A few weeks ago on Live at Daybreak, Meteorologist Brian Gotter said it was his wish to push the button that opens the roof at Miller Park. A few hours later, the Brewers called and said they could make that wish come true, making him the first non-certified operator to push the button.
It's a part of Miller Park most people never get to see, until now.
Brian Gotter got exclusive access and is giving us a look at the high-tech secrets of the famous retractable roof.
The Miller Park roof is made up of five steel panels, covering 350,000 square feet, and weighing more than 24 million pounds. Moving at only a half mile per hour, it takes 10 minutes to completely open or close.
Mike Brockman is the roof supervisor for the Southeastern Wisconsin Professional Baseball District. We'll call him "The Roof Guy."
"I have been working at Miller Park since 1997 and up on the roof since 2001," he said. "This is my baby."
There is more to opening this huge roof than just pushing a button. Everything needs to be inspected before every move.
"The inspectors will come up and walk each of the five tracks as well as the boogies on the roof," Brockman said.
A total of four inspectors check the rails to make sure they are in good shape, clear of any obstructions, and then give the all clear to get things moving.
"So step one, turn on the monitors so we can see what we are doing," Brockman said.
The roof has 10 cameras on it, two cameras per panel, plus two behind home plate to see what is going on at all times. The computer tells us what the roof is doing, while the cameras verify.
"The next step, we are going to turn on the power to the roof," Brockman said.
Then the inspectors give the all clear saying, "Brian, we are ready to open."
3...2...1...
At the same time, the inspectors walk with the panels as they move to make sure they don't hear any strange noises.
"Alright everyone, this is Brian in roof control. Everything is locked and the roof is open. Thank you"
"Looks like we have ourselves a new roof operator when we need one," one inspector said.
Over the past 15 years, the roof has been moved roughly 3,500 times, but with the monthly maintenance and care, Brockman said it will outlast the building.
