High-ranking Cubs execs yesterday confirmed that "delays in their ambitious" renovation of Wrigley Field "will prevent the popular bleacher section from being ready for at least five weeks of the season and perhaps longer." Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney at the Cubs Convention said that the left-field bleachers "won't open until May 11 at the earliest while late May is the target for the right-field bleachers." Safety issues "will prevent the center-field section from being open before May 11." There are "about 5,500 bleacher seats" at Wrigley, and "about 2,000 season ticket holders will be affected by the delay." Fans throughout the ballpark also "face the prospect of no wireless service the entire season" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/18).
Also at the Cubs Convention, team Chair Tom Ricketts "was told by a fan that people say that kids 'have more fun at U.S. Cellular Field' than at Wrigley Field." After a pause, Ricketts smiled and said, "Can’t be that many kids having fun at U.S. Cellular." The remark "was an obvious shot at the White Sox's attendance problems" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 1/17).
