Construction workers this week are "swarming Wrigley Field's outfield, installing seating and grooming concrete in preparation for the Cubs next home game Monday," according to a front-page piece by Chris Hine of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The outfield benches "aren't all installed and won't be painted until later in the season, but when the Cubs face the Mets on Monday night, the bleachers will be open to fans for the first time this season -- with some new additions." The Cubs today released renderings of the redesigned bleacher area. Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney yesterday said that the team has "created two new standing-room sections in left field that they are calling 'the well,' which sits just behind the ribbon video board on the left-field wall, and 'the porch,' which is under the new video board in left-center." Hine notes the right-field bleachers, "slated to open June 11, will have a porch area behind the benches." There will also be a "new concession area in center field called 'the platform,' which will feature more concession options and wider walkways for fans to navigate." Kenney said that the new bleacher areas "were installed with an eye toward satisfying the demand for group and corporate ticket sales, and the changes are meant to create an atmosphere that promotes mingling among people who come in a group." Hine notes the Cubs "removed three rows of bleachers in left field to create the well, which can hold 50 people in three sections, although one group or business can reserve the entire well for a game." The porch sections will "accommodate about 100 and will feature their own bars, with the left-field video board providing shade for that area." Season tickets "are not available in either section" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/5).
