Chicago Cubs News: First Impressions of the Potential New Bleacher Patio Section

While Chicago Cubs fans are constantly hoping that the team will improve its roster to finally bring home a World Series, one thing they typically hope the team won't change is the state of Wrigley Field.

Turns out, that may be the only thing getting a major improvement this offseason.

According to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, the Cubs are planning on opening up a new section in right field to replace what was the far end of the bleachers.

Between sitting and standing room, the new area will be able to hold 150 people. The team will have boast packages that will offer all-inclusive food and drink, just like the some of the rooftops at other stadiums offer.

By design, the new area looks a lot like what the Boston Red Sox, who play in Fenway Park, have in their left field. After everything the Cubs have done this season, is anyone surprised that they are replicating yet another thing of the previously cursed franchise?

On to the design.

It is very open and social in the seating. One difference between the two is that it appears the team will leave the height for which a home run will be counted as the same. At Fenway, you have to knock that ball over the green monster.

Considering the Cubs' power—or lack of—on next year's roster, both fans and players better hope that the home run distance will stay the same.

The nets are still at the same height as they are now, but perhaps that was a mistake by the artists.

Supposedly, the section is supposed to replicate that of the infamous rooftops surrounding Wrigley Field. For anyone who has sat in one, they know firsthand that the Cubs are going to have a hard time recreating that type of environment. 

It is a nice idea, though.

The most important part of this whole thing is the new LED screen. This is where a lot of fans are either going to be rejoicing or grinding their teeth in anger that the club is changing a historic landmark.

According to Muskat:

"

The Budweiser Patio will include a 75-foot LED sign installed above the right-field wall with the capability to display game information, such as pitch count, photos of players and statistics. It will not have video replay because of the size.

"

From the sound of it, the upgrade isn't really anything more than a digitalized form of the current manual scoreboard—which will remain to be the primary option for finding all of your favorite information.

It will remain to be seen how this will come together, but for the time being it doesn't seem like a terrible option. The team has already added a digital screen under the current scoreboard, and there are similar digital screens in the upper deck of each side of the infield.

The Cubs cannot destroy this current landmark, but their additions here are not outrageous. The stadium needs to be modernized in some areas because it will allow the team to actually keep the building intact for much longer.

There will always be changes, but as long the Cubbies continue to play at the friendly confines, there is no reason to fret just yet.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.