Miami Marlins Stadium Tour Series: Comerica Park

As for the ballpark itself, I can claim one visit; it was in July 2014, and was in a non-Marlins capacity.  The Tigers were playing the Indians, and I’m fairly sure the Tigers won by many, many runs.  When the Marlins aren’t playing on a road visit, I’m hardly in my seat, and instead eat and explore my way through what the new park has to offer.

Comerica is old by modern standards, completed back in 2000.  It holds up very well though, easily the crown jewel of a downtown area that is known for being perhaps a bit dilapidated.  It also sits right across from the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field; seriously, if you visit and feel a sudden spasm of “why did the Marlins trade Miggy” rage, you can probably hit Ford Field with a well-aimed hot dog.

The baselines and the backdrop are the main event in terms of in your seat, baseball watching appeal.  Seated comfortably inside the park, the Detroit skyline is a perfect backdrop for taking in our national pastime.  There isn’t a bad seat in the house, really. Plus the sightlines continue to rate high marks all along the main concourse, particularly in the outfield.  Ideal for when you want to walk off that stadium fare and position yourself to catch a Cabrera dinger.

Outside the park…well I will confess to specifically planning to see a day game.  Yet I’ll also cop to not having had the time to really explore the city, and that I have heard good things from multiple sources about a bit of a Detroit Renaissance.  Especially for the arts.  But I can understand if some fans are reticent to check this one off the ballpark bucket list for reasons stemming beyond the diamond.  All I can say on that score is that the area immediately around the stadiums looked pretty safe, with even the less expensive parking well within well trafficked and patrolled areas.  And it’s a day trip from a lot of other great destinations if want to make it a stadium only visit, and not a long weekend.

Now since this was during the 2014 season, metal detectors weren’t mandatory yet. Comerica had many, many metal detectors.

That was a bit unnerving.  Once inside though, any qualms over that are quickly washed away.  A huge amount of thought is given to making this a kid-friendly, baseball-lovers’ friendly fan experience.  Pitching and hitting cages are major attractions along the concourses, and the park makes sure you never forget the proud history this franchise enjoys.

Out of seventeen parks visited, It’s 12th on my list.