Rate Field

My visit to Guaranteed Rate Field came in the spring of 2021, when baseball was still finding its way back to normal after the pandemic. Fans were back in the stands, but with rules that would have sounded strange two years earlier.

The game was the Chicago White Sox hosting the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, May 30, 2021. The White Sox won 3-1 to finish off a four-game sweep, and they did it behind Lucas Giolito. He struck out 12 over seven innings and allowed one run on three hits. Billy Hamilton homered, Nick Madrigal broke a 1-1 tie with a go-ahead triple in the seventh, and Yoán Moncada drove him in right after. Liam Hendriks pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

For Baltimore, it was the 13th straight loss. For the White Sox, it was a sign of things to come, as they went on to win the AL Central that season.

Here are my thoughts on Guaranteed Rate Field.

Pros

The scoreboard is iconic. The exploding scoreboard with the pinwheels on top is a tradition that goes back to the original Comiskey Park, and the pinwheels still spin after every White Sox home run. It is one of the best traditions in baseball.

The ballpark is easy to get to without a car. The CTA Red Line stop at Sox-35th is right next to the ballpark, and the Green Line has its own Sox-35th stop a short walk away. If you are staying downtown, the train is the way to go.

The sightlines from the lower level are great. You are close to the field, and the view of the infield is clear from just about everywhere in the lower bowl. On a sunny afternoon, it was a great place to watch a pitcher’s duel.

The ballpark handled the pandemic rules well. The White Sox had just opened up to 60 percent capacity a week earlier, and the crowd of 21,067 was seated in pods with empty seats in between. Masks were required, everything was cashless, and the no-bag policy kept the lines moving. For a time when everything was new, it ran smoothly.

I paid around $60 for my ticket in the lower level which was great pricing. I tried the stadium nachos and a Chicago hot dog and they both were delicious and the pricing was not bad at all.

Cons

The area around the ballpark does not have much going on. Unlike Wrigleyville on the North Side, there are not a lot of bars and restaurants within walking distance, so most of the pregame action happens in the parking lots.

The no-bag policy means leaving the duffel bag at the hotel. Check the current rules before you go so you are not stuck at the gate.

Overall Game Day Experience

I would give Guaranteed Rate Field a 7.5 out of 10. The scoreboard is one of the best traditions in baseball, the CTA makes it easy to get there, and the lower-level views are great. The only knocks are the lack of things to do around the ballpark and the strict bag policy.

One update since my visit: the ballpark is now called Rate Field. The name changed before the 2025 season after the mortgage company shortened its name, so if you are planning a trip, that is the name you will see on the tickets. If you are a baseball fan visiting Chicago, see both sides of town. Take the Red Line, get there early and hope for a home run so you can see the pinwheels spin.