Miller Park

[Hank 755]

First post here goes.

First off I pretty much expect negative comments towards Miller Park since most people loved County Stadium, although most of the people who loved County Stadium better are not Brewers fans. I don't know why people hate this place. I just think it wasn't given a fair chance because everybody was so unbiased towards County Stadium. I have been to both and out of the two I love Miller that much more. I don't see what people saw in County Stadium I thought it was a dump and a toilet bowl, nothing but obstructed views and a crappy score board with a black and white replay screen.

Miller Park is the first thing you see when you drive into Milwaukee and has really become an icon of Milwaukee. When you see it from the highway it looks amazing. The old county stadium made it look like you were going past a giant factory and that the city of Milwaukee was a rundown smog covered city. Miller Park gives the city a new image in my opinion. Miller Park has brought in a new age for Milwaukee.

For those who say Milwaukee didn't need a retractable roof stadium has never heard of Wisconsin weather. It can be sunny one minute and stormy the next, and of course it could be snowing in April.

Here are some pics I took after attending a game this year when the Brewers were still in first place in the NL Central.

I don't know why everyone says the outside is ugly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark058.jpg

Good times with my sister, brother-in-law and my dad behind the camera.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark060.jpg

I love this pic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark062.jpg

This score board is much better than the one in County Stadium.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark063.jpg

I mentioned before that County Stadium had tons of obstructed views, well in Miller Park the only obstructed view I had was a six foot Pirates fan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark064.jpg

Bernie's Dugout, the only thing I miss from County Stadium is the mug but this is still unique. No other ballpark has the mascot sliding down after a home run.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark068.jpg

The "Dew Deck" above right field.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark069.jpg

Field level eating type place thingy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark070.jpg

These people are sitting in airplane seats and if the Brewers hit a home run there those people get free airline tickets to anywhere they want I think.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark072.jpg

[sflnyc]

Great pics of Miller Park. Hopefully more threads of ALL the ballparks will start up.

One question though. How did you manage to intersperse the text with the pictures? I've been trying to do that for awhile but to no avail. I end up having to list the picture descriptions in a preceeding paragraph.

[Hank 755]

All I did was type the picture caption, hit return, and pasted in the image code, then I hit return again to put a space in between each picture.

[sflnyc]

Thanks. I'll try that next time. I have photos of County Stadium that I will post on this site soon.

P.S. I was really pulling for the Brewers to make to the playoffs this year. 1982 was way too long ago.

[nymdan]

Great pics of Miller Park. Hopefully more threads of ALL the ballparks will start up.

One question though. How did you manage to intersperse the text with the pictures? I've been trying to do that for awhile but to no avail. I end up having to list the picture descriptions in a preceeding paragraph.

When you've posted images, you have put them as attachments.

If you click on "Insert image" instead and use an image that's hosted elsewhere (Photobucket, etc), you can put text between.

[BigMac1212]

Great photos.

I was thinking of doing a 4-level football stadium, like Miller Park. Then I realize that 4 levels is too many.

[hsnterprize]

Great pics of Miller Park. I went to a Brewers/Diamondbacks game at old County Stadium the year before Miler Park opened. I've been wanting to visit Miller Park for a while, and I'm sure it'll be a great drive there to see what looks like a great stadium.

I feel bad about the 2002 All-Star Game (the game that ended in that infamous tie) considering all that had happened to get the game back in Milwaukee in the first place. And the game really reeks considering those 3 people who died during the stadium's construction.

Congratulations, Milwaukee and Brewers fans for a great ballpark. County Stadium will be missed, but Miller Park is an innovation in and of itself, and those associated with it should be proud.

Now if only the Brewers could've made it into the playoffs this season.

[nymdan]

One issue that has been pointed out before about Miller Park is that there is virtually no overhang at all between the different levels, resulting in the upper deck being very far away.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark064.jpg

Are there any other parks in the majors without any cantilevers?

Even Nationals Park, and the new Yankee Stadium, which people have complained about having upper decks that are pushed too far back, have the bottom upper deck hang pretty far out over the second level.

http://www.maurybrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/crosssection.jpg

[hofflalu]

Some additional perspectives from the game I attended on August 14, 2007, the night the '82 Brewers had their reunion and the Brewers & Cardinals played in their 1982 uniforms. I was lucky to upgrade to seats behind home plate:

Looking up at pre-game fireworks through the screen:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/1681194141_dfa4a5734b.jpg

What the seats looked like around where I was at (I ended up near a bunch of MLB scouts -- I believe a fair number of people in the forefront are the scouts):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/1681198893_64b1d9667a.jpg

A wide view of the field (with the '82 Brewers in their field positions):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/1681203599_1c2ed40d90.jpg

Game action:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/1682064636_d4cd879606.jpg

Looking straight-up:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/1682069426_aef1c26116.jpg

The Sausage Race as viewed from behind home plate:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/1681217969_77cdd936bf.jpg

Here you get an idea of the structure of the stadium at the base of the grandstand:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/1682079464_6c1ea0613d.jpg

Looking back at the roof pivot & the pressbox:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/1681228609_83c7015d12.jpg

The area reserved for, I presume, cameras & radar guns:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/1681233695_04bf3331b7.jpg

Miller Park at night:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/1681238577_f681f9eb48.jpg

[skobabe8]

Miller Park is a great place, inside and out. I was glad i got the chance to see it a couple of years ago.

One thing I would really like to know more about is the BeerPen in right field along the fence. US Cellular has had one like that and I'm curious how different this one is and how the seating works. Any pics would be appreciated!

[LolichCombo]

Having never visited County Stadium or Miller Park, I can't really comment on the ballpark layouts. But I do remember the classic Bernie Brewer very well and was disappointed that his beer mug, chalet, and beer keg was replaced for a dugout and home plate. The new setup seems a lot more sparse and not as imaginative. The dugout and home plate could be adopted by any team, but the beer mug and chalet said "Brewers."

[Onemoredayatshea27]

I think they had to make it family friendly, by removing anything that could imply the use of alcohol. It's a shame, both things you mentioned would have been really cool in that ballpark.

[Lafferty Daniel]

My dad took me to Miller Park a few years ago. It really felt like they were playing baseball in a gym...even with the roof open.

[jimmyjimjimz]

I think they had to make it family friendly, by removing anything that could imply the use of alcohol. It's a shame, both things you mentioned would have been really cool in that ballpark.

do they not sell beer there too?

[Onemoredayatshea27]

I was a bit harsh with my words. Sure they sell beer, and yes they named after Miller, but is the idea of sliding down into a beer glass a good idea for kids?

Heck, I really haven no idea. Ha Ha. Sorry.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I was a bit harsh with my words. Sure they sell beer, and yes they named after Miller, but is the idea of sliding down into a beer glass a good idea for kids?

Heck, I really haven no idea. Ha Ha. Sorry.

A lot of kids in Wisconsin start drinking beer at age 13 anyways. I think they should bring back the beer mug.

[Hank 755]

A lot of kids in Wisconsin start drinking beer at age 13 anyways. I think they should bring back the beer mug.

With a comment like that I bet your from Illinois.

People complain that Miller has a corporate name, well Miller Brewing company is located IN MILWAUKEE so I don't see why people are complaining that the name has nothing to do with the team like other stadiums. The team is called the Brewers, the Brewers are located in Milwaukee, Miller Brewing is located in Milwaukee, the stadium is called Miller Park, Milwaukee is famous for beer. It's one thing to name it after a local company but to have the team called the Brewers and then have the stadium named after a famous company located in the same city that has something to do with the team name is another.

[Lafferty Daniel]

With a comment like that I bet your from Illinois.

People complain that Miller has a corporate name, well Miller Brewing company is located IN MILWAUKEE so I don't see why people are complaining that the name has nothing to do with the team like other stadiums. The team is called the Brewers, the Brewers are located in Milwaukee, Miller Brewing is located in Milwaukee, the stadium is called Miller Park, Milwaukee is famous for beer. It's one thing to name it after a local company but to have the team called the Brewers and then have the stadium named after a famous company located in the same city that has something to do with the team name is another.

Minnesota actually...but I went to college with a lot of good people from Wisconsin. I too think Miller Park is a good name for the Brewers. It is kind of strange that the stadium still celebrates the state's beer history, yet they don't have Bernie's beer mug because a few mothers complained.

[Hank 755]

Sorry if I sounded like I was trying to be mean, I figured you were from either Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, or possibly Iowa. I just took a guess and said Illinois so I made a friendly interstate rivalry comment type thing.

I guess it's because little kids probably don't know what a brewer even is, as I never knew when I was little, all I knew is that there was a big beer mug beyond the outfield. You can call the stadium Miller Park and the team Brewers because little kids don't know what they are but they are very keen on visuals so they would notice a giant beer barrel and mug I guess. Not only that you are associating beer with a character that is sort of cartoonish and therefore appealing to kids. Though with all the crap on TV nowadays I don't see how a beer mug can be offensive.

[hsnterprize]

I guess it's because little kids probably don't know what a brewer even is, as I never knew when I was little, all I knew is that there was a big beer mug beyond the outfield. You can call the stadium Miller Park and the team Brewers because little kids don't know what they are but they are very keen on visuals so they would notice a giant beer barrel and mug I guess. Not only that you are associating beer with a character that is sort of cartoonish and therefore appealing to kids. Though with all the crap on TV nowadays I don't see how a beer mug can be offensive. I'll drink to that...

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/18/04/22850418.jpg

Sorry...I couldn't resist.

[hsnterprize]

Great photos.

I was thinking of doing a 4-level football stadium, like Miller Park. Then I realize that 4 levels is too many.Well...a few other baseball parks nowadays have 4 levels. Usually, it's a lower level, a club level, a suite level, and an upper level.

http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Photos/CoorsField2.jpg

Coors Field...

http://a2.vox.com/6a00b8ea071cb51bc000d4144ca6e23c7f-500pi

AT&T Park...

http://www.gophila.com/assets/dmt/images/10.PhilliesPark-R.KennedyG.jpg

Citizens Bank Park...

http://www.minorleagueballparks.com/safe.jpg

Safeco Field...



...to name a few.

[hsnterprize]

http://www.baseballrelated.com/images04/chicago/stands.jpg

Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf thought the "no obstructed views" would be something that would draw fans to this place. He was partially right. But because of local building codes and legislators telling him where he could put this place, the UD was pushed UP instead of BACK. If it were as pushed back as Reinsdorf wanted originally, it would be like another Miller Park.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[gman5431]

With a comment like that I bet your from Illinois.

People complain that Miller has a corporate name, well Miller Brewing company is located IN MILWAUKEE so I don't see why people are complaining that the name has nothing to do with the team like other stadiums. The team is called the Brewers, the Brewers are located in Milwaukee, Miller Brewing is located in Milwaukee, the stadium is called Miller Park, Milwaukee is famous for beer. It's one thing to name it after a local company but to have the team called the Brewers and then have the stadium named after a famous company located in the same city that has something to do with the team name is another.

All corporate names are stupid! But as corporate names go, the Brewers lucked out. As stated above, the company actually has a connection with the city and with the team, so its somewhat decent. I mean, we would love to have it named Brewers Park, but Miller is much less offensive then say "AT&T Park" or "PNC Park." The Reds lucked out too, i have met many people who didnt kno GABP was a corporate name.

G Man

[Onemoredayatshea27]

I'd add Citi Field to that list. The spelling is weird, but when you hear the word Citi, it sounds a lot less neutral then Tropicana or Minute Maid. Miller was a good choice for the Brewers, I'm just glad that there isn't a Walmart Park.

[JohnCropp]

Miller Park is definately on my list of places I'd like to catch a game. County Stadium definately was not.

The roof is very unique and the view from the parking lot is amazing. It alost looks too thin to be a ballpark.

After the accident and delays, it'd great to see the ballpark holding it's own amongst the modern baseball stadiums.

Although, everytime I see Bernie Brewer's slide I think that another tragedy is only a home run away.

Good God!

[brewerfan386]

I've been lurking around here for a while and couldn't resit showing some miller park photos from around the web. I really like m.p., I don't get why people hate it so much now that its been completed for over 5 Years. The Brewers are starting to get the benefits (revenue) of the new stadium with finishing at or above .500 in the last 2 years... end... rant :twocents:;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1133127209_78ceec763f_o.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1818415216_a1d2537b5b_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1976702632_4bec4a8523_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/2038868223_16a50a47d4_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1013082483_8045e37451_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1833989524_52b91eeef6_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1364978923_5386b47137_o.jpg

It is not a cheap place to get a really good brat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/1013933068_ac6b4fa71c_b.jpg

[nymdan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/packerfan386/2038868223_16a50a47d4_b.jpg


Welcome, thanks for sharing. What is that where County Stadium used to be, a little league field or something?

[brewerfan386]

What is that where County Stadium used to be, a little league field or something?

Yea, that is Helfaer Field, little league teams can rent it out during the pro-season for tournaments and such. (the former home plate of county stadium is located behind the 3rd base line)

from the brewers site:"The $3.1 million facility was funded by a $2 million grant from the Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation and an additional $1.1 million from the Miller Park infrastructure budget."

[hofflalu]

Yea, that is Helfaer Field, little league teams can rent it out during the pro-season for tournaments and such. (the former home plate of county stadium is located behind the 3rd base line)

from the brewers site:"The $3.1 million facility was funded by a $2 million grant from the Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation and an additional $1.1 million from the Miller Park infrastructure budget."

This reminds me of something I could never figure out about Helfaer Field: why wasn't the field oriented the same way as the County Stadium field, with home plate in the same location? Take a look at this overhead shot of County Stadium & Miller Park:

http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/milwaukee/images/illus_stadiumsouth.jpg

You'll notice how the County Stadium field is oriented a bit more more towards the south (the Miller Park field hadn't been laid as of that photo, but other aerial views I've seen do show that County Stadium faced more south than Miller Park). Meanwhile, in the recent shot of Miller Park above, you can see Helfaer Field is oriented a little more to the east than Miller Park.

To me, it would have made since to have home plate at Helfaer in the exact location as County Stadium, and have the field facing the same direction, so it's kind of like the old County Stadium field. It's not like there are spacing issues: it's surrounded by wide-open parking. Heck, they could have even preserved the entire County Stadium field by adding green space/picnic/tailgating areas beyond the little league-distance fences, while inside of what would have been County Stadium's fences.

So, anyone know why the Brewers decided to orient Helfaer differently from County Stadium, and place home plate in a different location than where County Stadium's was?

[monotone]

The Brewers are starting to get the benefits (revenue) of the new stadium with finishing at or above .500 in the last 2 years... end... rant :twocents:;)


I love the Brewers too but we have not finished at or above .500 the last two years. You are forgetting 2006

2007 83-79 (.512)
2006 75-87 (.463)
2005 81-81 (.500)

And it's not so much the revenue from the new stadium that is increasing our payroll. It's the fact that we finally have an owner that is committed to spending money on the team.

[Piusxibaseball]

this is what miller park needs

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e112/neumannurlz/millermug.jpg

[Chevy114]

I have always been a fan of how they used a butterfly design for the roof, I know its not as good as safeco is at getting sunlight. But its a pretty neat idea that seems to be my 2nd fav. retractable roff. Some shots make it look like a giant warehouse, but other than that it looks like a great place to watch a game!

[btown12]

I have never been to Miller Park but I have read interviews with players that during afternoon games and early evenings that the windows and the sun shining through them make it very hard to see. Is this a problem for fans as well? Is this a problem at all?

[hofflalu]

From my February 26, 1994, copy of the Milwaukee Sentinel (shortly before it merged with the Milwaukee Journal): photos of the original Miller Park models, featuring the three proposals for roofs: the arch, the fan and the tent. These are the scans from my copy:

The Arch:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2381374240_1884ae9e93_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2380540387_c1e02fa3a4_o.jpg

Some notes from the accompanying article:

Cost: $52.8 million

Each panel would be 300 feet wide, span 650 feet and have wheels resting on two permanent tracks.

The movable portion of the roof would be 335,000 square feet, with 65,000 square feet in the non-movable area.

The roof would be able to open and close in about 10 minutes.

The Fan:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/2381374746_40739237f2_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2380540955_89699ca497_o.jpg

Cost: $46.9 million

The moving portion of the roof would be 260,000 square feet. The adjoining non-movable roof would be 130,000 square feet.

The roof would be able to open or close in six minutes.

The Tent:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2381377058_3c0a82fd01_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2380540815_a0fdc7449b_o.jpg

Cost: $45.8 million

The area of the movable panels would be 230,000 square feet, while the permanent roof area would be 170,000 square feet.

The roof would open or close in six minutes.

Also, this from the November 8, 1996, edition of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (by now the two papers had merged): a photo, from October of 1996, or site preparation. This photo appeared in an edition of the Journal-Sentinel commemorating the groundbreaking of Miller Park.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2381375882_eb1acea588_b.jpg

[Lafferty Daniel]

The Arch looks like it could be a modern Polo Grounds with a roof. Nice find hoffalu.

[stlfan]

I like the fan proposal. I wish they would have done their fan design this way. In the proposal, the fan reaches further out, eliminating the closed in feel even when the roof is open. Because, like Chase Field, with the structure to support the closed roof being as high as the roofline, it still gives off an enclosed vibe.

[hofflalu]

Might Miller Park be going to FieldTurf in the coming years?

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2008/04/05/miller-park-s-turf.aspx

It won't happen anytime soon, but the Milwaukee Brewers are giving some thought about Miller Park's turf.

Most fans understand that the turf is not going to be in tip-top shape this early in the season. Because of the design of the stadium, there are sections of grass that don't see sunlight, and that causes problems.

As a result, the Brewers are looking at the possibility of putting Field Turf in some day.

...

There is also an economic component. The franchise would like to attract more non-baseball events at Miller Park, but worry any activity will ruin the field.

"We can't have things like tractor pulls that can bring in revenue," said principal owner Mark Attanasio. "The players like playing on real grass. We still care a lot about that."

[J.R.]

Fieldturf would be the finishing touch on this place.

They should have dispensed with the roof and built a nicer park. Everything above the 400 level looks awesome, everything else looks cheap as hell. Fake grass would complete the theme.

[MarcianoNY]

As a New York native/Yankee fan living in Milwaukee who has been to a bunch of games at "the Stadium" and Fenway Park, I have to say that Miller Park is a great place to see a game. The sightlines are great from any seat, the grass is really green, the food is great (not trendy starbucks-gentrified type junk like at a lot of new stadiums - this is a working-class town), and the beer is cheap. One thing I particularly like is the fact that the foul territory is somewhat like that in Yankee stadium... there is a significant portion behind home plate but the field-level stands in fair territory come right up to the foul line... And those seats are actually affordable. I saw a post in another thread that referred to Miller Park as "Wrigley North," however, if you went to a game now, as opposed to a few years ago when Selig still owned the team and they were one of the laughing stocks of the NL, you would see this is not the case... The Brewers are on track to sell 3 million tickets this year... Proof that the Steinbrenner model works: if you want people to come, put a good team on the field. Also, contrary to other posts, the stadium is not ridiculously huge - it seats 42,000 and most of those seats are great. Aesthetically speaking, the butterfly roof forms a very recognizable part of the Milwaukee skyline, and it looks more integrated than the Safeco Field type roof.
http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/marcianoNY/?action=view&current=wisconsin02.jpg

[Hank 755]

They should have dispensed with the roof and built a nicer park. Everything above the 400 level looks awesome, everything else looks cheap as hell. Fake grass would complete the theme.

Well the reason Miller has a roof is because Wisconsin has the most unpredictable weather. The beginning of the season is often very cold and it can be a perfectly blue sky and then all of a sudden you get rain.

Already this year we have gotten so much snow, but it wasn't all at once. We had a couple inches of snow one day, and then about four days of good weather, followed by a day of even more snow. On good friday we got about and average of 16 inches of snow and three days latter it all melted away and we had flash flood warnings.

Wisconsin weather man, I'm telling you.

[HoJoPiazza2031]

First post here goes.

First off I pretty much expect negative comments towards Miller Park since most people loved County Stadium, although most of the people who loved County Stadium better are not Brewers fans. I don't know why people hate this place. I just think it wasn't given a fair chance because everybody was so unbiased towards County Stadium. I have been to both and out of the two I love Miller that much more. I don't see what people saw in County Stadium I thought it was a dump and a toilet bowl, nothing but obstructed views and a crappy score board with a black and white replay screen.

Miller Park is the first thing you see when you drive into Milwaukee and has really become an icon of Milwaukee. When you see it from the highway it looks amazing. The old county stadium made it look like you were going past a giant factory and that the city of Milwaukee was a rundown smog covered city. Miller Park gives the city a new image in my opinion. Miller Park has brought in a new age for Milwaukee.

For those who say Milwaukee didn't need a retractable roof stadium has never heard of Wisconsin weather. It can be sunny one minute and stormy the next, and of course it could be snowing in April.

Here are some pics I took after attending a game this year when the Brewers were still in first place in the NL Central.

I don't know why everyone says the outside is ugly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark058.jpg

Good times with my sister, brother-in-law and my dad behind the camera.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark060.jpg

I love this pic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark062.jpg

This score board is much better than the one in County Stadium.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark063.jpg

I mentioned before that County Stadium had tons of obstructed views, well in Miller Park the only obstructed view I had was a six foot Pirates fan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark064.jpg

Bernie's Dugout, the only thing I miss from County Stadium is the mug but this is still unique. No other ballpark has the mascot sliding down after a home run.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark068.jpg

The "Dew Deck" above right field.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark069.jpg

Field level eating type place thingy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark070.jpg

These people are sitting in airplane seats and if the Brewers hit a home run there those people get free airline tickets to anywhere they want I think.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark072.jpg

I recently moved to Chicago from NY, and I can't find a redeeming quality about Wrigley. Everyone I have met out here has had nothing but great things to say about Miller, so i'm pretty anxious to make the drive up there. From everything I can see, Miller looks amazing, and I hear the real party takes place in the parking lot - didn't they install coal pits because of all the post-tailgate fires at County Stadium?

I never made it up to County, but wasn't it featured in "Major League"?

[MarcianoNY]

Well the reason Miller has a roof is because Wisconsin has the most unpredictable weather. The beginning of the season is often very cold and it can be a perfectly blue sky and then all of a sudden you get rain.

Already this year we have gotten so much snow, but it wasn't all at once. We had a couple inches of snow one day, and then about four days of good weather, followed by a day of even more snow. On good friday we got about and average of 16 inches of snow and three days latter it all melted away and we had flash flood warnings.

Wisconsin weather man, I'm telling you.

Its not so much that the weather is unpredictable, its the fact that there's a distinct possibility of getting 12 inches of snow well into April! The snow makes for great Packer games, but baseball... eh, not so much.

[Chevy114]

I think out of all of the 3 options, they definately picked the best one and most original one!

[twinsfan1996]

As a twins fan I don't find m.p. that bad:nod:

[ChineseDemocracy]

Miller Park is class, inside and out.

[KevinWI]

Miller Park is my home stadium. Good times. Love it. :gt

I pass it every day on my commute to school. The day after the Brewers got into the post season last year, the next day I passed it I got a tear in my eye.

[Chevy114]

I still love this place although its too big for such a small town and parts of it feel like a warehouse, they did great things with it!

[DJ Starion]

I drove up on Labor Day to watch Ben Sheets vs. Johan Santana. It was my first time at Miller Park and it was easily one of the best parks I have ever been to. The tailgating scene is absolutely unreal too.

[thechefs2003]

So, anyone know why the Brewers decided to orient Helfaer differently from County Stadium, and place home plate in a different location than where County Stadium's was?

I was wondering that myself. It's a great idea to leave the old field there and let the little leaguers play on it (I wish they had done this with all the old parks) but it would have been a lot better, historically speaking, to leave the field as it was.

[badjuggler]

Bad things about Miller Park (from a Twins fan):

1. You feel like you are indoors even when roof is open.
2. Roof is closed too much. I was there for a game on a sunny 60 degree day and the roof was closed. I was irate.
3. Surrounding area is ugly as sin. And you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.

I am so glad Target Field will be an open stadium. Believe it or not, I actually own a jacket!

Oh, and I got a good laugh out of the post about "cheap beer" a few posts after a photograph of a message board advertising beer for $7.25.

[ChineseDemocracy]

Watered down beer at Dodger Stadium is $12, so paying $7.25 for beer is quite the bargain.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Field level eating type place thingy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/redust/BrarydenBrewersBikeMark070.jpg
The bricks on the wall of the eating place thingy are bricks from Milwaukee County Stadium:clapping

[THINK BLUE]

Watered down beer at Dodger Stadium is $12, so paying $7.25 for beer is quite the bargain.
This has almost made me stop getting beer at Dodger games but i love that blue blinking plastic stein:shrug:

[VekterNYM]

I really enjoyed Miller Park, I visited there during my Midwest trip last August. I wish I had a chance to take more pictures around the park, I only got to take pictures from my seats. I liked how the Upper Deck was set up, less steep then US Cellular.

I missed most of the sausage race because I was too busy getting a brat. If I recall, Polish won.

If anyone is thinking about visiting Miller Park, do yourself a favor and go to the Miller Brewery as well. My friend and I walked from Miller Brewery to Miller Park, probably to burn off the beer we drank.

[brewerfan386]

I really enjoyed Miller Park, I visited there during my Midwest trip last August. I wish I had a chance to take more pictures around the park, I only got to take pictures from my seats.

lets see those pics :waving

[VekterNYM]

A few pictures I took during my visit to Miller Park on August 23rd. I had some taken with my iPhone, the others were with my digital camera.

I was really tired and a bit under the weather (Chicagobaritis), so I couldn't do my usual walk around the ballpark and take decent concourse pictures.
I did what I could!

[DiggerODell]

Miller Park. Sure hope the park isn't as time consuming to find as it's thread . . .ha! 2nd to the last stop on our tour . . . never been there, know very little about it, hope to change that.

[Chevy114]

I have a architech question. Could a team make retractable walls on a stadium? I see a lot of glass in the outfield of this stadium and I think it would be cool if the walls starting at each side of the scoreboard retracted with the roof. Or is that too hard to do?

[skobabe8]

I have a architech question. Could a team make retractable walls on a stadium? I see a lot of glass in the outfield of this stadium and I think it would be cool if the walls starting at each side of the scoreboard retracted with the roof. Or is that too hard to do?

Those glass walls you are talking about do open.

[The Old Ballpark]

I have a architech question. Could a team make retractable walls on a stadium? I see a lot of glass in the outfield of this stadium and I think it would be cool if the walls starting at each side of the scoreboard retracted with the roof. Or is that too hard to do?

The glass walls in the outfield at Minute Maid Park in Houston open.

[earl34]

I went to Miller Park during my bachlor party trip from Houston, the astros were in town thats why we went there. The fans were great, it was '05 and Clemens was pitching, he got shelled but the Brewer fans were great to us, we sat in the outfiled were it was a little rowdey, we enjoyed the cold beer, and we ate in Fridays i think, loved the park, loved the city, very underapprciated, nobody understood whyt we came from Houston to there for a bachlor party, in Houston i probably couldnt find a place were i could get a beer with my breakfest, it was a great trip

[Chevy114]

Those glass walls you are talking about do open.

Every picture above your post has the windows still there. I am talking about making them move away no frames no nothing, like minute maid park, just one big peice, roof and glass connected.

[skobabe8]

Every picture above your post has the windows still there. I am talking about making them move away no frames no nothing, like minute maid park, just one big peice, roof and glass connected.

The frames remain, but the glass windows are gone in those pictures. Compare the look of the glass with the roof open, as opposed to the roof closed. Actually, I don't even think we can call it glass. Its actually a wall that slides behind those frames I guess.

[Chevy114]

The frames remain, but the glass windows are gone in those pictures. Compare the look of the glass with the roof open, as opposed to the roof closed. Actually, I don't even think we can call it glass. Its actually a wall that slides behind those frames I guess.

Thanks I see the differnce, I never noticed it. I guess I just wish it was the same difference we saw with a closed vs. open minute maid park

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

April 15th 2009 Brewers vs. Reds Miller Park Photos
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3456583312_a3e780cb31_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3456580966_c6e035bf5a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3455813599_79894784ab_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3456628468_03a37736ce_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3455808461_eb69e40fe0_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3456622060_d2b734537d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3456618224_6d39b64992_b.jpg

[mdseverin]

The exterior of Miller Park is very nice and unique. However, I have to agree that even with the roof open it still feels like you are watching the game in a gym. It doesn't get enough sunlight. Maybe they should remove those window frames when the roof is open. It may help give the park a more open feeling.

[jweidt]

Of the retractable roof stadiums, I've been to Miller Park and Safeco. Safeco is like a car that's a convertible, so when the roof is open it's like an outdoor ballpark. Miller Park is like a car that has a sunroof, so that even when the roof is open you still feel like you are indoors.

I live in Minnesota and wish we would have built a Safeco clone here, as was the orginal proposal. However, I prefer Target Field to Miller Park from May to September, although I think it will be brutal to play postseason night baseball here.

[DukeBX]

it's great to have a new ballpark. now,retractable roofs aren't so bad,but i just don't like them when it creates a huge wall behind the outfield. i like to watch a HR and sometimes see the sky or a building far off. same wall at Chase Field,Minute Maid Park as well. I think Safeco has theirs different. left to center field ,you can see the outside of the park.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more of my April 15th 2009 Brewers vs. Reds Miller Park Photos
Helfaer Field At The Site Of Old Milwaukee County Stadium
(The Stadium was built by the same people who built Milwaukee County Stadium, and The Lights at the Stadium are from County Stadium, Where I took this photo would be left field at County Stadium looking towards home plate)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3460988314_b91e41ca32_b.jpg
View of Brewers Batting Practice from Friday's Front Row
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3460986336_1661004b27_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3460983828_d84c68a23a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3460981638_1ef23a0e49_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3460979690_c297b7a99b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3460162021_3f0a9c2238_b.jpg
View Of Reds Batting Practice from the seats in between the Brewers Dug Out and Home Plate
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3460975970_2eda073782_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3460973594_4c32408cfb_b.jpg
Views of the game from my seats 8 rows behind home plate
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3460156139_beeb05c3a6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3460969332_48e75a8bc7_b.jpg

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

A few more photos of Brewers Bating Practice from Friday Front Row
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3460940128_7ec8ea0d64_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3460111035_c773d31499_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3460915180_4d0228dec4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3460135721_7de41c3dce_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3460127341_00e26c7d8e_b.jpg
Brewers Manager Ken Macha
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3460119939_8220fe3df9_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3460967084_6326387184_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3460149527_79dfb4df1e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3460959850_9de0f5e1af_b.jpg

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more of my April 15th 2009 Brewers vs. Reds Miller Park Photos
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3460933524_63421b6406_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3460115551_1d0fe24b75_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3460113141_3ab9c6e209_b.jpg

[DJ Starion]

I'm curious to see how the sausages around the clock in RF look

[six4three]

loved the park, loved the city, very underapprciated, nobody understood whyt we came from Houston to there for a bachlor party, in Houston i probably couldnt find a place were i could get a beer with my breakfest, it was a great trip

And now you've hit on the sheer brilliance that is Milwaukee. :D

[NYBase]

Dunno if this came up.... but why does this place have a roof? Is weather bad in WI? Was it put there because in fashion to build stadiums with roofs?

[mdseverin]

Dunno if this came up.... but why does this place have a roof? Is weather bad in WI? Was it put there because in fashion to build stadiums with roofs?

Yes, the weather is bad in WI. In April it's still pretty cold and then in the summer it can be nice and sunny one minute and then raining the next. Last year there were some teams that had to open their season in Miller Park because there was snow covering their field. I think it was Cleveland that played there.

[brewers08]

Ive been to this ballpark many times, and i love it. Some people don't like it because of the roof, but it is a necessity around here where you can get temps in the 30's and 40's into may. People who have never been to the park seem to give it a bad rep, but everyone that's been to it gives it a great rating.The food is great as always, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Forbes ranked it #9th best in MLB.

[tfc3rid]

Ive been to this ballpark many times, and i love it. Some people don't like it because of the roof, but it is a necessity around here where you can get temps in the 30's and 40's into may. People who have never been to the park seem to give it a bad rep, but everyone that's been to it gives it a great rating.The food is great as always, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Forbes ranked it #9th best in MLB.


I always come out to see my Metsies play the Brew Crew and my fiancee's family is from Madison... I love the place. It's a great ballpark and I think the roof is something else...

[six4three]

Ive been to this ballpark many times, and i love it. Some people don't like it because of the roof, but it is a necessity around here where you can get temps in the 30's and 40's into may. People who have never been to the park seem to give it a bad rep, but everyone that's been to it gives it a great rating.The food is great as always, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Forbes ranked it #9th best in MLB.


I've been a couple dozen times. Can't stand the roof design/outfield panels - it's always looming over the field, even on a beautiful day. Really impacts the experience.

The food's great, though. And the beer.

[DrBear]

Hey, we're hardy in Wisconsin, but it snowed here on Monday. We needed the roof. In addition, the Brewers try to market to the entire state, and that means you have to be sure there will be a game.

[mrjpa]

I'll second what DrBear wrote. Weather can be a little strange at times. This week, for example, snow on Monday, 80s on Friday. The late afternoon shadows look worse on TV than in person. If you have a chance to take the tour, do it. It's a very impressive building, indeed. Also a tip of the hat to the earlier post about the bachelor party and beer with breakfast. Sure you could have a had a few locals join in with a toast or two.
The wife and I even considered getting married during a game there two years ago--she wanted a baseball themed wedding--like she had to twist my arm real hard in that case :)

[brewers08]

Hey, we're hardy in Wisconsin, but it snowed here on Monday. We needed the roof. In addition, the Brewers try to market to the entire state, and that means you have to be sure there will be a game.

Very true, sad to here you had snow on Monday. Here is a good article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about that same topic on how the roof works for fans outside Milwaukee.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/41060437.html

[brewers08]

Brewers are adding a "splash zone" at the end of Bernie's slide. Im not sure about this one yet, ill have to see it in action to give it a final judgment. I will say that it has been a little dull since the days of the beer barrel at County Stadium.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/smileatdeath11/bernie.jpg

Story:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/45409892.html

[brewerfan386]

Some flood damage reported at Miller Park (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/48612502.html#)
By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Jun. 19, 2009

Heavy overnight rain caused some flooding damage to the service level at Miller Park, a team official said Friday.
The clubhouses, which are accessed from the service level, escaped damage but the carpeting will have to be replaced, according to Tyler Barnes, a team spokesman.

The stadium lost power during the storm and is now operating on a backup system. That means the sale of game tickets is limited to online sales, Barnes said.

Also, Friday's Front Row Sports Grill at the stadium is closed because of the loss of the main power system.

Some inventory in storage areas was lost, including office supplies, promotional items and some food, Barnes said.

As for the field, there are no problems.
"We could play right now if we had to," Barnes said.
The Brewers are in Detroit this weekend but will return to Miller Park on Tuesday for a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins.

Is everyone okay down in the Milwaukee/ SE region.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Miller Park to be OK after flooding
Situation to be resolved by the time team returns Tuesday

06/19/09 7:53 PM ET

DETROIT -- A severe storm in Milwaukee early Friday morning knocked out power at Miller Park and caused what a Brewers official termed "moderate" flooding in parts of the ballpark's service level, including the clubhouses. But the situation should be resolved before Tuesday, when the team returns home to host the Twins.

"We're maybe looking to replace some carpeting in offices and the clubhouses, but the clubhouses were spared the worst of the problems," said Brewers vice president of communications Tyler Barnes, who was doubly affected because his own home took on water.

"The field apparently is in good shape," Barnes said. "We anticipate absolutely no problems at all being ready to play on Tuesday."

It was too early to begin discussing alternatives if Miller Park isn't ready by then, Barnes said.

The major priority on Friday afternoon was restoring power. It was still out as of 5 p.m. CT on Friday, though in-house generators were supplying electricity to workers who had already begun the process of cleaning up and replacing carpet and wet drywall.

Brewers players, preparing for the start of an Interleague series in Detroit, were hearing much more dire reports of several feet of water in areas of home clubhouse, a rumor that Barnes disputed. Clubhouse manager Tony Migliaccio, who is with the team on this road trip, referred questions to more senior club officials.

"From what I understand, there is no damage to the contents of the lockers," Barnes said. "The higher water levels were in the service tunnel and the areas right off the service tunnel."

The team's e-mail system was down until late into the afternoon, and the Brewers employees not associated with clean-up efforts were working from home.

The club's initial belief was that rainfall from a downpour that dropped nearly five inches of rain on parts of the city funneled from Miller Park Way through the ballpark's south dock.

"That's what we believe right now, although we're not really assessing the 'how' or 'why' at the moment," Barnes said. "We're focusing on the clean-up. At some point, we'll want to know exactly what happened."

Miller Park also sustained some flooding last June when a series of storms passed through Milwaukee, though it was less serious than on Friday. Another band of storms was in the forecast for the area later in the day.

"Assuming the power is back on relatively quickly, then plans are very much in place to be ready to go on Tuesday," Barnes said. "They mobilized forces down here well before sunrise and the progress they have already made is stunning."

[Seattle1]

You know what song they should play over the intercom? That old Miller Beer song.

"When it's time to relax, one beer stands clear...if you got the time, we got the beer....Miller Beer!"

Anyone remember that one?

I have another good idea. Sometimes in between innings in order to kill time the crowd could argue with each other. One half of the crowd should holler "TASTES GREAT!" and the other half should answer "LESS FILLING!" And just keep going like that.

[brewers08]

I had some puddles in my basement but still not as bad as last year's rain storms.

[Seattle1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXMJZke22cE

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXMJZke22cE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXMJZke22cE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here are my photos from Miller Park June 23rd 2009 vs. Twins game that I went to. Just a note on the day of the Game June 23rd it was Sunny and 99 out it was so hot out!
http://sports.webshots.com/album/573232075zYAbTA

[DiggerODell]

Here are my photos from Miller Park June 23rd 2009 vs. Twins game that I went to. Just a note on the day of the Game June 23rd it was Sunny and 99 out it was so hot out!

MCS, I seem to not be able to see any photos or any link to photos elsewhere? Is it just my computer?

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

MCS, I seem to not be able to see any photos or any link to photos elsewhere? Is it just my computer?
Here you go I fixed it http://sports.webshots.com/album/573232075zYAbTA

[BMF]

Brewers are adding a "splash zone" at the end of Bernie's slide. Im not sure about this one yet, ill have to see it in action to give it a final judgment. I will say that it has been a little dull since the days of the beer barrel at County Stadium.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/smileatdeath11/bernie.jpg

Story:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/45409892.html

I have never been to miller park so I wont judge untill I do. but as far as the slide does that mean that Bernie will have to change costumes everytime theres a home run?

[DiggerODell]

Here you go I fixed it http://sports.webshots.com/album/573232075zYAbTA

Great photos MCS! This park is almost like a different place with the roof open compared to the evening I was there last month with it closed.

[brewers08]

I saw that there was a vote for this awhile ago, but apparently Miller Park is getting a new HD scoreboard for 2010. Im surprised i didn't catch this earlier and that it flew under the radar. This is good news, the scoreboard is only 10 years old but came out before the HD age, and therefore is outdated.

The dream may be over this year for the Milwaukee Brewers, but that doesn't mean fans can't begin thinking about next year. As the remaining MLB clubs fight it out for baseball's greatest prize, Miller Park is getting set to get a new coat of grass this off-season. Additionally, the park will get fitted with a brand new HD scoreboard, and while specifications were sadly absent, it will be installed and ready to wow by Opening Day 2010.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/08/brewers-miller-park-getting-hd-scoreboard-for-2010-opening-day/

[SJLT252]

Is there a way to put a AC system at Miller Park for summer days were the roof must be closed due to rain, as the stadium must be god-awful hot in that situtation? Also, woudn't a system of grass trays like reliant stadium make sense as a solution to the shade problems and lets the stadium be used year round?

[brewers08]

Is there a way to put a AC system at Miller Park for summer days were the roof must be closed due to rain, as the stadium must be god-awful hot in that situtation? Also, woudn't a system of grass trays like reliant stadium make sense as a solution to the shade problems and lets the stadium be used year round?

Im sure there is a way to put a AC system in, but i think its unnecessary. Usually when it rains around here in the summer, the temps really cool down so there is no need for a AC system. I don't remember a time when it was extremely hot and rainy. The turf situation is a problem, but i know the Astros just put in some new grass that only needs minimal sunlight and water that the Brewers will probably need to put in the next time they re-sod the field.

[marlins739]

It has such a giant interior volume that temperatures during a rainstorm shouldn't be a problem. Hot air rises. I think this place looks much better in person, especially from outside. The roof is amazing to look at from out there behind the plate. And I didn't get the airplane hangar feeling in there, but maybe just because I'm a fan of retractable roofs and can't wait to get ours.