Why you should take a trip to Wrigley

April 19, 2016

It is no secret to my friends, family and anyone who reads my bio, that I am a die-hard Cubs fan, and have been since the young age of nine. My love of the game and Chicago’s team has influenced me to the point of changing career paths. So, naturally, as the season began so did my search for tickets. I eventually found some along the first base line for a game during the opening series at Wrigley against the Cincinnati Reds.

I took my younger sister, a fellow die-hard, and speed-walked down Clark, since we thought the newly implemented metal detectors would greatly slow the entry process, as so many news outlets reported. While it was sad to see the beautiful stadium tarred by metal detectors, a constant reminder of safety threats we are plagued with in this day and age, the lines moved impressively fast making our early arrival unnecessary. As we searched for our seats, we scoured the concourse for tasty snacks to purchase in between innings. Finally, we got to our aisle and my heart felt as though it could burst as I looked around at all the anticipating fans, the lush grass, the bright night-lights and into the Cub’s dugout.

After that point, it was as if I was at a party. We sat in a patch of rowdy fans, including ourselves, who took responsibility for starting each chant heard along the first base line. We danced during each walk-up song and played every guessing game up on the jumbotron. After the fourth we ran to grab a bag of salty peanuts, a couple waters and two huge slices of cheese pizza, which are now available at Wrigley. After we got back to our seats we watched a mini comedy sketch put on by the players making them even more lovable than they already are. On top of this the Cubs played exceptionally well, outscoring the Reds 8-1. We saw a KBoom (home run from Kris Bryant), an RBI double from the pitcher (a rare occurrence for any other team in baseball) and golden glove worthy catches from outfielders Heyward and Fowler. We, along with the entire stadium, remained standing for the final two innings, for all the excitement prevented anyone from being able to sit peacefully and watch.

At the finish, we sang “Go Cubs Go” with tens of thousands of fellow fans who waived their W flags high. My sister and I sauntered out of the stadium, recounting the events we had just experienced moments ago. I felt fantastic, not only because I had just witnessed a phenomenal performance by the Cubs but because I was given the best three-hour break from the realities of life (homework, homework and more homework) that anyone could ask for. This is why I advice you, baseball fan or not, to attend a ballgame at Wrigley sometime soon. Even if you couldn’t care less about the game you’ll find yourself dancing and laughing in a matter of no time. Most likely, you’ll end up screaming at the visiting pitcher and chanting Rizzo’s name too.