Ballpark Roadtrip: Comerica Park

Comerica Park primarily serves as the home for the Detroit Tigers, who moved to the new venue in 2000. Comerica is the third home for the Tigers since becoming a charter member of the American League in 1901. The team previously played in Tiger Stadium (1912-1999) and Bennett Park (1901-1911). The club was founded in 1894 as part of the Western League.

The ushers, many of whom used to work at Tiger Stadium, are friendly - even to fans wearing Mets gear, like myself. Several ushers suggested other attractions in the area to see and thanked me for coming.

Names and numbers are painted on the brick walls on both sides of the ivy-covered batters eye in center field. The most recent addition to Comerica was former manager Sparky Anderson.

The stadium also includes many baseball-themed features, including a "Monument Park" (similar to that of Yankee Stadium) in the deep center field stands, complete with statues of former Tigers Hal Newhouser, Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Al Kaline, and Willie Horton.

There are approximately 23,000 seats in the lower bowl of Comerica Park and 2,000 in the two suite levels. There are roughly 11,000 in the main upper deck.

Touring the main concourse, fans are taken through time on a tour of baseball and Detroit history. The concourse is divided into different eras from the 20th century, and as the fan progresses through the walk, they move into a different time frame of history. The displays are in the center of the concourse mounted on car tires.

Fans stand along the outfield walls seeking autographs from players. Crowds gather about two hours before game time. Cabrera, Ordonez and Verlander seem to be fan favorites as many fans wore their names and numbers on shirts and jerseys.

The "tiger with bat" design decorates the seats throughout Comerica. Despite the nice touches in the stadium, the team doesn't have a Hall of Fame museum, which was disappointing because of the Tigers' storied history. Tours of Comerica Park are available only on Tuesdays and Thursday when the Tigers are on the road.

With no upper deck outfield seats, no ballpark offers a better view of a downtown skyline than Comerica Park.

Paws is the official mascot of Tigers. While he's not seen much during the course of the game, Paws is always on the Tigers' dugout during the 7th inning stretch waving a team banner.

Comerica Park concourses — Gordon Donovan/CBS

The wide concourses are filled with food and merchandise vendors. Food choices include traditional ballpark fare as well as several restaurants that include Little Caesars, Big Cat Court, the Brushfire Grill and the Labatt Blue Light Grill.

Comerica Park bullpen — Gordon Donovan/CBS

Before the 2003 season, the club moved the distance from left-center field from 395 to 370 feet. The bullpens were moved from right field to an empty area in left field created when the fence was moved in. The team removed the flagpole from the field of play, originally incorporated as an homage to Tiger Stadium.

Comerica Park scoreboard — Gordon Donovan/CBS

Comerica Park features a main scoreboard that is one of the largest in baseball. The ballpark now seats 41,782 fans and, with standing room, at least 45,010.

Comerica Park merry-go-round — Gordon Donovan/CBS

In the middle of the food court, a merry-go-round is available for the young and young-at-heart, with patrons riding atop tigers instead of horses.

Comerica Park Pepsi Porch — Gordon Donovan/CBS

The Pepsi Porch in right field is a great area to watch the game and is host to The Labatt Blue Light Jungle. The food Offerings: pulled pork sandwich, bacon cheeseburger, chicken wings, chicken pita, smoked beef brisket sandwich, Michigan salad, Tiger chili, garlic fries, hummus plate, nachos, desserts, soda, bottled water, beer and a full bar.

Mets win in Comerica Park — Gordon Donovan/CBS

New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Detroit Tigers 16-9 in a game that lasted almost four hours at Comerica Park. Many fans left the game before the three-hour mark.

Comerica Park infield — Gordon Donovan/CBS

The Tigers' grounds crew prepares the field prior to the start of the game. The cut grass surrounding home plate is shaped like home plate. Comerica is one of two parks with a throwback dirt path between the pitchers mound and home plate.

Comerica Park gates — Gordon Donovan/CBS

There are three main gated entrances to Comerica Park, each featuring attractions on a grand scale. Among the features are 80-foot high baseball bats framing the gates, tiger sculptures, and Pewabic tile accents.

Comerica Park dragon flies — Gordon Donovan/CBS

Some cities have gnats that attack players of the opposition; here a dragon fly sits on top of a Tigers' fan cap. Many dragon flies visited the ballpark after dark and found refuge under the bright lights of the ballpark.

Comerica Park dugout — Gordon Donovan/CBS

A ball and glove sit on top of the visitors dugout at Comerica Park.

The Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera swings and connects for his second home run of the game off the New York Mets. Whenever the Tigers score a run, the sound of a tiger growling is played through the public address system.

Detroit Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander unleashes a pitch that has made him an all-star three times in his career. Verlander shut down a Mets' offense which had scored 30 runs in the previous games as the Tigers won 5-2.

New York Mets' Jose Reyes dives back into first as the Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera applies the tag.

Ballpark: A Great views of field and downtown Detroit from any seat. No tours available for visitors while team is town.
Fans & Atmosphere: B Sat with fans over two games that were not the most knowledgeable baseball fans. A few Detroit residents only root for the Red Wings.
Food: B Food choices include traditional ballpark fare as well as several restaurants that include Little Caesars, Big Cat Court, the Brushfire Grill and the Labatt Blue Light Grill.
Mascot: B Paws, he's cute but not that exciting.
Staff: A Friendly staff, several members came over and asked if I was visiting from out of town.
Team Tradition: A Beautiful monuments and names and numbers of former stars fill outfield. No Hall of Fame but a walk of fame displaying teams