For many years I have longed to get a sneak peek into the press box, clubhouse, and dugout at my favorite ballpark that I've attended countless games for the past three decades. Yet sadly year after year passed by without it happening.
Then in a day long overdue this July, my wife and I essentially got a private tour of Jacobs Field one Monday morning and my dream was finally a reality!
The tour lasted for an hour long and cost $20 per person. Tours begin at the team shop inside the ballpark which can be accessed off of Ontario Street on the first base side. Tours are given all season long. If you want to see the visitor's clubhouse or dugout, though, your best bet is to sign up for a tour when the Guardians aren't in town like I did.
There's obviously no guarantee of what you'll be able to see on a given tour and how many other people will tour with you outside your own group.
My wife and I went at 11 AM on a Monday morning in the middle of July which was perfect timing. Only one other individual was with us during the tour making it easy to ask questions and get great pictures.
With the renovations upcoming to the ballpark over the next few seasons, there's a good chance that a big increase in interest for tours starting will begin in 2024. Information about next tours for next year haven't been released yet, so stay tuned for when it becomes available (probably sometime next March).
Below I've included several photos from the tour I went on with some background information on what you're looking at. Enjoy!
This is the view from the press box that is above home plate looking out at the first base side.
The press box is massive, the biggest in all of major league baseball! The three levels of suites are all around the press box as you can see from looking out the windows.
This is a memorial for the late Hall of Famer, and legendary pitcher Bob Feller, who sat here often in the press box during Indians games in the 90's and early 2000's.
Outside of the press box is a hallway of pictures celebrating the many great voices of baseball including Vin Scully and Ernie Harwell which can be seen on the far left.
Although we didn't get to see any of the aforementioned three levels of suites, this is what the outside of one looks like.
This is the lounge for the Discount Drug Mart Club which is on the second level seating of first base side of the ballpark. With these tickets, you have access to free food and non-alcoholic beverage here in the club lounge along with access to big screen TVs displaying the current game. There's also a brand new outdoor bar in the club outfield sections.
Underneath the ballpark are tunnels that make their way to both of the clubhouses. We got to briefly look around the area.
Here's a look at when batting practice times were for specific game times.
This is inside the visitor's clubhouse. Obviously since there was no game that evening as it was empty.
What looks to be a cheap 90's arcade game actual contains thousands of video games for the visiting team to play during their time inside the clubhouse!
From the pictures above and this one it's clear that some wear and tear as occurred in the 30 years of use for the visitor's clubhouse. Much needed renovation is upcoming to expand and upgrade both the clubhouses before Opening Day 2025.
We got to walk on the field! Well actually we walked along the warning track. It is strictly forbidden for fans to step out on the grass! It was amazing to see the field up close and personal like this though!
It's a dream of mine to one day see a game from these amazing behind the plate suite seats!
Walked right past the on-deck batters box for the Guardians and got a great picture of it!
The Guardians dugout with steps leading into the team's clubhouse. Sadly access into the home clubhouse is very rare as very few tours include them, even when the team is out of town such as the day of this tour.
These elevated bench seats weren't an original part of the dugouts back in 1994 but added later to give players a better view of the game. Note: the Discount Drug Mart Club seats I mentioned earlier are in view directly ahead.
Hard to believe I was standing in the same dugout as so many great Cleveland players have in the past: Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Sandy Alomar, Grady Sizemore, and Jose Ramirez!
This seat was made just for Terry Francona but over his 11-year tenure he rarely actually sat in it. But I did just that during this tour!
A picture of an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life! Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!
Our tour gave us inside information about a "secret" seating area inside the ballpark. Along the right field line where the visitor's bullpen used to be (before the Corner bar renovation of 2015) is an on the field level seating area that any fan can access. Where is it? And how can you view a game from these seats? Keep scrolling down to find out! (Note: the next several photos are from the game I attended a few days later)
The field view bullpen section can be accessed by a set of stairs just before you reach the right field foul pole. If you get into the ballpark right when the gates open, head straight to this location to gain access there with no restrictions. However, when the game starts reservations are needed.
For every inning, a group of about 15 are given access to this exclusive field level viewing area. To make reservations, you'll need to see an usher (named Stew) to get a wristband for a specific inning. Reservations are first come, first serve. For the first inning you can get a wrist band without waiting in line. Just get to the ballpark as the gates open, then make reservations with Stew right away.
If you get to the ballpark early, there's a chance you'll be able to step out on the warning track and get a picture or two! Just ask the usher down in the seating area and he'll make it happen!
He'll even take a photo of your group if you ask him to!
This is where you can sit to watch the inning unfold from your unique perspective on field level or get up close and stand in front of the fence for a better view.
Catching a homerun ball is possible in this viewing area. Look how close you are to the right field foul pole!
I hope you enjoyed these photos providing you with an inside look at Jacobs Field that perhaps you've never seen before. I strongly recommend going on a tour of the ballpark if you have the opportunity to do so next season or in the years to come! It's quite an experience for any Cleveland baseball fan to behold! I can't wait to head back to the Jake in 2024!
Sources:
All photos are my own taken on the tour (Monday, July 17th) and at the game (Friday, July 21st)