Death Seat

During a trip to Chicago to attend a Cubs game, I had the opportunity to take a tour of Wrigley field. When I think of Wrigley field some of the first things that pop into my head are obviously the ivy covered walls, Harry Caray, bleacher bums, and Steve Bartman....OOPS!

But during the tour, I was enlightened to a particular culture that takes place in the bleacher seats at Wrigley field - The Death Seat. The bleacher seats at Wrigley are general admission and accommodate approximately 5000 fans. I believe all 5000 were wrapped around the outside of the stadium waiting in line to have their pick of seats in the outfield bleachers. The fans become familiar with each other throughout the long baseball season, and begin to create groups or what they call "families". A family usually sits together in the same area at every game and being general admission seating, there's only one reserved seat. The Death Seat is reserved for the oldest member of the bleacher bums. It's basically straight away center field, on the top row, closest to the aisle for easy access to the concessions and more importantly, the bathroom. The seat is reserved for this old fan for the rest of his/her life. When this fan passes on, the next eldest person is allowed to sit in the death seat until that person dies.

Above is a picture of the location of the Death Seat (the second most famous seat at Wrigley next to the Bartman seat). Below is a picture of The Death Seat, number 1. Pretty cool tradition.