Franklin Field

Left field line entrance to Franklin Field, Jul-2020.

Seating here is in a single level.

The view from behind the plate.

Chronological Tour: Stop 411

• Location: Ballpark Commons, Crystal Ridge Road, near the intersection of Loomis Road (WI 36) and Rawson Ave (CTH BB), Franklin, Wis. (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 2019 as Routine Field
• Additional names: Franklin Field (2020)
• Home team: Milwaukee Milkmen, American Association (2019-present)
• Capacity: 4,000

Rating: 3 baseballs

Apparently, the company behind the Routine name failed to make its sponsorship payments, and the name came off the park before the 2020 season. Just before that season, which was delayed and significantly altered because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city tourism department decided to sponsor the park itself, making it Franklin Field (absolutely no relation to the historic football stadium used by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, of course).

Fans enter the stadium from the left-field gate and have immediate access to the outfield berm as well as a party deck. There is another social gathering area beyond right field. Stadium seating is in a single deck, sadly without any cover as shelter from sun or rain, although the concourses are covered. The entire surface, including the pitcher's mound, is artificial turf.

Concession prices are reasonable from both the main stand behind the plate and the auxiliary stand beyond right center field. Unfortunately, the number of stands is limited; I am told that lines to buy concessions at crowded games can be three or four innings long.

There is no lineup board on the concourse; nor are there game-day programs, although that could be a casualty of the COVID-19 season during which I attended. Lineups for each team (though not the pitchers) are displayed on the video board during each half-inning. The PA announcing is done by two fellows who are roving the stands using wireless microphones; at the game I attended, the announcer failed to introduce the home team first baseman during the starting lineups. In addition, visiting team pitching changes were lost in the shuffle.

In concert with the Milkmen theme, home uniforms are white (although they do have pinstripes); vendors and the announcers wear white shirts with bow ties like milkmen of old; and the mascot, a cow named Bo Vine, wears the number 2%.