On July 10 (local time), Munetaka Murakami returned to the Chicago White Sox’s starting lineup. This came 42 days after he was placed on the injured list in May due to a thigh strain. The move occurred just as expectations were soaring that he might win the home run title in his rookie year, having hit 20 home runs by May—the fastest such feat in history.
The White Sox’s home stadium, “Riot Field” (333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL), is located about a 10-minute drive south of downtown Chicago; the massive stadium suddenly appears in the suburbs. It features a vast parking lot, and on game days, people flock here from all over Chicago; however, access by train is also convenient, as the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line station (Sox-35th) is located right nearby.
The stadium has a capacity of 40,615. Unlike MLB stadiums, which use terms like “first-floor seats,” second-tier, and third-tier sections; instead, they are referred to as the 100 Level, 200 Level, 300 Level, and so on. Rate Field is also broadly divided into the Main Level (100s) and the Upper Level (500s), with various premium seating sections located in between.
You can check the details on the official seating chart and other resources. My impression is that the 100 Level lets you experience the players’ performances up close, while the 500 Level lets you feel the passion of the local fans who come to watch almost every day (since it’s reasonably priced). If you’re a Japanese traveler visiting Chicago to catch a game, I’d recommend the 100 Level if possible, but if you plan to attend several games during your stay, you might want to schedule a day to sit in the 500 Level as well. Tickets can be purchased online through the official website.
Premium seats come with private boxes or lounges, or are designed for group viewing. For example, “Rate Club” features covered, cushioned seats on the 200 Level directly behind home plate, along with an all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink buffet and bar (all-inclusive), and parking fees are included in the package. The website features a virtual tour, allowing you to experience the interior in 3D.
Many of these premium seats cannot be selected through regular ticket sales and must be arranged by making an individual inquiry; however, according to Brooks Boyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer of the Chicago White Sox, the team is already working with Japanese travel agencies such as JTB to develop travel products (hospitality packages) for the 2027 season and beyond, and plans to offer options allowing individual travelers to book private boxes and club seats on a case-by-case basis.
By the way, when visiting Rate Field, you’ll want to be aware of the “bag policy.” To prevent the entry of hazardous items, only transparent bags measuring 12 × 12 × 6 inches (30.48 × 30.48 × 15.24 cm) or smaller, with a visible interior, are permitted; backpacks are prohibited, even if they are transparent. Also, while you might want to take lots of photos once you’re inside the stadium, cameras with interchangeable lenses that exceed 8 inches (20.32 cm), as well as selfie sticks and tripods, are prohibited. There are also restrictions on beverages: you’re allowed only one unopened plastic bottle of 1 liter or less. If you open a bottle outside the stadium, you will not be allowed to bring it inside.
Since Rate Field is completely cashless, you’ll need to use your smartphone or credit card for all food, drink, and merchandise purchases. Just to be safe, it might be a good idea to bring two credit cards (from two different issuers).
With the number of fans from Japan surging in response to Murakami’s stellar performance, the team is working tirelessly to develop “menu items that incorporate Japanese elements.” Mr. Boyer introduced a dish that resembles a tonkatsu version of an American hot dog, featuring teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, as well as “Lucky’s Sushi,” which features a mechanism that allows customers to easily push the sushi out from the bottom of the container. These items are served alongside Japanese beers such as Asahi and Sapporo.
At that point, Mr. Boyer also said, “Once the game starts, go down to the lower level and take a lap around the concourse. I think you’ll get a real sense of the excitement in this stadium.” Although I was curious about how the game was going, I decided to actually take a walk around the stadium as the second half got underway.
Just as the saying goes, “Surprisingly, not everyone is watching the game,” when I stepped out onto the concourse, I saw people engrossed in their meals, others browsing the merchandise store, and still others enjoying activities with their children in the kids’ zone—everyone was doing their own thing. It really made me realize that this is, indeed, a baseball theme park.
The scoreboard features seven windmills (electronic, not real ones)—an iconic symbol of Wrigley Field—and whenever a White Sox player hits a home run, the windmills spin while 20 fireworks are set off.
On this day (June 14, local time), it was the third game of a three-game interleague series (known in Japan as “exchange games”) between the American League’s White Sox and the National League’s Dodgers, and Had Murakami not been placed on the injured list, fans could have looked forward not only to a clash between the red-hot White Sox and the two-time defending World Series champions, the Dodgers, but also to a batting duel between Murakami and Ohtani.
The game featured Brian Hudson as the White Sox starter and Emmett Sheehan for the Dodgers. In the top of the first inning, the Dodgers’ No. 3 batter, Freddie Freeman, hit a home run to give his team the lead, but in the bottom of the sixth, the White Sox scored six runs in one inning, including home runs by Sam Antonacci, Colson Montgomery, and Chase Mydrus. The Dodgers then closed the gap to four runs in the top of the ninth inning and even had a runner on base with a chance to tie the game, but White Sox pitcher Seransoni Domínguez shut down the rally, securing a 6–4 victory.
Since this three-game series is the only interleague matchup between the two teams this season, the much-anticipated head-to-head showdown between Murakami and Ohtani has unfortunately been postponed until next year. However, with the White Sox playing so well, perhaps this matchup could still happen in the postseason…? As we head into the second half of the season, I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold.
Finally, here’s a look at the field from ground level, which we were given a special preview of before the game.
© Source travel watch