Guaranteed Rate Field Renovations

Ballpark Renovation Timeline

1996

1996

  • Bullpen bar added into right field.
1996

1998

1998

  • The Batter’s eye painted from blue to black.
1998

1999

1999

  • Bill Veeck-esque showerhead added to left field and a “Rain Room” added in right field for fans to cool off in the hot summertime.
1999

2001

2001

  • Bullpens relocated to allow fans to watch pitchers warming up & old bullpens filled with seats.
  • 2000 seats added between dugouts and foul poles.
  • Two-tiered terrace added outside Bullpen Bar.
  • Stadium Club introduced.
  • Capacity increased from 44, 321 to 45, 936.
2001

2002

2002

  • Multi-tiered Batter’s eye built in center field.
  • Main concourse given brick façade with stainless steel counter tops.
  • Club level concourse enclosed with heat/air conditioning.
  • Party deck added to center field above Batter’s eye.
  • “Roofless” backstop replaced the old backstop to allow foul balls to be able to be caught by those behind home plate.
2002

2003

2003

  • Scoreboard and video boards upgraded.
  • 300 foot long, 5 foot high LED “ribbon” board added along the façade of each upper deck.
  • Fan Deck built in center field concourse featuring food and beverage service.
  • Outfield steel framework, seating area concrete, and underside of canopy roof painted and stained grey.
  • Bronze statue of Charles Comiskey added to center field concourse.
  • Capacity increases from 45,936 to 47,098.
2003

2004

2004

  • 8 rows (6600 seats) removed from the top of the upper deck.
  • Flat roof replaces the old sloped canopy-type roof.
  • Upper Deck Concourse partially enclosed by translucent wall for weather.
  • Fan Deck upgraded with tiered seating and standing room.
  • Lower Terrace balcony added for additional party area and outdoor seating.
  • Outfield wall redone with photos of White Sox players with retired numbers.
  • Bronze statue of Minnie Minoso placed in center field concourse.
  • Capacity decreases from 47,098 to 40,615.
2004

2005

2005

  • 314-seat Scout seating area added behind home plate.
  • FUNdamentals Deck added above left field concourse.
  • Green seats replace the old blue seats on the Club level and some scattered around home plate in order to model those from the original Comiskey Park.
  • Bleachers in left-center field painted green.
  • Bronze statue of Carlton Fisk placed in center field concourse.
2005

2006

2006

  • Green seats replace blue seats in the entire upper deck and lower deck between the dugouts to model those after the original Comiskey Park.
  • Enclosed, ground level restaurant completed for lounge and dining area for Scout Seats.
  • New banners hung on the outfield lights: 2005 World Series, 1906 & 1917 World Series, all White Sox AL pennants and one for all division championships.
  • Flags that were once titles replaced with flags of all the White Sox logos in club history.
  • Bronze statues of Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio placed on center field concourse.
2006

2007

2007

  • Green seats replace the remaining old blue seats.
  • Two seats left the original blue from the 2005 World Series: where Paul Konerko’s Grand Slam and Scott Podsednik’s walk off home run landed.
  • Scoreboard is painted green.
  • Jim Bean Club (renamed Home Plate Club in 2014) added in former press box behind home plate which is home to premium seating/restaurant.
  • New press box on first base on Diamond Suites 400 level.
  • New custom t-shirt shop added.
  • Bronze Statue of Billy Pierce placed in center field concourse.
  • Thome Ticker counting down to Jim Thome’s Career Home Run in right field on the right advertising board (taken down after 2007 season).
  • White Sox Champions brick plaza begins in front of stadium at Gate 4.
2007

2008

2008

  • ISFA unveiled the first environmentally friendly permeable paving parking lot used by a MLB sports facility. This lot saves taxpayer money by reducing the amount of water entering Chicago’s storm water system.
  • Legacy Brick Program unveiled: each brick is inscribed with a message that is placed outside the main entrance.
  • Life sized bronze statue weighing over 25 tons celebrates 2005 White Sox World Series. Includes Paul Konerko, Joe Crede, Orlando Hernandez, Geoff Blum and Juan Uribe.
  • Flat screen TV sets added throughout outfield concourse and above beer concession stands throughout ballpark.
  • Bronze status of Harold Baines placed in right field concourse.
2008

2009

2009

  • Renovations to Gate 5:
    • Removal of top two levels and reducing it to one level with access to the park on the main concourse level;
    • Second foot bridge offers access to park on three levels;
    • Installation of new, weather protected enclosure of escalators and addition of elevators.
  • New scoreboard (23 x 68 ft) added in right field to display both lineups and serves as an “around the league” scoreboard.
  • Plaque honoring Jim Thome installed on center field deck for his 464-foot home run.
  • “The Catch” written on left-center field wall where DeWayne Wise made the catch in the 9th inning to preserve Mark Buehrle’s perfect game on July 23,2009.
2009

2010

2010

  • Outdoor beer garden named “TBD’s” installed at Gate 5.
  • Frank Thomas’ number and photo added to outfield wall when his number was retired.
2010

2011

2011

  • “ChiSox Bar and Grill” replaces TBD’s as a multi-level bar and restaurant.
  • Bronze Statue of Frank Thomas added to outfield concourse.
2011

2012

2012

  • Chicago Sports Depot added to Gate 5 next to ChiSox Bar and Grill that features White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and other Chicago area sports merchandise.
2012

2014

2014

  • Statue of Paul Konerko added to left field concourse, his number would be retired in 2015.
2014

2016

2016

  • Three new HD video boards installed; Auxiliary boards in left and right field and the main center video board.
2016
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