Photo by Gregory Harutunian
Opening Day 2023 Brice Turang scoring
Brewers' rookie Brice Turang crosses the plate after a fifth inning grand slam puts the team up 10-0.
The first signs are mists of smoke rising from the parking lots surrounding American Family Field, tinged with the scent of bratwursts being grilled. Shapes come into view, families and friends sitting on lawn chairs, around tables, tossing bean bags into the “cornhole,” and laughing.
Bill Veeck Jr. said it best: “There are only two seasons, winter and baseball.”
The April 3 home opener brought 42,017 people to the ballpark, not only to see a 10-0 drudging of the New York Mets with three former Brewers in their line-up but see what the organization had in store.
“Fireworks will be shooting out over the scoreboard again this year, we’re so excited to have that back,” said Tom Hecht, the vice president of consumer experience and entertainment. “The idea is to enhance the game day experience for our fans … and more the kids.”
Sunday Deals
Sundays will be perfect. The “Sunday Fun-Day Bundle” offers four terrace outfield tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and parking for $59. Kids can play catch, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Helfaer Field, near the main park entrance, where the original home plate area of the revered County Stadium sits. Kids are also invited to get an autograph, from 11:50 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., from a Brewers player or alumni.
“Brewers Sunday afternoon games have always been a popular gathering place for families and kids,” said Brewers president of baseball operations, Rick Schlesinger.
Photo by Gregory Harutunian
Opening Day 2023 flag
The American flag is unfurled across the field, during the home opener ceremonies.
New Concessions, Bigger Bases
Food concessions have been revamped with the “414 Menu” offering a junior hot dog, junior nachos, Cracker Jack, or a 16 oz. soda for $4 each at sites around the park. The J. Leinenkugel Barrel Yard has a space that features specialty beers brewed onsite.
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Other changes include ones to the game itself. The bases have gotten bigger, expanding to 18”. And there is the pitch clock: 20 seconds between pitches, timings for runners on base, and 2 minutes between outs. Those three changes seem to be the big ones.
“It’s going to be more exciting, reduce dead time, with pitch clocks behind home plate and the outfield,” said Hecht. “We actually did a dry run using the Brewers broadcast from Arizona (spring training), piped it through the system, just testing out, it’s all new for us. Timing the players’ walk-up music, this is a bit of learning curve for us too.
“The rules changes will appeal to kids, as they are the lifeblood, and the game has always been geared around families.”
American Family Field was built 23 years ago, with upgrades to 736 speakers.
Peralta Catches Fire
Photo by Gregory Harutunian
Freddy Peralta Opening Day 2023
Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta delivers the first pitch of the Brewers April 3 home opener.
Now, hear about the opener. Brewers’ pitcher Freddy Peralta walked the first two batters on nine pitches, one above the minimum. Both teams seemed sluggish through the first two innings, unable to score or mount any offense. In the third, Jesse Winker singled in a run, for a 1-0 Brewers lead.
Peralta suddenly caught fire in hitting the strike zone, and in the fourth, Brian Anderson sent a two-run shot to center field for a 3-0 Brewers lead. The Chick-Fil-A fourth inning gave up a free sandwich, but the fifth inning found the Brewers loading the bases with no outs and scoring at will.
Rookie Brice Turang capped the scoring by knocking a pitch into the right center field stands for a grand slam.
The pitch clock? Mets starter Carlos Carrasco was nailed for a violation in taking too long before even throwing his first pitch. In the top of the ninth, the Mets’ Mark Canha received a called strike for taking too long to set himself in the batter’s box, forcing a strikeout.
As Christian Yelich grabbed a hard liner in left field for the final out, rain was falling outside the closed roof. Happy fans left the stadium, whooping over the win and the possibility of a post-season berth for the team.
Jennifer Ashley also went for her car. “I can’t wait to come back…this was fun!”
