MILWAUKEE — President Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch as Miller Park formally opens tonight with a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

MILLER PARK

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Special Section

        Rain is forecast for the first evening opener in the Brewers' 31-year history — not that fans have to worry about the weather. The crowning feature of the nearly $400 million stadium is a distinctive, seven-paneled roof that will be closed when the doors open.

        The Brewers tested things with two exhibition games last week before opening the season in Los Angeles.

        “It was important to get home and see the yard, take the curiosity out of the equation, get the butterflies out of our systems,” center fielder Jeffrey Hammonds said. “How is this park going to play? Can we see? Are the fans going to come out? So, we know all that now.”

        The roof, which sprung leaks during a storm following the second game, was sealed and passed a test when fire hoses were blasted onto the newly finished gutters and flashing.

        The final signage was put in place and the dugouts and railings touched up with green paint.

        The Brewers' relievers decided the visitor's bullpen was roomier, so they switched from right-center field to left-center, where they can get a good view of home runs that clear the power alley, 370 feet from home plate.

        Giant posters of Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, Rollie Fingers and Paul Molitor were hung in the atrium of the four-tiered, 42,500-seat stadium.

        On Thursday, statues of Aaron and Yount were unveiled on the home plate plaza out front.

        “Aaron and Yount are two names that all fans think of most when you mention baseball in Wisconsin,” said commissioner Bud Selig, whose family controls the team.

        Aaron and Yount helped Selig lobby state lawmakers in 1995 to build the Brewers their new ballpark, which has allowed the team to increase payroll and sign young sluggers Richie Sexson and Geoff Jenkins to long-term contracts.

        The Brewers have two lofty goals this season: to attract 3 million fans and to finished with a winning record for the first time since 1992.

        “This stadium is gorgeous,” Hammonds said. “It makes you excited to come out here.”

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