they start selling the tickets at 9 AM, but you have to be in line waaaaaaay before that, especially for a cubs game (maybe even 2 hours prior). this is usually a great way to get last minute tickets, but against good teams, the only tickets you will get will be SRO.

if you don’t mind standing for a few innings and then grabbing a few empty seats later in the game, this is a great way! like you said, you just want to get in, so this sounds like a great way to go to a game.

Also, like I said earlier, you’ll want to get there way ahead of time in the morning if you want any chance of gettting the tickets. And don’t forget, you line up at a gate in the outfield (left center I think) and they start to let you in about 15 min. before first pitch (hence the name).

Good luck!

I have gotten these first pitch tickets a time or two in the past couple years. I can’t say whether or not they have changed it, but I’ll explain how it was for me.

We wanted to go to the Friday night game of a Cards/Cubs series by using the first pitch thing. We got to the stadium at about 5:30 and there were perhaps 20 people in line. They had us lined up across the street from the ticket window (I suppose if we’re off stadium property we’re technically not their problem). As 9AM approached we were allowed to migrate the line over to the window. At that point (which, again, it may have changed) they sold 125 VOUCHERS for $11/each. Each voucher was good for two random tickets and stated that we should be at a certain gate (sorry, I can’t remember which one, I’m sure the website tells, and if not, the voucher will) at approximately 15 minutes before game time. When we got up to the gate, we handed them our vouchers, they let us through and handed us envelopes. Once inside we opened the envelopes to find 2 pretty decent seats on the 2nd level on the first base side and 4 SROs.

I believe this was in 2006, so obviously there was more enthusiasm for the team than there currently is. Still, I’m sure by now even those dirty Cub fans have gotten wind of this program and would use it as well. I wouldn’t get there much past 6:30 if it we me, maybe even 6. Make sure you bring a lawn chair or a cushion or something. And some music or a book or some playing cards or SOMETHING to entertain yourself.

Oh! You can only buy one voucher per person. So, if you want to take 3 people with you, you’ll have to convince someone else to get out there in the morning with you.

Alright, I’m extraordinarily tired from a late night and heading out to the stadium for a great win this afternoon, so this feels confusing and disjointed…but I hope it’s been some help anyway, feel free to ask more specific questions about whatever details I forgot and I’m sure others here have used this service too.

I think now they sell 225 vouchers – now 550 tickets are actually available for purchase for the price of $5.50 each. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID to the ticket window as well as to the gate at game time.

I have gotten SRO tickets before, but I have also gotten good seats – even to opening day. It’s all luck of the draw. Just remember that you can usually scout open seats from the upper deck and relocate to less populated areas…

I echo the others who say to get there early, especially for Cubs games. Nerd/bum as I am, I have slept on the sidewalk twice for first pitch/opening day seats so from experience I would also advise bringing something/one to amuse yourself, bringing some snacks, bringing a seat of some variety, and socializing with your neighbors in line. My friends and I see some of the same people each time; we enjoy catching up, talking baseball, and sharing cookies with them when we see them.

Also, the people at the Westin are very accommodating when you need to slip in and use the water closet – as long as you behave, there’s no need to use the creepy portajohn under 40.