancer on July 28th. It gave the whole evening an emotional weight that went beyond just a regular Tuesday night game.
Go Cubs Go…?
We missed one Wrigley tradition because the Reds had other plans.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Wrigley lost its mind for about ninety seconds.
The Cubs were down 3-2 with two outs when Dansby Swanson stepped to the plate. Swanson had already homered earlier in the game, so the crowd was electric. A runner, Willi Castro, was on third. Swanson hit a chopper to third base and was ruled safe at first. Castro scored to tie the game and Wrigley erupted.
But…then the Reds challenged.
Replay review showed that Swanson's final step had missed first base as he crossed the bag. The call was overturned. Inning over. The roar turned to silence, turned to booing. The emotional whiplash in that stadium was something I won't forget.
The Reds held on 3-2. That meant the postgame "Go Cubs Go" celebration stayed quiet. The girls were a little disappointed not to hear the famous song. They still left with smiles and memories that will last a lot longer than the final score.
That's the thing about baseball. Years from now, none of us will remember every pitch or every inning. What we'll remember is the race up I-90 to make first pitch, watching the girls hold their certificates up like they'd earned something, singing during the seventh inning stretch, and spending a summer evening together in one of America's most beloved ballparks.
The Cubs may have lost. Our family definitely won.
A Few Tips If You're Planning a Trip to Wrigley
Weekday games are absolutely doable from Northern Indiana, but build in extra time for Chicago traffic. Coming straight from work or school means you will be cutting it close, and Wrigley is not the place you want to miss the first pitch.
Stop by Guest Services as soon as you get inside and grab First Game Certificates for any kids attending their first game. It takes two minutes and becomes an instant keepsake.
Even if your team loses, take time to soak in the history and atmosphere. Wrigley is one of those places that earns its reputation. Let the kids feel it.
And teach them both songs. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for the seventh inning stretch, and "Go Cubs Go" for after. Just in case.
