Field: Progressive Field
Official Site: https://www.mlb.com/guardians/ballpark
Year Completed: 1994
Capacity: 34,830
Covered: No – Postponement/Rainout Policy
Mascot: Slider
The Game We’ll See: Thursday, August 17: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians (see all 30 here!)
Parking & Transportation:
Progressive Field’s parking is managed by a third party and is quite limited. You can reserve online if there is space. If they are sold out, the Guardians recommend SpotHero. There is no tailgating at Progressive Field.
One local Ballpark Chaser on Facebook suggest parking by the Fire Museum “catty-corner” to the stadium. It’s is underneath I-90, and is both cheap and easy to get into.
Oversized vehicle: There is no designated RV parking at Progressive Field.
Fans can also attend the game using public transportation. There are several bus options, plus two free trolleys that circulate through downtown Cleveland. You can find more information here.
Stadium Tours:
Progressive Field offers tours when games begin at 6:10 p.m. or later. The tour includes the Press Box and warning track, among other highlights, and costs $20. Tickets may be purchased online.
General Information:
Bags: Progressive Field permits bags that do not exceed 16” x 16” x 8” into the stadium. No storage is available for oversized bags.
Food & Beverages: Fans may bring their own food, but it must fit within the bag requirements. Fans may also bring in one, factory-sealed bottle of water that is 20 ounces or smaller. Empty plastic water bottles are also permitted.
Cashless transactions: All transactions are cashless.
Signs: Signs are permitted if they are baseball-related, don’t block views, interfere with the game, contain advertising, or contain offensive materials.
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 open 90 minutes prior to first pitch on Fridays and Saturdays, and 60 minutes prior to first pitch for all other games.
Cameras: Camera lenses are limited to 6”. Monopods, tripods, and selfie sticks are not permitted at Progressive Field.
Umbrellas: Progressive Field allows personal-sized umbrellas. Please be considerate when using one.
Where to Sit:
For shade, Ballpark Savvy recommends the third base line. Baseball Road Trip suggests looking for lower seats in Sections 162 to 174, back rows of the Field Boxes, or lower box rows.
If you aren’t on a tight budget and want to be close to the action, try for first level, left-field seats. Single letter rows in Field Box Sections 128 – 134 or 122 – 126, Lower Box Section 168, and Lower Reserve Sections 101 – 113 are also good choices. However, the Lower Reserve section gets a lot of sun, and you should avoid the top four rows which have compromised view lines.
For a bit better value, The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip recommends Sections 250 – 267 (except for the back rows).
If you are on a tight budget, Ballpark Savvy recommends the 300 level Mezzanine seats in right field. Progressive Field also has some location-specific, standing room only tickets available.
Food:
- Ballpark Savvy recommends visiting Melt, in Section 113, for mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwiches. This was also the top pick for Ballpark E-Guides.
- Ballpark E-Guides recommends topping the stadium’s signature Sugardale dog with Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard. Joe Bertman, a local business man and philanthropist, started the company in 1925. It is so popular that you can purchase the Cleveland Guardian Ballpark Mustard and bring it home to friends and family!
- Among the more unusual offerings at Progressive Field is the Happy Dog hotdog topped with Fruit Loops. Actually, they offer about 50 choices of toppings, but the breakfast cereal is apparently a popular choice. You can find Happy Dog in the Infield District.
- Baseball Road Trips and Ballpark E-Guides also recommend Barrio, in Section 109. This Cleveland tradition offers build-your-own tacos, beer, and tequila.
- Local Ballpark Chasers fans on Facebook recommend looking into The Terrace Club. It is air conditioned and heated, and includes all you can eat. Reservations are open to the public. According to one Chaser, the cost is $35 per person from Friday to Sunday and $26.50 per person Monday through Thursday.
First Time Visitors:
The Guardians allow fans to order a first-time certificate online or in person. To get the in person certificate, visit Fan Services in Section 153 or Section 550.
Autographs:
Autographs are prohibited at Progressive Field. However, one Ballpark Chaser recommends trying the players’ parking lot at the corner of Carnegie and East 9th.
Other Stadium Tips & Highlights:
According to one Ballpark Chaser on Facebook, Block C in left field is a great photo opportunity.
They also recommend going to the right field foul pole area to get in line for a field view from the old bullpen during an inning. Near the bullpen is an usher with a roped line. The usher lets a new group in every half-inning, and it is free to anyone in attendance for the game.
The same local Ballpark Chaser on Facebook said not to miss the hot dog race in during the 5th inning.
Designated drivers can register with the MLB Ballpark app. There is no mention of a benefit associated with doing so, other than safety, of course!
Heritage Park, located in the center field area, celebrates the club’s history.
The Cleveland Guardians’ retired numbers are displayed over right field. They include:
- 3 – Earl Averill
- 5 – Lou Boudreau
- 14 – Larry Doby
- 18 – Mel Harder
- 19 – Bob Feller
- 20 – Frank Robinson
- 21 – Bob Lemon
- 25 – Jim Thome
While we won’t have a lot of time for sightseeing, given the nature of our chase, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of the nation’s great museums. If you are looking for restaurants, try Little Italy or Panini’s on East 9th.
