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Residents of a Wisconsin neighborhood community have effectively sucked the fun out of the ballpark of local minor league baseball team, the Milwaukee Milkmen. The group imposed a noise rule just last week, making it impossible for attendees to cheer on the home squad.
That rule states that noise levels must be kept to 55 decibels, with a sensor tracking how loud the stadium gets. A violation could potentially result in a fine, though it hasn’t caused too much concern for the team owner.
“It’s a debate amongst friends,” Roc Foundation CEO Mike Zimmerman said. “I don’t think they’re going to arrest me [if the noise ordinance is violated].”
More from Kendall Keys of WISN 12 News:
Tonight’s the first game for the Milwaukee Milkmen…but fans and announcers will need to keep it down. The Franklin Common Council imposed new noise rules earlier this week, limiting decibel levels to 55db. It also banned post-game fireworks. pic.twitter.com/aiNH85n1K4
— Kendall Keys (@KendallKeysTV) May 10, 2024
According to Keys, that ordinance was passed Tuesday of this past week. The Milwaukee Milkmen opened their 2024 season the following Friday with a three-game set against the Kane County Cougars.
For reference, 55 dBs is about the noise level of your typical chit chat.
DecibelPro compared it to “the sound of a normal conversation or that of music playing in the background.” A running refrigerator or vacuum cleaner were also used as examples.
On the decibel scale, it is in the lower range.
As was noted by Mayor John Nelson, it’s an unattainable number for a sporting event.
“It’s a decades-old ordinance that I don’t think is realistic,” he said ahead of opening weekend at the ballpark.
Those in the neighboring community disagree.
“It is a fun place, they just need to keep the noise on their property,” one resident ordered. “I understand it’s a neat event, but to have it almost every other weekend – it’s excessive.”
Not only will fans and announcers have to keep their voices to a whisper during game action, but the ordinance also cut out some postgame fun experienced at nearly every minor league baseball stadium.
Friday night fireworks have been banned, as well, though Zimmerman believes he can overturn that restriction by season’s end.
“I think that’s temporary. I think we’ll have the fireworks.” -Mike Zimmerman
On opening night, however, the team got creative with a drone light show as an entertainment substitute.
Despite the impossible restrictions, it seems the team did a relatively good job at limiting the noise in the park. Check out the sights and sounds of opening night HERE, as well as neighborhood resident reactions.