Miller Park

Last week we had the opportunity to take in a major league game at yet another midwest ballpark. This time the destination was Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for Friday's Milwaukee Brewer - Pittsburgh Pirates game. These two teams are among the bottom of the National League Central. The Brewers not getting everything out of their talent, while the Pirates continue to trade off their good players in one continuous "build for the future."

Miller Park was built at the turn of the century. It sits next to the former home of the Brewers, Braves and football's Green Bay Packers, County Stadium. Old County Stadium was a great venue to watch baseball. Outdoors with plenty of parking and Bernie the Brewer sliding into a mug of beer after every home run by the home team. In moving to newer Miller Park, many of the same characteristics carried over. Still plenty of parking along with the opportunity for outdoor baseball, but Bernie the Brewer now has a water slide, another trademark of the dairy state and its numerous water parks.

However the game day experience has gone down along with the play on the field. Tailgating continues in the parking lots outside the park, but once inside the empty seats are becoming more noticeable. On this night the roof was open, the first time on my few trips to Miller Park. With a breeze out of the west, it could not be felt causing a very warm feel when the temperatures were in the 70s. Cheerleaders were now part of the experience, and they did a routine to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Cheerleaders have a part in sports, but not during the seventh inning stretch. And in 2011 the basic scoreboard will be replaced by an HD board, and it can't come soon enough. Although we made an appearance on the big screen, the fan experience could be enhanced with a better jumbotron presentation.

Below is a sampling of the night:

Opening Day!

Now that the Red Sox have beat the Yankees and ESPN has gotten the season underway, attention turns to Opening Day around Major League Baseball. Below are personal pictures of stadiums that get underway today.

Philadelphia Phillies (Roy Halladay) at Washington Nationals (John Leman)

Nationals Park in Washington D.C. is the scene for the defending National League Champions, Philadelphia Phillies to open up 2010. Nats Park is among the nicest, but it is definitely home to a team whose fans are just happy to have baseball in the Nation's Capitol.

Toronto Blue Jays (Shawn Marcum) at Texas Rangers (Scott Feldman)

One of the more spacious ballparks in the majors, the Ballpark at Arlington is now the older sister to Jerry's Cowboy Stadium. Every seat is a good seat, but lacks an ambience outside the stadium.

Los Angeles Dodgers (Vicente Padilla) at Pittsburgh Pirates (Zach Duke)

PNC Park in Pittsburgh is definitely the nicest stadium that doesn't have a team deserving of playing there. A beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh beyond the outfied fence, the ballpark has many fine dining, restaurant and drinking options surrounding it.

Colorado Rockies (Ubaldo Jiminez) at Milwaukee Brewers (Yovanni Gillardo)

A look back to one of my favorite stadiums in the majors, this is County Stadium, the previous home to the Milwaukee Brewers. This was taken in the last year for the park, as you see the newer Miller Park awaiting to be opened just beyond center field. County Stadium will forever be remembered as the home for the movie, "Major Leagues." Each park has plenty of parking surrounding it allowing for the best tailgating in the majors.

Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander) at Kansas City Royals (Zach Grenke)

Gone through some remodeling since this picture was taken in 2001, Royals Stadium is one of the nicest settings for baseball. Part of a two stadium complex, Royals Stadium shares the parking lot with Arrowhead Stadium, home of football's Kansas City Chiefs. The home to the Royals allows the best ticket prices to bring the home family of any park in the league. They, too just need a team worthy of its existence.

Of course the Chicago Cubs open on the road in Atlanta. Game time for that first pitch is 3:10 CT.

Opening Day at Miller Park

One of my favorite pictures when Colin was just over a year old. Here he takes in his second of two MLB games in as many days. The day before he was at Wrigley Field, this night at Miller Park watching the Brew Crew take on the Atros. It was also at a time where he was interested in walking. Luckily there was an empty seat near us and he made his way around peanut shells and his baby bag. Highlight of the night was, of course, the Sausage Race.

Miller Park South?

Do the Brewer fans really think they can overtake Wrigley Field for a late regular season game with the Cubs? It has already been proven that Cub fans aren't afraid to make the drive to Milwaukee to support their team, even if they aren't playing the Brewers. Now fans of the Brew Crew think they will outnumber the Wrigley faithful?