Indians vs. Angels three-game series to be played at Miller Park in Milwaukee

[CleBrownsfan]

Has this ever been done before?

CLEVELAND -- Major League Baseball, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim today announced the three-game series between the Indians and Angels, scheduled to be played at Jacobs Field April 10-12, has been moved to Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis., due to poor playing conditions, player safety concerns, as well as fan comfort issues.
The Cleveland Indians will travel to Milwaukee, Wis., tonight in preparation for the three-game series (April 10-12), and return to Cleveland for a three-game weekend series against the Chicago White Sox that begins at Jacobs Field on Friday, April 13 at 7:05pm.

"Considering the combination of the playing field conditions at Jacobs Field, fan comfort issues and a concern about the integrity of the 162-game schedule, a change of venue for this three-game series is the most logical option," said Indians President PAUL DOLAN. "We would like to thank all involved, Major League Baseball, the ownership groups for both the Angels and Brewers, and the Players Association for their support during this unique situation."

The three-game series at Miller Park will be played as follows:

Tue., April 10 vs. LA Angels (7:05PM EDT, WTAM, IRN)
RHP Ervin Santana (1-0, 2.57) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (1-0, 4.50)

Wed., April 11 vs. LA Angels (7:05PM EDT, WTAM, IRN)
LHP Joe Saunders (0-0, 4.76) vs. RHP Jake Westbrook (0-0, 12.60)

Thu., April 12 vs. LA Angels (1:05PM EDT, WTAM, IRN)
RHP Dustin Moseley (1-0, 1.50) vs. LHP Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 3.00)

[lordscarlet]

I just find it amusing that Milwaukee has better weather conditions than Cleveland. :)

[BrianD]

I just find it amusing that Milwaukee has better weather conditions than Cleveland. :)

Milwaukee does have a dome, so that probably helps. I never understood how games could be played in April in the old Milwaukee stadium. I can't imagine playing baseball in snow is fun.

[lordscarlet]

Milwaukee does have a dome, so that probably helps. I never understood how games could be played in April in the old Milwaukee stadium. I can't imagine playing baseball in snow is fun.

This is why the seasons didn't used to start in March. :)

[BrianD]

dola

And there is precedence. The Indians from the movie Major League played in Milwaukee County Stadium.

[st.cronin]

I blame global warming.

[CleBrownsfan]

dola

And there is precedence. The Indians from the movie Major League played in Milwaukee County Stadium.

That's the first thing that came in mind when I heard that they're playing in Milwaukee :D

[samifan24]

I wish they moved this series to Anaheim since the attendance would be higher there. MLB will give the Tribe the home portion of gate receipts but I doubt that'll be much since this is going to be in Milwaukee.

[BrianD]

I wish they moved this series to Anaheim since the attendance would be higher there. MLB will give the Tribe the home portion of gate receipts but I doubt that'll be much since this is going to be in Milwaukee.

I'm assuming that Cleveland will be in Anaheim at least once during the season, so swapping the home series for the teams might make more sense.

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm assuming that Cleveland will be in Anaheim at least once during the season, so swapping the home series for the teams might make more sense.

Must be a traveling issue...

[gstelmack]

There was a concern because Anaheim plays in Boston on Friday, and they did not want to make them do a cross-country flight without a day off.

[JonInMiddleGA]

from the brewers website
General admission tickets will cost $10 apiece, and the Brewers plan to initially limit fans to Miller Park's field level, Brewers executive vice president Rick Schlesinger said in an e-mail. Tickets were to go on sale at Brewers.com and other outlets beginning at 2 p.m. CT. Parking will cost $8, and lots will open two hours prior to the first pitch each day. The Home Plate and Hot Corner (left field) gates will open one hour prior to the first pitch.

Tuesday's and Wednesday's games are scheduled to begin at 6:05 p.m. CT, and Thursday's finale will begin at 12:05 p.m. CT. Temperatures in Milwaukee are expected to hover around 40 degrees all week, but Miller Park's heating system allows officials to boost the inside temperature about 20 degrees.

[Ksyrup]

Temperatures in Milwaukee are expected to hover around 40 degrees all week, but Miller Park's heating system allows officials to boost the inside temperature about 20 degrees.

In that case, they should play this into a "Hawaii in April" promo to sell tickets. Sixty degrees will feel like the tropics to those people!

[Leonidas]

Why the hell does MLB insists on scheduling games in Cleveland this time of year? I swear this happens to Cleveland every season. Now they get screwed and lose home games. This is a team operating on the margin where the difference between drawing 2 million and 2.2 million is make or break financially.

[finketr]

I'm assuming that Cleveland will be in Anaheim at least once during the season, so swapping the home series for the teams might make more sense.

or, here's a thought... schedule the warm weather city in APRIL!!!!

[MrIllini]

dang, wish I could make it up to Milwaukee from here by 6:05 in rush hour traffic, would love to see the Tribe

[BrianD]

or, here's a thought... schedule the warm weather city in APRIL!!!!

I thought of that, but with the weather in the midwest, teams like Cleveland (and Milwaukee before the dome) would have to travel all of April and much of May. That doesn't seem like it would work very well. It would also give these teams a lot of home games late in the season which would seem like quite an advantage in the run to the playoffs.

[BrianD]

I should also add that there is a lot of construction going on in Milwaukee with many major sections of interstate highway being replaced. I wonder if this will cause problems with people trying to travel to see these games. Out of area fans aren't going to know the area and alternate routes as well as the locals. There are also many places in Milwaukee that you don't really want to being driving around blind in.

[wade moore]

I thought of that, but with the weather in the midwest, teams like Cleveland (and Milwaukee before the dome) would have to travel all of April and much of May. That doesn't seem like it would work very well. It would also give these teams a lot of home games late in the season which would seem like quite an advantage in the run to the playoffs.

I don't know how the logistics would end up, but maybe they only schedule midwest team home games against other midwest/northeast teams? So that at least the league doesn't look silly like this... if they were moving a cleveland vs. cincy game (i know, different leagues, but work with me) because of weather to milwaukee they just wouldn't look quite as silly.

[Fighter of Foo]

There are also many places in Milwaukee that you don't really want to being driving around blind in.

Off topic, but How many of these places really exist? Where I grew up you're talking about maybe two separate 6-10 block areas which are both fairly hard to accidentally wander into, notwithstanding the fact that you're in a car, not walking around on the street.

Personal pet peeve is all, but these type of fears are usually very, very exaggerated.

Carry on. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I wonder if this will cause problems with people trying to travel to see these games. Out of area fans aren't going to know the area and alternate routes as well as the locals.

I don't get the impression that's expected to be much of an issue (at least not with Cleveland-area fans). The Indians website highlights the process for exchanging the tickets for these games for future games in Cleveland while saying nothing that I could see about getting tickets for the games in Milwaukee.

[BrianD]

I don't know how the logistics would end up, but maybe they only schedule midwest team home games against other midwest/northeast teams? So that at least the league doesn't look silly like this... if they were moving a cleveland vs. cincy game (i know, different leagues, but work with me) because of weather to milwaukee they just wouldn't look quite as silly.

That would make some sense. I'd suggest the possibility of shortening the season and starting later in the year, but that would probably never fly. How old is Cleveland's stadium? I wonder if they will go to a removable roof at any point?

[wade moore]

That would make some sense. I'd suggest the possibility of shortening the season and starting later in the year, but that would probably never fly. How old is Cleveland's stadium? I wonder if they will go to a removable roof at any point?Seems somewhere between "never!" and "when hell freezes over!" that they shorten the season, but that's just my gut feeling.

I'm not much of a baseball fan, and much of it is the painfully long season - so I wouldn't complain about this, that's for sure.

[BrianD]

Off topic, but How many of these places really exist? Where I grew up you're talking about maybe two separate 6-10 block areas which are both fairly hard to accidentally wander into, notwithstanding the fact that you're in a car, not walking around on the street.

Personal pet peeve is all, but these type of fears are usually very, very exaggerated.

Carry on. :)

The problem in Milwaukee is that there aren't really good and bad neighborhoods. There are good and bad streets. Some of the worst crimes are on streets surrounded by some very nice areas, and some nice streets are surrounded by some very bad areas. It is generally not very clear when you have crossed those lines.

[lordscarlet]

Jacobs Field is 13 years old.

[sterlingice]

That would make some sense. I'd suggest the possibility of shortening the season and starting later in the year, but that would probably never fly. How old is Cleveland's stadium? I wonder if they will go to a removable roof at any point?

Bud Selig was on Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman's show today and that was what he would do, if it was his choice. But he also said the owners didn't want to give up gate revenues for the games missed. Frankly, the way the MLBPA always beats them silly, I can't say I blame them.

I thought of that, but with the weather in the midwest, teams like Cleveland (and Milwaukee before the dome) would have to travel all of April and much of May. That doesn't seem like it would work very well. It would also give these teams a lot of home games late in the season which would seem like quite an advantage in the run to the playoffs.

Exactly. That was what Selig and the ESPN guys were discussing. Also, the idea of starting the season later pushes the playoffs later into the year and that's an even worse idea. What do you want? A couple of early weather days on mundane games or start really risking playoff games due to weather?

SI

[samifan24]

Apparently the reason why they could not just move the series back to Anaheim is because the current CBA states that a West Coast team is required to have an off-day when traveling east for more than a single series. As such, the Players Association would have had to approve the move back to Anaheim, hence the shift to Milwaukee instead.

[BrianD]

Apparently the reason why they could not just move the series back to Anaheim is because the current CBA states that a West Coast team is required to have an off-day when traveling east for more than a single series. As such, the Players Association would have had to approve the move back to Anaheim, hence the shift to Milwaukee instead.

This may be a dumb question, but isn't a west coast team always traveling east for a road series? I suppose there are a couple of teams to the north or south, but the majority of the league would be east. Does a team like the Brewers get the same protection if they have to travel to play the Dodgers and then play the Reds right after?

[Chief Rum]

This may be a dumb question, but isn't a west coast team always traveling east for a road series? I suppose there are a couple of teams to the north or south, but the majority of the league would be east. Does a team like the Brewers get the same protection if they have to travel to play the Dodgers and then play the Reds right after?

I believe it's when they play East Coast teams only, and only right after being at home oron the West Coast(or teams in the Eastern Time Zone and further east, if any).

The reasoning we got out here in CA for not switching to Anaheim is because 24 hours is too short notice for season ticket holders to switch up. Fans who thought they were going to see the Indians-Angels at the Big A in May suddenly would have to find a way to clear their schedule on short notice for the next couple nights.

Also, the Angels, who have mostly sold out their stadium for the whole season already, have some 40,000-plus tickets already sold for at least two of the Indians games in May (in a stadium that seats around 45,000).

[lordscarlet]

Exactly. That was what Selig and the ESPN guys were discussing. Also, the idea of starting the season later pushes the playoffs later into the year and that's an even worse idea. What do you want? A couple of early weather days on mundane games or start really risking playoff games due to weather?

SI

No, I want them to go back to a reasonably lengthed season and post-season, start the season later, and still end the post season before November.

[BrianD]

I believe it's when they play East Coast teams only, and only right after being at home oron the West Coast(or teams in the Eastern Time Zone and further east, if any).

The reasoning we got out here in CA for not switching to Anaheim is because 24 hours is too short notice for season ticket holders to switch up. Fans who thought they were going to see the Indians-Angels at the Big A in May suddenly would have to find a way to clear their schedule on short notice for the next couple nights.

Also, the Angels, who have mostly sold out their stadium for the whole season already, have some 40,000-plus tickets already sold for at least two of the Indians games in May (in a stadium that seats around 45,000).

That all makes sense. It is always much more complicated than it first appears to be...

[lungs]

A better solution would be to have a roof on the stadium like Milwaukee does.

I can't believe Minnesota doesn't plan on building a roof. They can have fun with that. It's pretty nice for me to make the two hour drive to Milwaukee regardless of weather knowing there will still be a baseball game that night.

To hell with the costs, too :) That's what taxpayers are for.

[BrianD]

As it turns out, I will be going to Wednesday's game. $10 for field-level seats is pretty good. I'll have to double check to see if I have anybody from these teams on my fantasy team.

[Young Drachma]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2832830&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2

This is a good story about the first Indians v. Angels game in Milwaukee. Cool story.

I think that it's an interesting twist on interleague play. I realize it'll rarely ever happen, but, I kinda like it.

[lungs]

19,000 people showed.

That's pretty darned impressive considering many view Milwaukee as a horrible baseball city.

[Young Drachma]

I think that article proved that baseball when given back to ordinary fans is a pretty cool thing.

[Chief Rum]

I like that the crowd was fairly pro-Cleveland. That wasone thing I was concerned about with the switch, that it would strongly lessen or eliminate Cleveland's home field advantage, which they have every right to expect to have in all of their home games (normally). Not that home field in baseball is as significant as it is in other sports, but it has its effect.

[ISiddiqui]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2832830&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2

This is a good story about the first Indians v. Angels game in Milwaukee. Cool story.

I think that it's an interesting twist on interleague play. I realize it'll rarely ever happen, but, I kinda like it.

Wow... that's awesome. Thumbs up to Milwaukee!!

[sterlingice]

After 17K for the day game today, that's 52K for the series. Great turnout by Milwaukee for this series.

SI

[Mustang]

I like that the crowd was fairly pro-Cleveland. .

Doesn't surprise me given that I think Cleveland/Milwaukee probably have the same type of fans.

Plus you have the whole 'Major League Baseball' angle... (filmed at County Stadium)

[JonInMiddleGA]

After 17K for the day game today, that's 52K for the series. Great turnout by Milwaukee for this series.

That's also higher average attendance than the Marlins, D-Rays, and Royals at home last season.

[KWhit]

There was a concern because Anaheim plays in Boston on Friday, and they did not want to make them do a cross-country flight without a day off.


And instead they played 3 Indians HOME GAMES in Milwaukee.

Stupid. I don't care how many tickets they sold. It's dumb to take 3 home games away from a team.

It is like when the NO Saints played a home game against the NY Giants in New Jersey!

[Fighter of Foo]

That's also higher average attendance than the Marlins, D-Rays, and Royals at home last season.

All of those teams suck.

[sterlingice]

And instead they played 3 Indians HOME GAMES in Milwaukee.

Stupid. I don't care how many tickets they sold. It's dumb to take 3 home games away from a team.

It is like when the NO Saints played a home game against the NY Giants in New Jersey!

No, that would be if they moved that game to Anaheim as they were proposing. This was much better.

SI

[KWhit]

No, that would be if they moved that game to Anaheim as they were proposing. This was much better.

SI


No. Not much better. Slightly better, but it's still a non-home game that's counted as a home game in the schedule. The Indians get screwed (not that I care about the Indians, I just think it was a stupid decision).

[sterlingice]

No. Not much better. Slightly better, but it's still a non-home game that's counted as a home game in the schedule. The Indians get screwed (not that I care about the Indians, I just think it was a stupid decision).

I have yet to see the solution that *works in the current system* that was going to be better. Everyone can yell and scream about how the regular season should be shorter, there shouldn't be these travel restrictions, and so on, but that's just people bitching for the sake of bitching because those don't get the Angels and Indians a solution for this case.

SI

[MrBug708]

And instead they played 3 Indians HOME GAMES in Milwaukee.

Stupid. I don't care how many tickets they sold. It's dumb to take 3 home games away from a team.

It is like when the NO Saints played a home game against the NY Giants in New Jersey!

While Indian fans might have been upset about it, I think the Indians themselves (and Angels) probably had no interest in using their off days to fly to Cleveland on three separate occasions to play the series.