Go Cubs Go!

I had never been to a baseball game so a visit to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, was an essential part of my itinerary.

Wrigley Field is one of the oldest sports stadiums in the USA. It’s a little like visiting Lords or Wimbledon. There is so much history and tradition around the place.Much of the stadium is covered in trimmed ivy and it still has a hand turned scoreboard.

The day that I visited the weather was perfect, a cloudless sky, warm and no wind. Cubs played Philadelphia  Phillies. The atmosphere is just like test cricket. Fans arrive and are seated in good time for the start. Players enter the field of play to polite applause before a hush sweeps around the ground. When play starts everybody concentrates. Not much happens for the first hour but then fans develop a thirst and start visiting the bars and the toilets.

I had not appreciated how rarely the the ball is struck so when it is belted over the stands it is a moment to savour. It is a great day out. Games last for around 3 to 4 hours. Everybody is friendly and relaxed. It is a great way to meet the locals and share a beer with them.