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January 29, 2025 Richard Jefferson MLB 0

Melissa Sage-Bollenbach is a die-hard White Sox fan and Mom of two incredible kids! She also has a Cubby hubby, but it’s OK because he likes the Sox.

She went to the first Field of Dreams game, and it was the best baseball experience she’s ever had! In the middle of a bitter cold Illinois winter, the vibe felt warm and sunny inside SoxFest Live 2025. Despite a record-breaking 121-loss season, the South Side faithful showed up to kick off a new year of White Sox baseball.

My lovely colleague Kristian Airdo did an excellent job with the rundown of all the breaking news that occurred on Friday at the venue. From a Mark Buehrle statue to the unveiling of the fresh new season promos, there were plenty of things to be excited about. I personally can’t wait to see the 2005 World Series documentary this summer.

I was lucky enough to attend the event with my husband, Shaun, and our son, Sage. For those curious about the fan experience, let me share a bit about the event format. First, let’s take a look at the event passes. There were two ticketing options: a $56 general admission pass or a $225 MVP experience pass.

Additionally, there was an option to purchase an After Party add-on for $100 with either pass. According to the White Sox website, the General Admission pass included: –

Access to the SoxFest Live Level 1 theater and main stage floor – A mix of seating and standing options for event programming – White Sox displays and interactive player experiences – Exciting photo opportunities with easy access to SoxFest Live setups – An immersive and energetic atmosphere at the historic theater venue On the other hand, the MVP experience included: – Early entry to SoxFest Live at Ramova – Access to the White Sox Black Carpet, welcoming VIPs, players, and other special guests – A premium Level 2 lounge area with a better view of the main stage and unobstructed program viewing – Exclusive photo opportunities for MVP pass holders – A private meet-and-greet session with White Sox VIP attendees – Complimentary light appetizers – Four lower-level tickets to a selected 2025 White Sox home game (certain restrictions apply) My family opted for the MVP experience for both

SoxFest pass, poster, 2025 promotional baseball cards. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

The biggest perk of the MVP experience was the exclusive meet-and-greet sessions we enjoyed each night. On Friday, we got to meet Harold Baines, Mark Buehrle, and Colson Montgomery. As for Saturday, I honestly can’t recall who the featured players were. We did encounter a few bumps along the way, but I’ll share more about that later. Sadly, if you held a General Admission pass and wanted to meet the marquee players, you were out of luck.

Mark Buehrle is always so generous and kind with fans. The statue is overdue! Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

Aside from that, I have to say that the GA pass would have been sufficient on its own. We did get some complimentary food, like sliders, chicken kabobs, meatballs, cookies, mushrooms, and shrimp, which was enough for Shaun and Sage. However, as a vegetarian, I only had a cookie and a few mushrooms, which was a bit disappointing.  With the GA pass, you could attend two different meet-and-greet sessions, each featuring two or three players. The lines were short and moved quickly. Even as MVP pass holders, we opted to check out some of the GA options instead.

Meeting the prospects was the best part of the event. Hagen Smith, Noah Schultz, and George Wolkow were so sweet and very excited to get the year started. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

The After Party add-on was so much fun and definitely worth the cost. From 9 to 10 p.m., the upper level of the theater became a lively, bar-like environment. With a DJ spinning tracks and complimentary appetizers being passed around, we interacted with the players as if we were old friends. Prospects, current stars, broadcaster John Schriffen, manager Will Venable, and even World Series champions Freddy García and José Contreras were all very approachable, happily taking photos, signing autographs, and truly engaging with fans. The atmosphere was energetic and provided a wonderful chance to connect with everyone in a more casual setting.

World Series Champions Freddy García and José Contreras, under bonus After Party mood lighting. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

The new coach took about 15 minutes to talk with my family. He was friendly and sincere, and I was especially impressed by how he interacted with Sage. He inquired about school, work, and Sage’s interests, engaging him with a natural charm that makes you want to cheer for him and the entire team. I’m definitely on board!

Manager Will Venable has at least two new fans. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

Now, let me explain the format. The MVP pass was promoted as giving early access to the Black Carpet, with a promise of a special view of the players and staff arriving 30 minutes ahead of the event. However, we were directed to a cold, unheated entrance outside the theater instead. This small waiting area was hardly comfortable, and we spent almost half an hour there before the program started.

It was VERY, VERY cold. They should consider moving this part of the program to another location within the theater. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

The cramped space meant that many attendees had a hard time seeing anything, while my family managed to find a corner spot. The difference between what I anticipated and the reality of waiting in a cold, crowded area was somewhat disheartening. This portion could have easily been held near the stage and theater area, where fans would have had more space to move around and could avoid freezing their toes!

 

Hall-of-Famer Harold Baines walks the Black Carpet. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

Nonetheless, once the program kicked off, the experience improved quite a bit. The event had a lively atmosphere, and the main stage offered a clear view of everything happening. A band performed for the first hour on both nights, featuring The DIFF (with Len Kasper) on Friday and the Gina Glocksen Band on Saturday. DJ music also filled the venue throughout the evening.

Len Kasper (right) has a wild side! Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

I really enjoyed the music and the vibe they created, but the sound level was quite intense. It was nearly impossible to have a conversation without shouting, even with someone right next to you. Trying to chat with other fans or the players was just as ineffective. Shaun’s Apple Watch buzzed constantly with noise alerts, clearly indicating the high volume. The ringing in my ears lingered long after we left the venue.

A fun highlight of the event was comedian Kevin Bozeman, who performed both nights. He invited fans up on stage to interact with the players. Sage and I were fortunate enough to be chosen as participants, and we also received some cool swag!

Twelve fans participated in Comedy Curveballs with Kevin Bozeman — and walked away with some free merch. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

One of the fan favorites from the old SoxFest days was the seminars. This year’s SoxFest offered attendees a choice among three different sessions over two nights: a celebration of the 2005 World Series Champions (Friday only), a “State of the Sox” discussion, and a look at “Sox on Deck” (Saturday only). While the “State of the Sox” on Friday included both Chris Getz and Will Venable, Getz was notably absent from Saturday’s session without explanation, leading to a more lively atmosphere. A brief visit from Jerry Reinsdorf in the balcony sparked chants of “Sell the team,” which ushers quickly tried to quiet.

 

In the past, SoxFest allowed fans to directly ask team personnel questions during seminars, often resulting in spirited and sometimes heated discussions. This direct interaction made fans feel valued. However, the new format only permitted pre-submitted questions for the “State of the Sox”—a process I couldn’t even find—which allowed Kasper and Schriffen to pose easy questions to the front office.

John Schriffen, Paul Janish, Walker McKinven, Will Venable, Josh Barfield, Steve Stone, and Gene Watson feel the heat. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

That changed on Saturday when Schriffen veered from the planned agenda and tried to engage the audience directly, which backfired quickly. One attendee began an unintelligible rant, but without a microphone, no one else could hear him. To make matters worse, John failed to summarize the situation, leaving the audience confused and restless, with frustration mounting.

Thankfully, Papa Steve Stone stepped in to give a talk on patience. Still, this incident underscored a significant flaw in the event’s design. Although it aimed to create intimacy, the layout—with panelists on a raised stage and the audience in a pit without a proper way to voice their thoughts—formed a frustrating barrier to real interaction. This disconnect turned out to be a major miss. Communication also needs enhancement. Fans have recognized this ongoing issue for years, and the latest event brought it to light.

For example, Andrew Vaughn’s absence was only discovered after asking a security guard. This situation could have easily been avoided with timely communication. A simple email or announcement explaining his absence due to the weather would have sufficed. A more effective communication system, like a easily accessible QR code providing real-time updates on participant attendance, locations, and schedules, could greatly improve the event experience. Furthermore, the difference in communication and organization between Friday and Saturday was striking. Friday’s clear signage helped attendees navigate and plan their evening, but Saturday was chaotic. With several changes to player appearances, the existing signs became outdated. Instead of updating them or providing alternative directions, no signage was available, resulting in fans wandering around trying to figure out who would be where. While unexpected changes are understandable, the lack of a backup plan was concerning.

This could have been easily managed with simple solutions, like using whiteboards for updates or implementing a dynamic QR code system. In my view, Friday night provided much more value for fans. The World Series panel, a meet-and-greet with Mark Buehrle, free beer, statue unveiling, promotional card packs, and clear signage contributed to a far more engaging and enjoyable experience. Given the success of this year’s After Party, I hope the team considers a similar format next year. We would likely attend just one day, and whether we upgrade to an MVP pass would depend on the anticipated player lineup.

Overall, it was fantastic to see SoxFest make a comeback, allowing fans to connect with players—both past and present. For those who enjoy getting autographs and taking photos with players, this experience made it incredibly easy, and the Sox really hit a home run with this aspect of the event!

We got a picture and/or autograph from every player we wanted. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

I truly hope they take fan feedback into account to improve future events. If you were at the event, I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below. See you all next year! Before I wrap up completely, I want to give a huge shoutout to my husband and photographer, Shaun. Even though he roots for the Cubs, he was such a good sport this weekend and continues to support my love for all things White Sox. Love you!

The Bollenbachs are rooting for you, Colson Montgomery! Melissa Sage-Bollenbach/South Side Sox

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