Bold claim: April 12 will be a landmark day for local high school baseball, as two underdog stories collide on the hallowed grass of Wrigley Field. And here’s why this doubleheader matters—and why it’s turning heads beyond Chicago’s usual baseball chatter.
There’s an unusual and exciting doubleheader slated for a single, historic afternoon at Wrigley Field on April 12. First, at 1:20 p.m., the Cubs will host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a Major League matchup. Then, roughly 45 minutes after the Cubs/Pirates game ends, Oak Lawn High School will take on Reavis High School on the same field—the first time a high-school game at Wrigley is scheduled to follow an MLB game.
When the Cubs reached out, Oak Lawn’s coach, Bill Gerny, described the moment as almost unreal. During a morning workout, he told his players, and they embraced it with wide enthusiasm. The school community is split in sports loyalties—about half Cubs fans and half Sox fans—but the opportunity to play on Wrigley transcends those rivalries. As Gerny put it, you can’t pass up a chance like this.
Both Oak Lawn and Reavis are sharing responsibility for selling 1,000 tickets, with proceeds and attendance benefiting both teams for their Cubs/Pirates and Oak Lawn/Reavis games. Specific ticket details hadn’t been announced at the time of the announcement.
The Oak Lawn vs. Reavis game is designated as an exhibition and will run as either seven innings or two and a half hours, whichever comes first.
Reavis expressed genuine excitement about the invitation. Kyle McKinley, in his second year coaching Reavis, said the players were ecstatic after meeting the team, calling the group exceptional and grateful. He framed the event as a memorable life experience that his players would carry with them—praising Wrigley Field as the greatest baseball venue imaginable.
Gerny described the afternoon as historic, noting that high-school teams rarely play at Wrigley Field, one of the world’s most iconic ballparks. The day promises to be a spirited spring for both programs, with Oak Lawn planning a March trip to Alabama and Reavis set to participate in the Prep Baseball Report showcase in O’Fallon, plus a Florida trip.
According to Cubs officials, this is currently the only high-school game on the slate for the season, though plans could evolve to include a few more in 2026. The Cubs emphasized that Oak Lawn was selected after considering several programs, citing strong academic and athletic credentials as part of the decision. They also stressed a broader goal: to showcase the ballpark to as many fans as possible.
Coach Gerny is eager for the moment he has waited for—the chance to see his players step onto the ivy-covered grounds of Wrigley Field.
Would you want to see more high-school teams get a shot at iconic venues, and what other historic ballparks should host similar crossover events? Share your thoughts in the comments.
