The Milwaukee Brewers, like any professional sports team, have a list of prohibited items, should you think about spending a day at the ballpark. With thousands of people looking for a good time at Miller Park, there will always be a few newcomers that just need to know what they can and can’t bring into the venue. To help fans enjoy that good time, we offer the following “Rules of Conduct and Carry In” information for you. Below is a short summary of that list.
Alcohol – Alcohol is available for purchase inside the ballpark, but fans are not allowed to bring it in. This is Wisconsin, and we’re known to imbibe with the best of them. Heck, we have the best tailgating in the country, and part of that stems from the fact that we (used to) make most of the beer that is consumed in this great land. Nobody is stopping you from tippling before the game. You just have to finish your “brewski” before you walk through the gates. What kind drinks can one obtain inside Miller Park? The alcohol sold within the stadium varies, depending on what section you are sitting in, and what levels you happen to be on. Can you get hard liquor? There are a few areas designated for such drinks. The vendors that roam the stands will sell mostly beer and possibly malt-liquor based beverages. With all the tailgating that takes place prior to the games, it’s best that hard liquor is found in limited quantities inside the ballpark. There is no need to try to sneak in that home brew you whipped up just before the game. They have you covered.
Brooms/Broomsticks – “Sweeping the broom” during a playoff series, in which one teams sweeps the other, is a very common theme in baseball. However during the regular season (and in the playoffs,) it is a big “no no” to bring along your O-Cedar from your kitchen closet. Some people prefer to create a sign or banner that might include a picture of a broom as part of the artsy mix. Banners are allowed, as long as they are not offensive, nor can the banner interfere with the game, or obstruct views.
Hard Sided Coolers/Snack Containers – Light sided coolers and containers are allowed, but they are restricted in size. The largest cooler allowed can be no bigger than 16X16X8. You can expect that cooler or bag to be inspected. If you have to ask why, see the rule on alcohol listed above.
Glass Containers – We find it pretty obvious as to why you cannot bring glass containers into the ballpark. Glass is dangerous. Glass items can break, and we don’t want anyone getting hurt at the old ballpark. If your liquids are in plastic, as they should be, they must also be sealed from the point of manufacture. Even if your mom makes the best lemonade in the world, you need to leave it behind. Keep the lemonade in your car for post-game tailgating.
Laser Pointers – Why would someone bring a laser pointer to the ballpark? To distract a player? That’s the last thing we need to see. Something like the following could easily occur: “Braun steps back up to the plate, swings at the pitch, oh no, strike three, game over. Wait a minute; someone seems to have blinded him with a laser pointer. That’s probably going to keep Braun from playing in the next series.” Laser pointers at sporting events are not fun. In fact, they are dangerous, and they just might get you removed from the game, possibly for life! Let’s all keep those pesky laser pointers at home, were they are best reserved for distracting your cat.
Noise Makers – We have all heard about those professional sports teams that encourage people to bring a cowbell to the next home game. You are probably thinking Admirals hockey at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. We’re talking about baseball, at Miller Park. Keep that cowbell tied to “Bessie” and don’t even think about dragging along that big, plastic vuvuzela you saved from the 2010 World Cup. This is not World Cup Soccer. This is the most treasured sport in America, and we don’t use noisemakers. We use our loud voices and clapping hands. Like anyone is really going to hear a noise maker in a crowd of 40,000 people? “Accessory free” cheering is much more fun anyway.
Throwing items – Throwing something onto the field or in the stands is probably the quickest way to get booted from Miller Park. First, if you actually think that someone won’t see you do it, you must think that you are invisible. In your section alone, there might be 500 Brewers fans, eyes wide open, all watching out for foul balls. Tossing that plastic cup after a bad call from the umpire will be witnessed by dozens of people, including security. Brewers fans come to watch Yovani Gallardo pitch, not you. And finally, you can’t bring a baseball into a baseball stadium. It’s an interesting rule, and completely understandable.
Weapons – No weapons allowed. It’s a day of baseball, not weapons. You’ll be safe, because nobody else has a weapon at Miller Park. The worst thing that can happen at the ballgame is that you end up with condiments on your worn out Robin Yount jersey. The one that you still insist on wearing, even though your wife has told you a thousand times that you just don’t fit in it anymore.
So there you have it, our carry-in essentials for Miller Park. We may not have a complete list here, but we covered the important ones. Now get on out there and enjoy the game!
