In pandemic year, rooftops at Wrigley give rare opportunity

Bottom of the first, two out. Willson Contreras lines an RBI single against Corbin Burnes to give the Chicago Cubs an early lead over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

The crowd cheers, and it’s not one of those piped-in roars. Fans just beyond the ivy at Wrigley Field, up on the rooftops, are letting loose.

Though the Cubs went on to lose 8-3, just seeing a game in person from high and far was a welcome diversion for Dave Barounis. While major league ballparks are off limits to the general public, Wrigley Field is one of the few spots where they can look in on the action.

“It feels really like you’re getting back to normal to be able to go watch a baseball game,” Barounis said.

Little about this pandemic delayed season is routine, with the start pushed back four months because of the coronavirus, the schedule slashed from 162 games to 60 and teams playing without spectators in the stands. But for fans looking to see MLB live, there are few options besides the rooftops along Waveland and Sheffield avenues. Boston has the Bleacher Bar tucked under the center field seats at Fenway Park. San Francisco has the promenade alongside McCovey Cove. Another possibility might have been the hotel at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, but with the Blue Jays barred by the Canadian government from playing at home, that’s out.

In Chicago, tickets to the 16 rooftops cost about $300 to $440 compared to the usual $150. They can seat about 200 to 250, but a 20% capacity limit has them selling 40 to 50 per game.