Comerica Park

Comerica Park has served as the home of the Detroit Tigers since the year 2000, and hasn't disappointed. The new ballpark replaced Tiger Stadium, which housed Tigers baseball for 87 years, and was loved by fans for its historicalness. But because the stadium was on its last legs, the Tigers jumped on the chance to build a new stadium when the City of Detroit revealed their plan to revitalize. Comerica Park was built along side the Detroit Lions' stadium Ford Field.

The contrast in ballparks was criticized among fans. Tiger Stadium was known for being hitter-friendly, while Comerica Park large outfield dimensions made the park too large for hitters, even Juan Gonzalez, who averaged 37 homeruns between 1991-'99. The Tigers had just acquired Gonzalez in a trade before the 2000 season. Gonzalez has his worst offensive performance that year, and told the Tigers that if they wanted to resign him, they would have to bring the fences in. They figured trading him would cost less money, so they tried to deal him to the Yankees. Gonzalez, however, refused to play in New York so the deal fell through. Gonzalez turned back to normal form the next season when he signed with the Cleveland Indians.


Interestingly enough, they moved the fences in anyway before the 2003 season in order to boost their teams offensive production.  They filled in the right field bullpen with seats, and moved both bullpens to left field, making a wall-before-the-wall, which would decrease the distance from left field from 395 to 370. This does make the field look a little bit "makeshift" in a way.

A great thing about Comerica Park is that once you enter, you'll know what ballpark you're in. The scoreboard has the word "TIGERS" labeled across the top, and the stadium is scattered with statues of Tigers all over the ballpark. A great part about the ballpark is its scenery, as you can see straight into the Financial District of Downtown Detroit. Another feature of Comerica park is the strip of dirt that runs from the pitchers mound to home plate. This used to be very common, but now only Chase Field in Phoenix is the only other ballpark with the feature. The field also has a batters eye so the hitters cannot get distracted while receiving the pitch. The dirt area around home plate, actually is shaped like home plate, a contrast from every other ballpark that has a circle of dirt around home plate.

Comerica Park also seats over 41,000 fans to accommodate large crowds coming in order to see their star pitcher Justin Verlander, along with sluggers Miguel Cabrera, and the newly signed Prince Fielder. Comerica Park will surely seem small now thanks to this trio.

When opened in 2012, Comerica will reveal the renovations one in the offseason. These will include the renovation of the left field scoreboard. Comerica Park will also host fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays, the cherry on top for baseball fans. After every homerun a tiger roar will be heard to enhance the excitement of the fans.

Especially in 2012, Comerica Park will be a great place to visit for both watching games and walking about the stadium. It is certainly not the best ballpark, because it is not very well-known, but Comerica Park is certainly a place worth visiting for any fan.

Next Weeks Edition of Ballpark Guide: Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI