American Family Field, Baseball stadium in Milwaukee, United States
American Family Field is a baseball stadium in Milwaukee whose fan-shaped convertible roof, the only one of its kind in North America, opens or closes in under ten minutes. Seven roof panels ride on bogies replaced in 2006 at a cost of over $13 million. Glass panes let natural grass grow, and a green ribbon board runs along the seating tiers.
The ballpark opened in 2001 after construction delays caused by a crane accident that killed three workers. The facility replaced the old County Stadium and was designed to allow baseball games despite changeable weather.
After the sixth inning, four runners in sausage costumes race along the warning track, a nod to Milwaukee's German immigrants; fans guess the winner. The winner's name is posted on the scoreboard. The mascot Bernie Brewer slides down a slide behind left field after each Brewers home run, when the phrase "Get Up, Get Up, Get Outta Here, Gone!" lights up.
The venue holds about 42,000 spectators and is accessible through several entrances that lead to different levels. Visitors should allow time to find their way through the long walkways, especially during well-attended games.
The fan-shaped roof is the only one of its kind in North America and can open or close in under ten minutes. The stadium opened in 2001 at a cost of $392 million, and a 0.1% sales tax in Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties raised $609 million toward it through 2020.
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