Detroit Tigers: Miller Park Does Everything Right

After a visit to Wrigley Field on Saturday, this Detroit Tigers fan and her son went up north to check out Miller Park and the Milwaukee Brewers.

While I was a bit disappointed in Wrigley Field, I felt the complete opposite at Miller Park. I absolutely loved everything about the immense building on One Brewers Way.

This park does everything right. Absolutely everything.

If I wasn’t a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, it would be very easy to be a fan of the Brewers, simply because of the park.

Comerica Park is one of my favorite places on earth (along with Fort Myers Beach in Florida). But, after a spending the afternoon at Miller Park, there are a few things that could improve the fan experience at the CoPa.

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One of the best things about Miller Park happens prior to the game even starting. The tailgating in the parking lots is epic. Fans fill up the Yount and Uecker lots with their grills, canopies, corn hole games, and music. The Brewers are currently in fourth place in the NL Central, 12 games out of first, and the fans party like their team is the best in baseball. The huge parking lots are filled with everything that fans need – dumps for charcoal, port-a-potties, space for playing catch, etc. There is even a shuttle for fans who need assistance making from the parking lot to the stadium. And, police patrol the lot to make sure everyone stays safe and under control.

The entrances to the stadium are well-managed. The ugly metal detectors are within the walls of the stadium and the lines move quickly. Each door has one line in that separates into several metal-detector lines so fans are quickly moved into the park. At Comerica Park (and other parks), fans have to pick from one of several lines that enter through a specific gate and hopefully, they pick one that moves quickly.

The idea of quickly-moving lines happens at the concession stands inside of the park, too. At each large concession stand, there was one long line that snaked its way up to the counter. All kids at the park received a coupon for a free hotdog, bottle of water, and package of sliced apples. So, I got in line and it moved fast. Once I got to the front, I was called over by the first available cashier (there were at least 10 of them). I placed my order and a runner behind the cashier got all of my items. I paid and went back to my seat. This was so efficient. This way, no one had to guess which line would move the fastest – like the lines at Comerica. The small, specialty concession stands did not use this method, but there was not a need for it.

Miller Park has impressive architecture. The retractable roof brings a sense of awe – especially with it wide open. Even with the high walls, there was a breeze through the park. I’m sure it is a joy to watch baseball on frigid days in April and September with the roof closed. I’ve been to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg – that field is just gloomy and depressing, with no feel for the beauty of the Florida landscape. The beautiful grass and glass panels keep the field bright and cheery in Miller Park – it had none of the gloom that Tropicana Field has. Of course, adding a retractable roof to Comerica Park is not a reality, but it sure would make a big difference in the ever-changing Michigan weather.

The other part of the Wisconsin experience that I appreciate was the ease in getting out of the stadium and the parking lot. I usually park in one of the lots in Foxtown for $10 or $15. While the lots are easy to get to on foot, when the games are over, they are a nightmare to exit via automobile. Getting on to I-75 or M-10 takes a long time because the roads around the stadium are not designed for 10,000+ cars. But, at Miller Park (where there were over 34,000 people watching the game), it was quickly and easy to get out of the lot and onto the highway. The cars moved out of the lot and dispersed to the plethora of roads surrounding the park.

I also loved the fact that the fans actually watched the game. While my fellow Tigers fans cheer loudly for every strike thrown, the fans at Miller are much quieter. After my experience at Wrigley, where most people were too busy walking around and talking to enjoy the game, I was so happy that Brewers fans do pay attention. They cheer for the outs and big plays that the Brewers make on defense and they cheer loudly for the offensive plays, too. The fans at Comerica are much more enthusiastic during the games than the fans at Miller – but not by much.

One last thing…thank you, Milwaukee, for giving up Francisco Rodriguez!

Next: They Are Who We Think They Are

I’m ready for the Tigers to get back to Detroit, but I’m also ready to take a drive back to watch the Brewers. Stay tuned, later in July – I’ll give my review of Progressive Field when the Tigers face the Indians.