What Makes a Ballpark 'Ugly'?
I’m not sure that I understand what it is that makes a ballpark ugly. A true baseball fan, someone who whiles away more than a few summer afternoons attending a game, would tell you it’s about the angle and sight lines. Having sat through a game at old Tiger Stadium behind a three-foot cement pole, I can see his point, but surely there is more to the concept!
That same baseball fan would complain that an ugly park is boring, has no character to its design. A cookie-cutter, symmetrical design just isn’t interesting, he would explain. After all, the vertical seating is too restrictive, like being in an enormous concrete cup, and a perfectly symmetrical ballpark doesn’t allow for any interesting variations that affect the play.
Okay...whatever.
For me, it’s the food, parking and entertainment that affect how I perceive a ballpark.
So how does the Comerica Park experience measure up compared to other ballparks? For both the true baseball fan and those more interested in the epicurean choices, the answer is very well. Comerica is an attractive ballpark that provides a unique, pleasing design and a great baseball experience.
Comerica Park Turns Heads
In short, a day at Comerica feels like summer. Far from the seating being constrictive and closed in, Comerica is more of a shallow bowl, allowing for a breeze and a clear view of not only the game but the surroundings. You’re in downtown, after all, and the Detroit skyline is a beautiful backdrop as your eyes follow the arc of a fly ball. (See, I can talk the lingo.) As the ball falls, you’ll notice the fountain, brick façade of the stadium and statues of baseball greats lining left field. These make for nice, even “pretty” touches in an otherwise impressive park.
The accessories are top notch as well. For instance, parking is close and abundant. With all the freeways converging in the area, getting in and out of downtown is easy as well. Best of all, the food and drink is positively flowing. In addition to the roving concessionaires delivering hot dogs and beer to your seat, the food concourse area buttresses the entire horseshoe of seating with food options that include a daiquiri bar, two sit-down restaurants and McDonalds. Of course, there are the traditional offerings as well, such as hot pretzels, ice cream, popcorn, sausages and, because Tigers owner Mike Ilitch owns Little Caesars, pizza. Since the food concourse is open to the interior of the stadium, you don't have to miss any action when you go for food. It is also light, airy and a good place to hang out if you have...cough...lost interest in the game.
And maybe that’s the other thing that makes Comerica a ballpark that turns heads: it is an entertainment complex unto itself. In spite of the Tigers playing in the World Series last year, not everyone attending the game will be following it for the whole nine innings. Comerica provides for this type of “fan.” For one thing, Comerica remembers the little people, providing rides and entertainment for the kids, including a carousel and batting cage.
Like summer, however, there are parts of the experience at Comerica that can be a little uncomfortable. For instance, there is very little shade, so it can get pretty hot during a day game. And because of the Tigers' recent American League Pennant victory, the stadium is pretty crowded and available/desirable seats are limited.
All in all, though, I recommend the experience. Comerica Park is beautiful.
