Is This Heaven? No, It's Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- Wait a minute. No swimming pool? No ferris wheel? No train?

They call this major league?

Actually, Milwaukee's Miller Park is all about major league. Baseball's newest cathedral, which hosted its first regular-season game Friday, has all the amenities that make modern ballparks so comfortable and inviting -- the luxury suites, the fine cuisine, the improved sightlines -- but despite its size and grandeur, the emphasis is clearly on baseball.

And despite a "new and improved" feel, the new park has preserved some of the unique touches that made County Stadium a favorite destination for baseball fans throughout the Midwest.

Tailgating Going Strong
Arriving at the park a good four hours before the first pitch, the parking lots were already filled with fans partaking in that old Wisconsin tradition -- the pregame tailgate. The scent of charcoal and roasting meat filled the air, as did a number of baseballs, Frisbees and even a few footballs (the Packers are never out of season around here).

Sheila Rossmiller of Wausau was playing catch with her sons -- Will, 9, and Sam, 6 -- on a grassy median in the north parking lot. The boys got a day off from school on what might as well have been a state holiday in Wisconsin.

"The boys both play Little League, and I coach," Rossmiller said. "Plus we have a summer college league team, the Wausau Woodchucks, so we go to a lot of games in the summers."

She said they usually hit five to 10 Brewers games a year, but with the arrival of Miller Park they were now proud owners of a 20-game partial-season ticket package.

Will was clearly excited about that fact. Wearing his Jeromy Burnitz jersey, he explained that he likes the Brewers' right fielder "because he's a power hitter, and because I have his jersey."

Curt Nye of Milwaukee brought his 17-year-old son Derek to the game as a way of saying "Happy Birthday" to the teenager. He is looking forward to seeing the impact the park will have on the community, especially among fallen-away baseball fans.

"A lot of people who haven't been out to games for years are now asking me for tickets," said Nye, who's also got a partial-season ticket package. "We're in the top deck, but it doesn't matter -- any place in there will be a good seat."

Terry DiLorenzo and his friends Duane and Shari Hanson -- all of Milwaukee -- were gathered around a grill featuring many of the staples of the true cheeseland tailgater. "We've got Wisconsin brats and Wisconsin beers -- Leine and Miller," said Shari Hanson.

DiLorenzo said he planned to see at least 10 games this season, more than in past years, and he echoed Nye's thoughts on the park's ability to bring fans back into the fold. "I like all of these new stadiums, and I think it's long overdue for this town," he said. "I think it will help the area a lot -- bringing recognition to the Brewers for a lot of people who haven't been paying much attention to them lately."

Musical Musings
Inside, the soundsystem blasted tunes more suited to a middle-aged rave than a ballgame, featuring a veritable 80s greatest hits before finally making a segue to more modern music during the game. A sampling of songs heard at Miller Park on Friday includes the following:

Great Seats, Eh Buddy?
A number of obstructed-view seats at the outer reaches of Miller Park have been dubbed "Uecker Seats" in honor of the Brewers' longtime radio announcer Bob Uecker. In the 80's Uecker was also a pitchman for Miller Lite beer, and in one of the company's most popular spots he was banished by an usher to the upper, upper deck to watch a game.

Friday night at Miller Park, two of those tickets were held by Eric and Stacey Gissel of Waukesha. The view from their seats (see below) was slightly obscured by a massive steel pole. OK, so if the shortstop makes a great play you'll have to see it on the nightly news, but what more can you ask for? Face value on the tickets is $1.

"It's still neat to be here," Stacey said. "It's the hottest ticket in town, even if it's only a buck."

Stacey confessed that she's only recently become a Brewers fan after years of following the Cubs. Eric said no park could match the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, although Miller Park was off to a good start.

"There's really no comparison to Wrigley," he said. "With all of its charm and tradition it's really unique, and this is brand new. But the seats are nice and the roof is pretty high-tech I guess."

He's right, of course. There's no tradition at Miller Park. And there's no smell of popcorn and beer and cigar smoke that made the old parks feel like a comfortable pair of sneakers that you wear on weekends.

But give it time -- give it time.

Overheard
"Many people played a role in bringing us this new ballpark, but none more important than you." -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, addressing the fans in a pregame ceremony

"How about that scoreboard? Isn't it nice that you can actually see what's up there?" -- Uecker, emcee of the ceremony, referring to the infamously bad scoreboard at County Stadium

"I truly want to put the uniform back on and play again." -- former Brewer star Robin Yount on his reaction upon seeing Miller Park

"Welcome to your new ballpark." -- Brewers president Wendy Selig-Prieb to the fans

Miller Park Edition

5. George W. Bush -- The country is counting on this righty to come out of the bullpen and earn a really big save.
4. Richie Sexson -- The big fella's gonna hit a few homers in this park.
3. Geoff Jenkins -- Him too.
2. Jeromy Burnitz -- Him too.
1. Ken Griffey Jr. -- This gimpy hammie is merely the Curse of Reimer.

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Patrick Donnelly is a national sports editor and columnist for Internet Broadcasting Systems. After seeing a game at Miller Park, he thinks the Metrodome is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist. Don't you think?.