American Family Field facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
American Family Field

American Family Field (then Miller Park) in 2018
American Family Field Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin American Family Field Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Miller Park (2001–2020)
Address	1 Brewers Way
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates	43°1′42″N 87°58′16″W / 43.02833°N 87.97111°W / 43.02833; -87.97111
Owner	Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District
Capacity	41,900
Record attendance	46,218
Field size	Left Field – 342 feet (104 m) (2021 posted 342, original 344 feet) Left-Center – 371 feet (113 m) (Not Posted) Center Field – 400 feet (122 m) Right-Center – 374 feet (114 m) (Not Posted) Right Field – 337 feet (103 m) (345 posted) Backstop – 56 feet (17 m)
Surface	Kentucky Bluegrass
Scoreboard	1080 display, 5,940-square-foot (552 m2) video board, 55 feet (17 m) high x 110 feet (34 m) wide
Construction
Broke ground	November 9, 1996 (November 9, 1996)
Built	1996–2001
Opened	April 6, 2001 (April 6, 2001)
Construction cost	US$400 million ($661 million in 2022 dollars )
Architect	HKS, Inc. NBBJ Eppstein Uhen Architects
Project manager	International Facilities Group, LLC.
Structural engineer	Arup/Flad Structural Engineers
Services engineer	Arup/Kapur & Associates
General contractor	HCH Miller Park Joint Venture (Hunt Construction; Clark Construction; Hunzinger Co.)
Tenants
Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) (2001–present)

American Family Field is a cool stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It has a special retractable roof that can open and close. This stadium is the home ballpark for the Milwaukee Brewers, a professional baseball team.

It first opened in 2001. Before 2021, it was called Miller Park. The name changed because American Family Insurance bought the rights to name the stadium.

The stadium has the only fan-shaped roof in North America. It can open or close in less than 10 minutes! Big glass panels let sunlight in, which helps the natural grass field grow.

Building the Stadium

American Family Field was one of the biggest building projects ever in Wisconsin. It cost about $290 million in public money. This money came from a small sales tax that was collected from 1996 to 2020.

The stadium's unique fan-shaped roof was a big part of its $392 million cost. This roof helps keep the seating area warm, even when it's cold outside. For example, if it's freezing outside, the inside can be around 62 °F (17 °C). This means games can be played comfortably, no matter the weather. The idea for a retractable roof came early in the design process. This was to help with Wisconsin's unpredictable weather in spring and fall.

Many different companies helped design the stadium. The main idea came from NBBJ, and Arup helped with the engineering. HKS, Inc. was in charge of the final design. Other local teams also helped out.

The stadium's design was inspired by newer ballparks built in the 1990s. These stadiums often mix old-fashioned looks with modern features.

The first grass on the field was put down on March 10, 2001. Some of the dirt and home plate from the old stadium, Milwaukee County Stadium, were moved to the new field.

The stadium was called Miller Park until the end of 2020. This was part of a $40 million deal with Miller Brewing Company. Then, American Family Insurance bought the naming rights for 15 years.

Roof Challenges

The unique fan-shaped roof has had some issues. Parts of the roof's moving system have been replaced.

In 2006, the system that moves the roof, called the "bogie system," was replaced. This cost over $13 million. New, stronger parts were installed. Workers had to lift parts of the roof about 6 inches (15 cm) to do this. The new parts are expected to last a long time.

Another problem with the roof and glass panels is shadows. During day games, when the roof is open, shadows can cover home plate. This was a concern for batters. For a while, they tried opening only half the roof to make a bigger shadow. But this idea was later stopped.

New Features

Several new things were added to the stadium for the 2006 season:

• New LED scoreboards were added along the left-field wall. These show scores from other Major League games.
• Another scoreboard was added around the stadium's second level. This one shows announcements and ads. It also displays player stats.
• A picnic area was added in the right-field corner. It can hold 75 people. Fans can relax and watch the game from here. This area has had different names over the years, like Mercedes-Benz Field Haus and Aurora Health Care Bullpen.

In 2009, the outfield grass was replaced with a new type called "Lo-Mo" Kentucky bluegrass. This new grass is denser and has a sand base. It helps the baseball bounce more truly and makes it easier for outfielders to field the ball.

Between 2010 and 2011, the main scoreboard in center field was replaced. It's now a large, full-color, high-definition screen. It's one of the biggest screens in MLB stadiums. The stadium's sound system was also improved.

Sensory-Friendly Area

In June 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers team announced a quiet area at American Family Field. It's called a Sensory friendly area. This space is for people with sensory processing disorders. It has "sensory bags" with things like noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted lap pads.

How Many Fans Attend?

The view from behind home plate.

Since American Family Field opened in 2001, the Brewers have had many fans. On average, over 31,000 fans attend each game. This means more than 2.5 million fans come each season!

In 2011, the Brewers set a record with over 3 million fans in one season. Since 2004, they have had at least 2 million fans every year. This is a streak of 15 years, which is one of the longest in Major League history.

Note: In 2020, fans were not allowed in MLB stadiums because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, fans could attend, but with fewer people allowed for part of the season.

Fun Things to See and Do

The sausages running along the 3rd base side.

• Bernie Brewer is the team's mascot. He has a clubhouse above the left field seats. After every Brewers home run and win, Bernie slides down into a home plate-shaped area! When a home run is hit, fireworks go off, and the words "Get Up, Get Up, Get Outta Here, Gone!" light up.
• Hank the Dog is another mascot. He first appeared on September 13, 2014. Hank was a real dog found wandering near the team's practice field. He was named after famous baseball player Hank Aaron.
• The Barrelman mascot started on April 6, 2015. This character was the team's main logo from 1970 to 1977.
• The Johnsonville Sausage Race happens during each game in the middle of the 6th inning. Five different "racing sausages" run: the Bratwurst, the Polish, the Italian, the Hot Dog, and the Chorizo. The Chorizo was added in 2007.
• During the 7th inning stretch, fans sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Roll Out the Barrel". "Roll Out the Barrel" is a nod to Milwaukee's history of making beer.
• Outside the stadium, you can see statues of legendary Milwaukee players like Robin Yount and Hank Aaron. There are also statues of former team owner Bud Selig and longtime radio announcer Bob Uecker.
• A sculpture called Teamwork honors three workers who died during the stadium's construction.
• Helfaer Field is a youth baseball field outside American Family Field. It's built where the old County Stadium's infield used to be.
• The American Family Field Walk of Fame honors players from both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves. It's located near the stadium's home plate entrances.
• The Brewers Wall of Honor was created in 2014. It celebrates Brewers players, coaches, and executives. It's on an outside wall near the Hot Corner entrance.
• The Selig Experience is an exhibit honoring former Brewers owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig. It opened on May 29, 2015.

Special Events

Baseball Games

Batting practice prior to a Milwaukee Brewers-Cincinnati Reds game on August 17, 2013

On opening day, April 6, 2001, President George W. Bush and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig threw out the first pitches. The stadium also hosted the 2002 MLB All-Star Game.

Other Baseball Games

Sometimes, other baseball teams play games here. In April 2007, snowstorms in Ohio caused the Cleveland Indians to move their games to Milwaukee. Fans could buy tickets for only $10. These were the first games played under American League rules in Milwaukee since 1997.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike forced the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros to play two games at American Family Field. On September 14, 2008, Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs threw a no-hitter here. This was the first no-hitter in the stadium's history!

Bowling

American Family Field even hosted a bowling event! In October 2007, the United States Bowling Congress Masters finals were held here. Four bowling lanes were set up on the field.

Concerts

Many famous musicians have performed concerts at American Family Field.

Soccer Games

American Family Field has also hosted international soccer matches.

Date	Winning Team	Result	Losing Team	Tournament	Spectators
July 16, 2014	Swansea City	1-1	Guadalajara	International Friendly	31,000
July 14, 2015	Club Atlas	2-1	Newcastle United		21,256
July 11, 2018	C.F. Pachuca	3-1	Club León		18,321

Basketball Games

On November 11, 2022, the University of Wisconsin Badgers basketball teams played games at American Family Field. This event was called the "Brew City Battle." Both the men's and women's teams played.

Movie Premiere

On August 11, 2012, the stadium hosted a special event called "Field of Honor." Over 30,000 tickets were sold! It included the first showing of a movie called Honor Flight. This movie is about a program that flies World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials.

Arctic Tailgate

The Arctic Tailgate is a yearly event where fans camp outside the stadium. This happens the day before single-game tickets go on sale, usually in late February. It's a tradition that started in the 1990s. Fans wanted to be the first to get tickets for Opening Day. Since 2006, the Brewers have made it an official event. They even give waiting fans coffee, hot chocolate, and free lunch!

In Movies

American Family Field was a major filming spot for the movie Mr. 3000. This film is about a fictional Brewers baseball player.

Climate

Images for kids

• 

  American Family Field during construction on March 31, 2000. Milwaukee County Stadium is adjacent.

• 

  Exterior view showing retractable roof.

• 

  American Family Field in 2006.

• 

  American Family Field in 2009.

• 

  American Family Field panorama (August 20, 2013).

• 

  American Family Field with the roof closed in 2023.

• 

  Former logo as Miller Park

See Also

In Spanish: American Family Field para niños

• List of baseball parks in Milwaukee
• List of NCAA Division I baseball venues
• Teamwork, a memorial sculpture at the stadium
• Selig Monument, a sculpture in tribute to Bud Selig