Ballpark Game Plan: Chicago White Sox & Guaranteed Rate Field

Field: Guaranteed Rate Field

Official Site: https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/ballpark

Year Completed: 1991

Capacity: 40,615

Covered: No – Postponement/Rainout Policy

Mascot: Southpaw, a.k.a. Fuzzy Green Dude

The Game We’ll See: Monday, August 21: Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox (see all 30 here!)

Parking & Transportation:

Guaranteed Rate Field does have parking lots available for fans. They recommend prepaying for parking at a discounted rate of $27 for Monday through Saturday games and $17 for Sunday games.

Tailgating is permitted.

Oversized vehicle: Parking Lot A is reserved for buses, but there is no information about whether RVs are permitted. Outdoorsy suggests parking your RV offsite and using your tow vehicle.

Fans can also use public transportation to reach Guaranteed Rate Stadium. There are several options outlined here.

There are no regularly scheduled tours of Guaranteed Rate Field. However, fans who are interested in a private tour can call the stadium to arrange one. The Chicago White Sox request a donation to support the Chicago White Sox Charities instead of payment.

General Information:

Bags: Guaranteed Rate Field allows clear bags no larger than 16” x 16” x 8” into the stadium. Clutch purses no larger than 9” x 5” x 2”, diaper bags, and medical device bags are also permitted. A third-party vendor provides a checking service for disallowed items. They are located in mobile trailers on the corner of 35^th and Shields, in parking lot C, and in parking lot E. There is a fee for the service.

Food & Beverages: Fans may bring their own food, but it must be packaged inside a clear, gallon-sized plastic bag. Fans may also bring in one, factory-sealed bottle of water no greater than one liter in size.

Cashless transactions: All transactions are cashless.

Signs: Signs are allowed but may not be posted on poles or during play, or contain advertising or offensive messaging.

Foul Balls: Fans may keep foul balls, as long as they don’t interfere with play or enter the playing area to retrieve them.

Gates: Gates generally open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.

Cameras: Cameras are permitted, but hard-sided and oversized camera bags, selfie-sticks, monopods, and tripods are prohibited.

Umbrellas: Small, compact umbrellas are permitted, but may not be used while the game is in play.

Where to Sit:

For shade, sit on the first base side of the stadium. During the day, try for the back rows of the 100 level on the right field line.

If you aren’t on a tight budget, Sections 109 to 120 and 144 to 155 are worth the extra cost, according to The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip. Section 159 is also a good choice. If those areas are not available, try for Sections 102 to 108, 157, or 158.

The best value, according to Baseball Bucket List, are in the 300 level, especially on the first base side.

If you are looking for the best possible low-cost seat, try for the bleachers in Sections 160 to 164 or a seat in foul territory.

The best places to catch a foul ball, according to Ballpark Savvy, are in Sections 12 to 14, and the first few rows of Sections 119 to 120. Baseball Bucket List argues that Sections 137 to 144 on the third base line and Sections 127 to 119 on the first base line are better.

Avoid the 500 level, as you can’t move to other levels to walk around, get food, or take in the full impact of the park. Also avoid sections 100, 101, 163 and 164, unless you are in the first row or two, as they have severely obstructed views.

Food:

Sox Machine gave home run reviews (the highest rating) to three items on the White Sox’ 2023 menu:
- Cheesesteak and Chimichurri Steak, from the Steak Sandwich Stand
- Hot Honey Chicken Loaded Fries in Sections 110 and 524
- Colossal Potato Wedges, from River Roast in the Diamond Suites and 300 Level
Ballpark Savvy recommends:
- Grilled corn on the cob from Elotes, in Sections 104, 127, 142, and 529.
- Comiskey’s Confections offers everything a sweet tooth could desire, from pastries to candy, in Sections 105.
- Chef’s Signature Carvery Sandwiches, in Section 109, offers a variety of sandwiches including a California Turkey Club and an Italian Grinder.
The Rainbow Cone is a Chicago tradition. It includes slices (not scoops) of orange sherbet, pistachio, Palmer House strawberry, and chocolate ice cream in a cone, and is available in Sections 158 and 526.
The official dog is the Comiskey Dog, which Baseball Bucket List says can be found in Sections 114, 152, and 544.
Outside the Field, Ballpark Chasers on Facebook recommend trying Vito and Nicks.
Also outside the park, Wellspring Family Services’ banker, Chris Frankovich, recommends a visit to Pequod’s Pizza and Portillo’s.

First Time Visitors:

Fans can pick up First Game Certificates from Rookie Corner, near Sections 101 or 522, or from Guest Relations on the 300 level behind home plate. You can also print one online here.

Autographs:

Guaranteed Rate Field allows fans to seek autographs on either side of the dugouts if you have access to the 100 Level of the park. Autograph request must stop 25 minutes before the first pitch.

Other Stadium Tips & Highlights:

The shower from Old Comiskey Park is available for fans who want to cool down on hot days! You can find it on the Main Level near section 161. In addition, Guaranteed Rate Field offers three Rain Rooms for fans on hot days. They are by Gate 1 on the Main Level, and Gates 3 and 5 on the Upper Level.

Get your picture with Charles Comiskey, Minnie Minoso, Carlton Fisk, Billy Pierce, Harold Baines, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Frank Thomas or Paul Konerko, whose statues appear on either side of the Fan Deck in center field on the Main Level.

Find the Old Comiskey Park home plate and batter boxes marked near Gate 5 in Parking Lot B. As you approach Gate 4, you’ll find a monument commemorating the White Sox’ 2005 World Series Championship. In the outfield, look for a plaque marking the spot where Jim Thome hit a ball into the Fan Deck in 2008.

In the sea of green stands, look for two of the stadium’s original blue seats. These mark the spots of two balls hit during the 2005 World Series. Section 159, Row 7, Seat 4 is the landing spot for Paul Konerko’s grand slam that moved the White Sox into the lead in Game 2. In the 9^th inning, Scott Podsednik hit a walk off home run to end the game in victory. The landing spot is marked by the blue seat in Section 101, row 1, seat 13.

The White Sox have 11 retired numbers, including: