The Chicago White Sox had a difficult time getting U.S. Cellular Field ready for fans Saturday morning, and the team announced just hours before the game that the upper deck would be closed for the contest against the Cleveland Indians.

The seating area was closed because of 'icy conditions,' which forced the team to also keep the gates closed to the ballpark until 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. First pitch was scheduled for 1:05 p.m., but with fans slowly filing into the stadium, the start was delayed. 

According to the team, fans holding upper deck tickets were able to exchange them for lower level seats in Sections 110 and 154.

The team was forced to keep the ballpark closed as crews attempted to de-ice ramps on the concourses in the stadium. Wind chills at game time were around 18 degrees, with an air temperature of 34 at first pitch. 

The team announced Saturday afternoon that all fans in attendance at the game would receive a gift certificate for one free Upper Level seat or a $5 Outfield Reserve seat for any future 2016 April or May home game.

"Fan safety is always our first priority,” said Brooks Boyer, White Sox senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting in a statement. “We appreciate our fans coming out despite the cold, snow and ice, and we wanted to thank them for their always-amazing support by offering them a ticket to a future Sox game this spring."