The Ivy may have wilted last October as the Chicago Cubs once again put their World Series celebrations on ice. But the Chicago Blackhawks gave fans at Wrigley Field something a little different to cheer about to kick off 2009 as the annual outdoor Winter Classic NHL Hockey game brought its festivities to Chi-town.

WaiverSharks Ryan Roach was one of the many chilly diehard hockey fanatics who attended the latest Winter Classic Hockey game held on New Years Day and passed along these pics:

2009 Wrigley Field Outdoor Hockey Game Chicago

2009 Wrigley Field Winter Classic Hockey Chicago

Red Wings beat Blackhawks at Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Hockey

PERSONALLY - I’ve been to many Major League baseball games during my 30 years of serious fandom - and to date have only “caught” TWO balls, both during batting practice at good old Tiger Stadium.

And actually – the term “caught” should be used loosely - since one cushioned cork center Holy Grail was actually tossed up to me by former Detroit Tigers starter Jack Morris back in 1982.

Thanks for the memento Mr. Morris – Your simple gesture helped make a young boys summer that year even more magical!

Seating capacity: 9334

Year opened: 1983

Dimensions: Left field foul pole: 328 feet - Left-center: 364 feet

Center field: 433 feet

Right-center: 364 feet - Right field foul pole: 328

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas this summer - you may want to take a break one day from the hustle of The Strip and head on down to a relaxing game of Minor League Baseball at nearby Cashman Field.

A visit to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple AAA affiliate ballpark may be a welcome departure from the gambling capital of the world’s high octane hustle!

And - It’s also relatively cheap!

The cab ride from our “Flamingo” hotel (Which is located in the heart of The Strip) was around $20 bucks, and we’d purchased tickets online for $13 bucks each - so comparatively - when you could head over to see the “brilliance” of Carrot Top at the Luxor - and pay a minimum of $49.95 a seat – to watch a some freak pull crap out of trunks while making bad puns - it’s not a bad deal!

Yes - a sweet deal in Las Vegas – and no need for a 3 hour time share presentation!

We had amazing seats right behind home plate for this price – and we were even able to catch a couple players who have already made it to the bigs since our return, including former Red Sox hard-nosed hero and latest NY Mets signing - Trot Nixon, recently called up Dodgers prospect - Andy LaRoche, and Dodgers rotation replacement - Eric Stults.
In fact – and this is rare that we’d ever suggest this – you may want to consider purchasing tickets that are a little further back from the field, shaded from the blazing Sin City sun. You may even be lucky enough to land a spot that is near the overhead “misters” that are placed on the edges of the parks overhang.

The Sunday game rays were beating down on us pretty good, and this was in early June – so we can just imagine the sweltering heat one could possibly endure during an August extra-inning daytime affair.

My toothpaste white gams would singe and melt into the seat like Raiders of the Lost Ark villain extraordinaire - Nazi interrogator Major Toht!

Be sure to pile on the sunscreen when heading to the sunnier sides of ballparks this summer kids!