Cubs adding 4 more premier seating areas

The Cubs are adding four more "premier" - and no doubt pricey - areas to Wrigley Field.

The first of these, the American Airlines 1914 Club, will open for the 2018 season. This club will be an underground area for 600 season-ticket holders behind home plate. Excavation for this area will begin as soon as the 2016 season ends, either in October or early November, depending on how far the Cubs advance in the postseason.

The underground club, which will not offer a direct view of the field, will feature a dedicated entrance under the Wrigley Field marquee, more comfortable seating and a climate-controlled club, with bars and food offerings. There also will be members-only restrooms.

Season-ticket holders who are currently located in the area behind home plate will have first priority to the new club seating, or they may choose to relocate their seats.

"They've said, 'For what we're paying for this, we want the amenities that go along with similar experiences at other ballparks,'" Colin Faulkner, the Cubs' senior vice president of sales and marketing, told cubs.com. "It's the same thing with clubs at the United Center or other places. We don't have that today."

There is a $500 deposit to be on the American Airlines 1914 Club waiting list.

In 2019 and 2020, the Cubs will add a first-base club, a third-base club and an upper-level club.

The one impact on baseball the areas will have is that the dugouts will be pushed further away from home plate.

"I really like where I stand right there," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "If I have to make the adjustment, man, I'll do it. No, it wouldn't bother me. Different dugouts provide different angles. I just need to be as far down as I can. I just need to be as close to home plate as I can."

For more information, go to cubspremier.com.