Stadium countdown: Comerica Park perfect for Tigers

• Retro ballpark proves worthy successor to Tiger Stadium
• The move uptown was a significant improvement

Our series, "In the Ballpark," features a different stadium every week as we count down the major leagues' 30 parks from worst to best. Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com is the official tour guide, following the format he uses for the in-depth reviews that appear on his website, an affiliate of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties.

Mock has been reviewing and photographing ballparks over the last 15 years. He has visited 200 of the current 203 ballparks in use for the major leagues, spring training and the affiliated minor league teams. He is the author of Joe Mock's Ballpark Guide.

This week, we feature No. 19: Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers

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DETROIT — Any discussion of classic ballparks naturally includes Tiger Stadium, the home of big-league baseball in Detroit for 88 seasons.

A place has to be special to be dubbed "The Corner" by locals, a spot most fans of the sport know is the intersection of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues in the Corktown neighborhood in downtown.

During the last decade the Tigers called the stadium home, they were playing in a facility listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having received that designation in 1989.

After the team moved into Comerica Park in 2000, Tiger Stadium wasn't immediately torn down. Instead, it decayed as battles were waged over whether to maintain and restore all or even some of the stadium. Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell was quite vocal that at least some of the structure should be preserved and a museum housed there.

In 2008, however, demolition began. All that's left is a playing field and some of the iron fencing that once marked the perimeter of the stadium's footprint.

A mile to the northeast, Tigers fans enjoy the new ballpark immensely, immense being the operative word because it quickly became known as a pitcher-friendly park. So few balls were hit over the distant fences that it was nicknamed "Comerica National Park."

That changed in 2003 when the left-field wall was moved in, thereby making it 370 feet to left-center instead of 395. Of course, Tigers pitchers weren't given a vote on this action.

With fountains, statues and a spectacular view of Detroit's skyline, Comerica Park is seen by most fans as a worthy successor to Tiger Stadium. Let's take a closer look at the park's characteristics.

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SITE

The move uptown was a significant improvement. Ford Field, the home of the NFL's Lions, is right across Brush Street from the third-base entryway, and the famous Fox Theater is a block to the west.

Across the street from the right-field entrance is historic Grand Circus Park, appropriate because of the circus motif of tiger statues around Comerica Park's exterior.

The ballpark's location allows for a stunning skyline view. This perspective was made possible by having the park face the southeast; most MLB parks face to the north or northeast.

EXTERIOR

Very much a retro ballpark, Comerica has an exterior that beautifully incorporates light-colored masonry, exposed steel (painted dark green, of course) and glass. The entryways are no less stunning, with numerous concrete tigers and huge baseball bats.

INTERIOR

Like Tiger Stadium, Comerica achieves an intimacy that would seem to be difficult to pull off in a facility with 41,255 seats. Sightlines are excellent, and a center-field fountain and statues of all-time greats such as Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg and Al Kaline add to the appeal.

This is one 360-degree concourse you must walk. Don't miss the statue of beloved broadcaster Ernie Harwell near the main entrance.

Your kids will be drawn to the Big Cat carousel featuring, of course, tigers. It's behind the first-base stands. Behind third base is the popular Fly Ball Ferris Wheel.

FAN AMENITIES

During the final 13 seasons the team played at Tiger Stadium, it had crowds that topped 40,000 51 times. There have been 179 dates with crowds in excess of 40,000 during the 13 years they've played at Comerica, including 143 sellouts since 2007, which is particularly impressive when you consider the severity of the recession in Michigan during that period.

The Team Marketing Report for 2013 finds the average cost of attending a game in Detroit to be 6% below the overall MLB average, as 18 of the other 29 teams charge more than the Tigers.

There are three categories of games at Comerica. For "premium" games, upper box infield seats are $35; the least expensive ticket is $20. For "regular" games, it's $30 and $15. For "value" games, it's $26 and $12.

On July 9-10, fans can purchase a package that includes an upper box infield seat, a T-shirt, an adult value meal and a free ride on either the carousel or Ferris wheel for $35. Another popular date on the schedule is Aug.31, when the team pays tribute to Motown with giveaways and live music.

The team has upped its game when with concession items. New this year are deep-fried red-hot sausage ($6), bacon grilled cheese sandwich ($9), Cajun fried peanuts ($5), a "potacho" (potato nachos, $6) and bacon on a stick ($5).

THE FUTURE

Despite tough economic times in Detroit, attendance at Comerica Park has remained strong.

The Tigers have given no indication they'd prefer to play anywhere else.

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THE BASICS

Where: 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201

Architect: HOK (now called Populous)

Cost to build: $300 million

First MLB game: April 11, 2000

Capacity: 41,255

Ticket info: Call 866-668-4437, log onto Tigers.com/tickets or visit the stadium's ticket windows on the Witherell Street side of the park. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On game days, windows open at

10 a.m. and close half an hour after the end of the game.

Ticket price range: $12-$90. Note that games are designated as Premium, Regular and Value.

2012 average attendance: 37,383 (ninth in the majors)

Food favorite: Detroit Coney Dog

The Tigers are putting their city's name on this one, and it fits the bill. It's a hot dog topped with Detroit chili (a beanless version), mustard and chopped onion. It costs $5.50 at the Hot Dog Stand in the Big Cat Court. Also available in the Champions and Tiger Clubs.