New Amenities, Extra Security To Greet Fans At Cubs Home Opener

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Cubs are getting ready for their home opener, and coming off a 97-win season and a trip to the National League Championship Series, hope is sky high this will be the year.

Hall of Fame Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg said this team might be the one to end the longest streak of futility in sports.

"I think the hopes are even higher, because this young team has a year under their belt, and they've added some nice pieces with [outfielder Jason Heyward and starting pitcher John Lackey], and it's a team that's really built to go a long way," he said.

The Cubs are off to a strong start at 5-1 through their first six games, but the season-ending injury of slugger Kyle Schwarber was a big blow.

"He'll be missed; A big left-handed bat like that, and really a really great guy on the team, but some other guys will have an opportunity to pick it up and play," Sandberg said.

A lot of new amenities and other upgrades are in store at Wrigley Field, included extra security. For the first time ever, Wrigley Field is using metal detectors to screen fans as they enter the stadium.

The game against the Reds starts at 7:05 p.m., and gates will open at 4:30 p.m. so everyone can get through security. Typically, gates open two hours before the game, but they will open an extra half hour early on Monday to help get everyone to their seats on time. All bags also will be inspected.

"We're asking our fans to change their behavior. We need them to get here as early as possible, so that we can try to get them in as quickly and as efficiently as possible," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said. "Here's the challenge. We're talking about upwards of 40,000 people coming to the ballpark tonight, so it is going to be delays. We want to be open and transparent about it. It's going to take some time to get in the ballpark, so prepare."

Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said, in time, fans will get used to having to pass through metal detectors when entering Wrigley. Terrorist attacks in Europe have provided even more reason for the added security.

"It's unfortunate. We all wish there was a world that you didn't need metal detectors; and we all fly, and we all have to take our shoes off, and do all those things that we wish we didn't have to. I guess it's a sign of the times," he said.

Kenney said he expects fans to spill over onto Addison Street while they line up to get inside Wrigley, and will essentially close Addison for a while before the game, because there's not much space between the metal detectors and the curb.

Cubs senior vice president of marketing Colin Faulkner said, in addition to the extra security, there are lots of new amenities in store for the Cubs and their fans.

"We've done a lot of work on the outside to really beautify the ballpark," he said. "Inside, there's a new clubhouse. In the bleacher concourse, there's some great new history in display boxes. So there's actually a lot new to see for fans when they get here."

A handful of new sausage creations from Hot Doug's highlight the new items at Wrigley concession stands. The popular hot dog joint debuted at the Friendly Confines last year.

The new Budweiser Bleacher Bar under the bleachers includes five new display cases showcasing museum quality memorabilia, and a wall of logos and photographs representing Cubs players from teams gone by.

"My personal favorite is the Shawon-O-Meter from Shawon Dunston. This is actually one of the Shawn-O-Meters. The original is in the Smithsonian," senior director of marketing Alison Miller said.

The team also is getting a huge new clubhouse. The 30,000-square foot facility is nearly three times larger than the old one; and includes a larger locker room, multiple training areas, a strength and conditioning room, a media center, offices, and a lounge. Players got their first look at their new digs Sunday night, and didn't leave disappointed.

"Imagine the kids … waking up on Christmas Day, kind of foggy, and then seeing the gifts unwrapped downstairs, and it was just an amazing feeling," Green said.

Faulkner said the Cubs expect to sell 3 million tickets this season, and 14 games already have sold out or have extremely limited availability.

Workers were polishing at ballpark even as fans congregated around the Friendly Confines.

"Just the excitement and the buzz down here is unbelievable," said Ryan Lewis.

Elizabeth and David Leach of Panama City, Fla. planned their wedding around the game. They got married in Florida Monday morning and then headed to Chicago for the game.

"This year gonna break the curse of the goat and they are gonna win this year," David Leach said.

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• Bernie Tafoya
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