New green seats will be installed at U.S. Cellular Field over the next calendar year, changing the color of the 14-year-old ballpark's seating area from blue to forest green, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) and the Chicago White Sox jointly announced today.

The installation of new seats takes place in addition to Phase V renovations currently underway. Those changes include a multilevel interactive FUNdamentals skills deck in left field and a Scout Seating area located behind home plate.

New green seats first will be installed in the Club Level, Scout Seats and bleachers before Opening Day 2005. The remaining seats, beginning with the upper deck, will be replaced as weather allows during the 2005 season and 2005-2006 offseason. Full installation is scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2006. Aisle seats in each row will feature one of the club's historical logos.


Phase V Renovations
On August 26, 2004, the White Sox introduced a new “Scout" seating area for fans in 2005 – located directly behind home plate and featuring behind-the-scenes views, pregame and postgame access to a premium club offering Levy-catered dining, in-seat wait staff during the game and special parking next to the ballpark.

 

This new 314-seat area will be built behind home plate, replacing the current field access tunnel and some existing seating. Fans with tickets to this area will have access to a 5,000-square-foot private restaurant and lounge located inside the ballpark at Gate 3 and will enjoy behind-the-scenes views of the ballpark´s inner workings. These seats will feature personal wait service from Levy staff, as well as reserved parking just outside Gate 3.

Scout seating tickets are being offered in season packages, first to existing White Sox season ticket customers. Prices are $200 for seats in the first row of the special section and $170 for all other seats.

 

In addition to the Scout seating area, the White Sox and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) on May 26, 2004, announced plans for a 15,000-square-foot baseball and softball skills instruction area for kids, to be located above the left field concourse.

Previously located inside Gate 3, FUNdamentals will continue to open when the gates to the ballpark open (typically 90 minutes before game time) and will remain open during the game beginning in 2005. The new area will be accessible from all levels of the ballpark.

The ballpark, built in 1991, already has undergone a series of dramatic renovations over the past few seasons.