Chicago Machine

Did you know Chicago has a professional lacrosse team? Neither did I, until I was invited to the Chicago Machine’s season home opener last Sunday.

My friend Phil Rosenberg and I waited at Duffy’s for the party bus. Although it never arrived, the representative from the team arranged for taxis to get us to Toyota Park. We piled into the cab with two women, and as we began our introductions one of the women and I pointed at each other and said “you’re 312 Dining Diva!” and “you’re The Local Tourist.” Audarshia Townsend and I have been online “friends” for awhile and direct traffic to each others’ sites, so it was a pleasant surprise to finally meet each other in the real world. (Later Audarshia found out the bus company that never showed was “AMAN”, so we joked it’s just like a man to leave you behind…ba dum bum.)

Getting to Toyota Park was surprisingly quick, considering its location on the southwest side of town. Still, by the time we’d arrived the game had already started so we quickly made our way around the stadium and headed down to the field.

Like many there, it was my first lacrosse game, and I was quickly caught up in its fast-paced action. As we watched from the field-side Bud Light Filling Station, the game reminded us of a blend of soccer, hockey, and basketball.

After the game, the Chicago Machine again arranged for taxis to get us back to Duffy’s. While we missed out of the fun of the party bus, I knew it wasn’t their fault and they bent over backwards to get us there and back. They’re offering it again on June 1. It’s only $25 for transportation to and from the park, Bud Light on the bus, and food and beer in the field-side “filling station”.

The Bud Light Party Bus leaves from Duffy’s Tavern & Grille, 420 ½ West Diversey, Chicago, at 2:30 pm. Game time is 3:30 pm. To pre-purchase seats on the bus, email Tom Flynn at tom_flynn@bar1events.com, or call the Chicago Machine at (312) 255-1522.