Wrigley night games rise from 18 to 22
CHICAGO -- The Cubs will be allowed to increase their night games at Wrigley Field from 18 to 30 per season by 2006 under an ordinance approved Wednesday by the Chicago City Council.
The limit will increase to 22 this year, 26 in 2005 and 30 in 2006 under the ordinance, approved by a 42-0 vote.
The Cubs announced Monday that the added night games for this year will be: June 8 vs. St. Louis, Aug. 11 vs. San Diego, Sept. 8 vs. Montreal and Sept. 28 vs. Cincinnati. Those games, originally scheduled to start at 1:20 p.m. CT, will start at 7:05 p.m. CT.
The plan also includes provisions requiring the Cubs to spend more money to address congestion, litter and other game-related problems in the residential neighborhood that surround the ballpark, which opened in 1914.
"This is a win situation for all," Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said. "It shows you when you work together things can be accomplished."
Daley had opposed an earlier version of the plan but gave his endorsement to the version approved Wednesday.
The Cubs are the last major league team to play the majority of their 81 home games in the afternoon. Lights weren't added to Wrigley Field until 1988.
The Cubs had been pushing for more night games, saying they would generate more revenue. But many residents in the apartment buildings and homes directly across the street from the ballpark and nearby fought it, saying more night games would mean more traffic, congestion, rowdy behavior and littering.
The City Council was expected to vote later on a plan to give landmark status to Wrigley Field. The Committee on Historical Landmarks and Preservation recommended a plan that would make the ballpark a landmark but still allow for some changes.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
