Fans attending Opening Day, or whenever their first game of the season will be, will notice a few changes inside Wrigley Field. The most notable is the Budweiser Patio located over the knothole where the ill fated bleacher box seats once resided. Fans will also see a new LED screen below the deck. The screen is designed to give fans information on players, give ball and strike counts, pitch speed and other pertinent information.
The new party patio and 75-foot LED screen were announced at the Cubs Convention over the weekend. At that time, Executive Vice President for Marketing and Sales Wally Hayward said that the LED screen would satisfy a need to get more player information to the fans. Currently there are two small screens, one above the upper deck seats half way down the first base side, the other above the upper deck seats halfway down the third base side. These screens, which also show other game scores, are small and difficult to see. Many fans don’t even know they exist. When asked whether replays would be shown on the screen, the answer was no because of its size.
The Budweiser Patio will accommodate groups of 50, 100 or 150 people. Like the rooftops across from the Friendly Confines, the party deck will offer all you can eat and drink concessions, just inside the ballpark. Each block of 50 tickets includes both standing room and seated tickets.
Fan reaction to the new screen in particular was mostly favorable, but not totally.
“I think they picked the best available spot to put the new section. Any kind of board that allows them to put graphics and the like will be appreciated - although, being in the well might remove it from the view of some in the stadium.” said season ticket holder John Nolan.
But not everyone sees either the screen or the party deck as a good thing for Wrigley.
“I'm there to watch baseball game [and] really don't care about bells n whistles. I have all the stats I need on a small scoreboard or score cards. As far as party deck... It's a baseball game!!!!!! This is not good for the feel of Wrigley Field and old time baseball in one of last places where Ruth played,” said fan Daniel Mendoza.
Some have even compared the seating for the new Budweiser patio with the seating offered on the Big Green Monster at Fenway Park in Boston.
The landmarked status of the scoreboard in center field and the coveted ivy will not be touched.
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