On Saturday, May 9, five members of our South Side Sox staff had the opportunity to attend the first-ever “Gameday for the Girls” event hosted by the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. A huge thank you goes out to the White Sox organization for inviting us to be part of an evening dedicated to celebrating women in sports, and to the fans who continue to help shape the game and its community.
The entire game’s atmosphere felt intentionally welcoming and celebratory from the get-go. The White Sox partnered
with Sportsish to create a unique gameday experience that included an exclusive White Sox x Sportsish baseball cap.
Attendees also received a women’s athleisure jacket presented by RUSH, while pregame festivities included a “Get Ready with Me” activation near Gate 5 featuring hairstylists and nail prep stations.
Across the ballpark, fans could take part in a variety of interactive experiences designed to foster community engagement. Fun-themed photo opportunities, a live DJ, customizable hat embroidery, and personalized photo keychains at the Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina helped create a lively atmosphere throughout the event.
The BMO Local Business Hub showcased women-owned businesses from the area, and all-female bands played outside the stadium. Inside, the celebrations kept going with specialty cocktails from Level Sporting Club at the Topo Chico Lounge.
In another thoughtful touch, White Sox players selected walk-up songs performed by women artists throughout the game.
Fans who purchased the VIP experience gained access to a pregame panel held in the Stadium Club moderated by White Sox in-game host Alyssa Bergamini.
Panelists included Sportish founder Lily Shimbashi, sideline reporter Brooke Fletcher, and University of Iowa women’s basketball player Kylie Feuerbach. The candid conversation touched on their experiences in sports media and athletics while reinforcing the importance of creating more opportunities and visibility for women in the industry.
During the pregame festivities, Lily Shimbashi threw out the first pitch. The White Sox also highlighted Clarissa Flores, founder of Level Sporting Club and former Northwestern basketball player, who gave a hearty “Play ball” to start the game.
The White Sox as an organization have consistently shown a willingness to elevate women in sports spaces. South Side Sox staff members were also fortunate enough to attend the 2025 Game Changers Summit this past November, another example of commitment to amplifying women’s voices in baseball and sports media.
Events like “Gameday for the Girls” are a reminder that baseball and sports are at their best when everyone feels like they belong. As women who cover the game and work hard to build an inclusive community here at South Side Sox, we left the ballpark feeling thankful to support a team that continues to make that effort visible.
