Explore Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have a new manager in Will Venable and are celebrating the 125th anniversary of their franchise and the 20th anniversary of their latest World Series title from 2005. These factors will be part of the experience at Rate Field, on Chicago’s South Side.
Chicago White Sox
Established: 1900
Division Name: American League Central
Ballpark: Rate Field (opened 1991)
Jerry Reinsdorf has served as White Sox chairman for the past 44 seasons, making him only the seventh individual in Major League Baseball history to surpass the 40-year milestone as a club owner. He headed the limited partnership purchasing the White Sox in January 1981.
The city of Chicago has a population of 2.664 million people and has been around for 187 years. It has 77 neighborhoods.
Rate Field
Ballpark location (via Google Maps)
White Sox schedule
White Sox roster
333 W. 35th Street
Chicago, Ill. 60616
Capacity: 40,615
Dimensions: Left field, 330 feet; left-center, 375 feet; center field, 400 feet; right-center, 375 feet; right field, 330 feet
Park factors (2024)
100 = league average
Runs: 98 | Homers: 93 | Hits: 99
The stadium is located just off I-94, with near-by exits at 31st street, 35th street and Pershing Road. Taking Lake Shore Drive from the city works as well. There’s also a 35th St.-Sox station on the Chicago Transit Authority Red Line, leaving you two blocks from baseball. If you decide to drive, there are plenty of parking lots attached to the ballpark or located just a short walk away.
There’s an entrance level, Section 100, Section 200, Section 300, Section 400 and Section 500 in terms of areas at the Rate. Section 100 features the Scout Seat sections, with in-game, in-seat food and beverage service. The 100 level also was once home to the K Zone and the Shark Tank down the left-field line, seating areas meant to take advantage of whenever Chris Sale or Jeff Samardzija started during the 2015 season.
The Rate Club is in the 200 level, along with additional suite seating. But the RC, which was the press box years ago and is directly up from home plate, is one of the best deals in the ballpark. For one flat rate, the ticket provides all you can eat and drink with a great view of the on-field action. More suites are located on the 400 level, where the press box now resides straight up from the first-base coaching box.
There’s a ChiSox Bar and Grill directly across from the ballpark, serving food and drink before, during and for a time after the game. The massive Chicago Sports Depot is located next to the Grill with a plethora of jerseys, shirts and White Sox souvenirs available for purchase.
Special areas range from the Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge to the Xfinity Kids Zone for the younger crowd, which is an enjoyable interactive experience accessible from the 100, 300 and 500 levels of the ballpark. You will also find two blue seats in the outfield in honor of where Paul Konerko hit his grand slam in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series sweep of Houston and where Scott Podsednik followed with a walk-off blast off Houston closer Brad Lidge. Podsednik did not homer during the regular season during that unforgettable ’05 campaign.
Let’s not forget the Plumbers911.com shower located near section 161. It’s also known as the Old Comiskey shower, giving fans a chance to cool off on those steamy summer days or nights in Chicago.
And don’t pass on the chance to check out the outfield statues on the concourse. They include White Sox legends Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox together, Konerko, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, Minnie Miñoso, Billy Pierce, Frank Thomas and Charles Comiskey.
Concessions
The Campfire Milkshake was a new and extremely popular item on the White Sox menu in 2024. Think of a decadent delivery of s’mores in a tall milkshake glass.
Regular attendees at the Rate consider the White Sox to have the best ballpark food in the game. You can get standard ballpark fare, but also Churros, Elotes and Walking Nachos. There’s a deli in the right-field corner featuring huge sandwiches including turkey, pastrami and caprese.
Mascots
The ballpark bringing you Ribbie and Roobarb and the ever-famous Andy the Clown added a new mascot named Southpaw in June 2004. The furry green creature, who also does private appearances, is a favorite of kids and can be found around the Rate. Whether rain, cold or intense heat, Southpaw is there to entertain.
Where to stay
While the Rate is in the Armour Square area, Chicago’s downtown region is just a 15-to-20-minute ride on the rare, good-traffic moments. A plethora of hotels can be found on or near Michigan Ave, as well as in the Streeterville, River North and Gold Coast neighborhoods.
Hotels near O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport leave you a moderate train ride or a slightly more expensive Uber, Lyft or Cab ride to get to the ballpark. Even the surrounding suburban areas in pretty much all directions give lodging options with not a huge amount of time to get back and forth from baseball action.
Local attractions
It’s Chicago, so there’s pretty much something to see everywhere you go. The Magnificent Mile has everything from shopping to restaurants to the Water Tower area to 875 N. Michigan, known to many as the Hancock Center. Of course, Lake Michigan is just a short trip away from this area with North Street and Ohio St. featuring two of the top beaches. Navy Pier has a little bit of everything, including a gigantic Ferris Wheel providing a great view of the city from the top.
If you like theater, Chicago has you covered with a dedicated theater district not to mention 200+ theaters across the city. Second City is the famous and always hilarious improv theater located on Wells St. in Old Town, just a block down the street from Zanies Comedy Club, where standup comedy is the rule.
Soldier Field is the current home to the Chicago Bears and surrounded by Chicago’s Museum Campus. The area features the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. The Art Institute is close by on Michigan Ave, while the Museum of Science and Industry is in the Hyde Park area, a little over five miles from the ballpark.
And if gambling is your thing, there’s a Bally’s Casino in the heart of downtown with the new Wind Creek Casino located 23 miles away in the South Suburban area. Rivers Casino is located just minutes from O’Hare.
Food and drink
Very few cities in the country can match Chicago for food options, with everything from very casual to five-star dining. It’s almost unfair to pick out just a few restaurants from the plethora of greatness, but you can’t go wrong with the food, service or ambiance at Harry Caray’s on Kinzie with locations also at Navy Pier and Water Tower. The restaurant was originally owned by the Hall of Fame broadcaster, and his widow, Dutchie, is still involved. There are steakhouses across the city, including Maple and Ash and Bavettes, while top Italian restaurants include Il Culaccino, Rosebud, and Italian Village.