Cubs Sued By Fan Over Wrigley Field's Wheelchair Seating

CHICAGO, IL — A 20-year-old Chicago Cubs fan with muscular dystophy is suing the team, claiming recent renovations at Wrigley Field have made it impossible for him to watch games from the right field bleachers and behind home plate in his wheelchair like he had in past years, according to the Cook County Record. The federal lawsuit, which was filed Dec. 15, argues that changes at the ballpark are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the report added.

According to the complaint, Cerda had been able watch games at Wrigley from wheelchair seating areas in the right field bleachers and a lower box area behind home plate, the report stated. But when the Cubs rebuilt Wrigley's bleachers, the wheelchair area he had previously used was removed and replaced by a special ticketed area that includes a bar, the report added.

Wheelchair spots still remain in the lower box area, but Cerda claims the seating has been moved back several rows since 2014, the report stated. During a game last year, he says that he couldn't see the full field when other fans were standing, the report added.

Cerda's lawsuit is asking for the Cubs to add wheelchair areas in the bleachers that follows ADA guidelines, the report stated. He also wants the team to create a wheelchair area behind home plate, as well as change the lower box areas so that the viewing is "equal to or better" than what was available before the renovations, the report added.

Under the ADA guidelines, the Cubs are required to include wheelchair seating at Wrigley Field that is "substantially equivalent to, or better than, the choices of seating locations and viewing angles available to other spectators," the report stated.

More via the Cook County Record

Wrigley Field before Game 4 of the National League Division Series in October of 2017. (Photo by Nam Y. Huh | Associated Press)