Amfam Field: Basketball's Best-Kept Secret

am fam field basketball

American Family Field, previously known as Miller Park, is a retractable-roof stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium opened in 2001 and features North America's only fan-shaped convertible roof. In addition to baseball, American Family Field has hosted other events, including basketball games and a screening of a documentary. The venue also offers indoor golf simulators and a team store for fans to enjoy.

Characteristics Values
Location Southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Construction One of the largest construction projects in Wisconsin history, built with $290 million of public funds
Funding Funded by a 0.1% sales tax on purchases in Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties: Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha
Opening Year 2001
Former Name Miller Park
Current Name American Family Field
Naming Rights Owned by Madison-based American Family Insurance
Roof Retractable, fan-shaped, and convertible
Grass Natural
Scoreboards LED
Seating Intimate proximity to the players
Merchandise The Brewers Team Store
Games Baseball, basketball
Golf Indoor golf simulator

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Basketball games hosted at Am Fam Field

On November 11, 2022, American Family Field, a retractable-roof stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hosted a basketball doubleheader called the "Brew City Battle." The event featured a men's and women's game, with the Wisconsin Badgers taking on the Stanford University Cardinal in the men's game and the Kansas State Wildcats in the women's game. The Badgers men's team emerged victorious with a score of 60-50, while their women's team fell to the Wildcats 63-77.

American Family Field, known for its unique fan-shaped convertible roof and natural grass playing surface, is typically a baseball stadium, serving as the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. However, it has also played host to other sporting events, such as basketball, and non-sporting events like the "Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation" in 2012, which included the premiere of the documentary "Honor Flight."

The stadium boasts a variety of attractions and amenities, including the Brewers Team Store, the I(G)LoveMKE photo opportunity, and the American Family Insurance concourse with its Protect the Plate game. The ballpark also features LED scoreboards that display scores from every Major League game that day and a field-level picnic area.

American Family Field has a rich construction history, with a controversial funding source and a tragic accident that delayed its opening. Initially funded through a sales tax, the project faced opposition due to the use of public funds for a privately-owned team. In 1999, a crane collapse during construction resulted in the deaths of three workers, pushing back the stadium's opening until 2001.

While primarily a baseball stadium, American Family Field has successfully hosted basketball games, providing a unique setting for the sport and offering a versatile venue for sporting events in the Milwaukee area.

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Am Fam Field's unique fan-shaped retractable roof

American Family Field, previously known as Miller Park, is a retractable-roof stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium features North America's only fan-shaped convertible roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes. The unique design of the roof sets American Family Field apart from any other ballpark in the world.

The construction of the stadium was one of the largest construction projects in Wisconsin history. It opened in 2001 at a cost of $392 million, with $290 million of public funds coming from a 0.1% sales tax. The stadium has a brick facade and an intimate proximity to the players, natural grass, and a unique configuration.

The fan-shaped retractable roof has had its complications. In 1999, a crane nicknamed "Big Blue" collapsed while lifting a 450-ton roof section, resulting in the deaths of three construction workers. Despite this incident, major elements of the pivot system and the outfield roof track have had to be replaced.

The stadium features various attractions, including the Brewers Team Store, where fans can shop for Brewers merchandise, and the I(G)LoveMKE photo opportunity near the Home Plate Gate. It also has two sets of LED scoreboards, showing the scores of every Major League game that day, and a field-level picnic area in the right-field corner. American Family Field has also hosted events other than baseball games, such as basketball games and movie premieres.

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Am Fam Field's construction and funding

American Family Field, previously known as Miller Park, is a baseball stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the home of the Milwaukee Brewers and opened in 2001, after four years of construction. The stadium features North America's only fan-shaped convertible roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes.

The construction of American Family Field was a significant project, costing $392 million. The funding for the stadium's construction came from a combination of public funds and private investments. Between 1996 and 2000, taxpayers paid $609 million towards the construction costs through higher sales taxes. The sales tax, which began on January 1, 1996, and ended on March 31, 2020, was applied to purchases in Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties: Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha. The tax was controversial due to the use of public funds for a privately-owned sports team.

The stadium was originally named Miller Park as part of a $40 million naming rights deal with Miller Brewing Company, which expired at the end of 2020. The new naming rights were purchased by Madison-based American Family Insurance in a 15-year deal.

In recent years, there has been a push for additional funding for repairs and renovations at American Family Field. A Brewers-commissioned study found that the total cost of necessary repairs was estimated at $428 million. Wisconsin lawmakers and Republican leaders have proposed using public funds to contribute to the repair costs, with the state offering to pay $400 million over the course of the lease, to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee through 2050. This proposal has sparked debates about the use of public funds for privately-owned entities, with some arguing that it is a better deal for taxpayers to have revenue generated at the stadium and keep the team in the state.

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Am Fam Field's attractions and amenities

Am Fam Field, formerly known as Miller Park, is a retractable-roof stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The stadium is home to Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers and boasts several attractions and amenities for visitors.

One of the most distinctive features of Am Fam Field is its fan-shaped retractable roof, the only one of its kind in North America. The roof can open and close in less than 10 minutes, and large panes of glass allow natural grass to grow on the field. The stadium also features LED scoreboards that show the scores of every Major League game that day, as well as a second-tier marquee scoreboard that displays statistics and open captions of announcements.

For those looking for interactive experiences, the stadium offers the Protect the Plate game, where visitors can test their batting skills and win Brewers merchandise. There is also an I(G)LoveMKE photo opportunity located near the Home Plate Gate, where fans can snap a picture with the best view outside the stadium and share it on social media.

In addition to baseball, Am Fam Field has hosted other sporting events, including basketball. On November 11, 2022, the University of Wisconsin Badgers hosted the "Brew City Battle," a basketball doubleheader featuring the Wisconsin Badgers men's and women's teams. The stadium has also hosted events such as the "Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation," which included the premiere of a documentary honouring World War II veterans.

Am Fam Field also offers a variety of amenities to enhance the fan experience. The Brewers Team Store allows fans to shop for Brewers merchandise, and there is a field-level picnic area in the right-field corner. The stadium has also hosted corporate events, and the X-Golf Indoor Golf Simulator is located within the stadium, offering a quiet and cool golfing experience with views of the baseball diamond.

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Am Fam Field's golf simulator

Am Fam Field is an indoor golf simulator located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The golf simulator offers a virtual golf course and driving range experience for players of all ages and levels. It features state-of-the-art technology, including camera systems, infrared lasers, impact sensors, and advanced gaming software, providing an immersive and realistic golfing experience. Each simulator bay can accommodate up to six people, making it a great option for groups and special events.

The facility is located within the American Family Field stadium, home of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. The stadium features a unique fan-shaped retractable roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes, and large panes of glass that allow natural grass to grow on the field. American Family Field is one of the largest construction projects in Wisconsin's history, with a total cost of $392 million, funded by a combination of public funds and private investments.

Am Fam Field offers game day rentals for $90 per sim per 80 minutes, which includes free club rentals. They also offer non-game day rates, where club sets can be rented for $10 per hour per sim, and there is an option to store your clubs onsite for a monthly fee of $10. The facility caters to both beginners and experienced golfers, providing PGA-certified experts and cutting-edge training technology for those seeking to improve their golf skills.

In addition to the golf simulator, American Family Field offers a variety of attractions and amenities. The stadium has LED scoreboards, a field-level picnic area, and the Brewers Team Store for merchandise. It also provides digital ticketing, mobile check-in, special offers, and exclusive content through the MLB Ballpark app. The stadium has hosted various events, including basketball games and a documentary premiere, showcasing its versatility as a multi-purpose venue.

Am Fam Field has received positive reviews for its golfing experience and customer service. It provides stunning views of the stadium and is an ideal venue for corporate events and parties. The golf pros, bartending crew, and catering team have been commended for their professionalism and hospitality. Overall, Am Fam Field offers a unique and enjoyable golf simulator experience, complemented by the convenience of additional amenities and the impressive architectural features of the American Family Field stadium.

Frequently asked questions

Am Fam Field is an indoor golf simulator located in a stadium. It offers a virtual golf course and driving range for players of all ages and levels.

Am Fam Field is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Am Fam Field has state-of-the-art technology, including camera systems, infrared lasers, impact sensors, and advanced gaming software. It also offers club rentals and game-day rentals for groups of up to six people.

Am Fam Field is also known as American Family Field. It is the ballpark of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers and was previously called Miller Park.

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