Newz Forum: BASEBALL: Cubs to carry out safety inspection at Wrigley Field

Chicago, IL (AP) - A pair of reported incidents of falling debris at Wrigley Field have led to the Cubs announcing that they will begin a comprehensive hands-on inspection of the concrete underside of the upper deck and mezzanine suite levels. The inspections will begin on Friday.

There have already been two known incidents of falling concrete at the stadium, which is the second-oldest park in the majors and opened in 1914. Only Boston's Fenway Park is older.

According to the Cubs, a piece of concrete had fallen from the upper deck during the June 9 game versus St. Louis. There was an inspection of the concrete in that area and it was repaired before the next day's game. A licensed structural engineer inspected the precast concrete and the area around the incident and found no structural damage.

A second incident of falling concrete took place following the July 16 game versus Milwaukee. Similar results were found and similar repairs took place.

The Cubs were contacted by the City of Chicago Department of Buildings on Monday July 19. According to the team, the Cubs have been undertaking an on-going visual inspection of the entire stadium since May.

"The Chicago Cubs take these incidents very seriously," said Cubs President and CEO Andy MacPhail. "No one has a greater incentive than the Cubs to protect Wrigley Field and its fans."

The Cubs contribute nearly $1 million each off-season for repairs and maintenance to Wrigley Field.