What fans should expect when returning to Guaranteed Rate Field
Adam Eaton is going to have to make an adjustment Thursday afternoon for the White Sox's home opener against the Royals.
“The name's changed, which I'll have to get used to,” Eaton said. “But I'm excited to get back on the South Side of Chicago.”
The feeling is mutual for Sox fans, who can come back to the ballpark this year. In early March, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the White Sox and Cubs can have crowds at 20% capacity to open the season.
As vaccinations increase, the door is open for allowing more fans as the year progresses.
Eaton last played for the White Sox in 2016 at U.S. Cellular Field. After that season, the stadium name changed to Guaranteed Rate Field.
Opening this year with a 1-3 showing against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., the Sox moved on to Seattle Monday night. Behind a solid debut from No. 5 starter Carlos Rodon, who allowed 2 hits and had 9 strikeouts over 5 innings, the White Sox beat the Mariners 6-0.
Jose Abreu hammered a grand slam into the second deck for his 200th career home run, Luis Robert and Zack Collins both went deep for the first time this season and the White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 10-4 on Tuesday night.
Sox starter Lucas Giolito (1-0) was dominant early, stumbled for one shaky inning and was out after 5 1/3 innings due to a rising pitch count. Giolito fanned five straight batters during one stretch and finished with 10 strikeouts
For fans attending Thursday's opener or planning on catching an early game at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox issued the following information and guidelines:
•For the opening series vs. Kansas City, parking lots and gates will open two hours before first pitch. For the remainder of the homestand, parking lots and gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
•Mobile tickets provide contactless entry and are the only method of entry to Guaranteed Rate Field. Print-at-home (PDF) tickets are no longer accepted.
•A mandatory mask policy will be enforced for all fans ages 2 and over. Everyone will be required to wear a Centers for Disease Control approved face mask covering the nose and mouth throughout the ballpark property, including the parking lots, unless they are actively eating or drinking in ticketed seats.
•Fans are required to stay within pre-assigned zones, which include designated concession, retail and restroom areas.
Fans will not be able to move between levels, suites or outside their zones. Tickets will include a color-coded and numbered zone associated with each seating pod.
•Seats will be sold and distributed in physically distanced pods, ranging from one to six seats in a group.
•Bags are not allowed. Exceptions will be made for medical bags, small clutch purses and diaper bags when infants are present.
You can find more informaton about White Sox safety protocol here.