Brewers' cribbage board giveaway is a nod to Wisconsin tradition

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Move over bobbleheads – the Milwaukee Brewers are handing out something a little more old-school this weekend.

On Saturday, May 17, fans at American Family Field will receive a custom Brewers cribbage board. The card game with the wooden board, tiny pegs and a language of its own. Here in Wisconsin, it’s more than just a game – it’s part of the culture.

“There’s been a lot of social media buzz and a lot of attention,” said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers President of business operations. “It’s become a little bit of a craze, which is great.”

Cribbage has caught on in the Brewers Clubhouse too. CBS 58 caught up with Brewers Broadcaster Jeff Levering before the team took on the Guardians in Cleveland, OH.

He says he picked up the game in 2023 and it’s become a regular part of life around the team.

“Vinny Rottino – who I do games with on TV – every time we work together, we play a game,” Levering said. “We just finished one, and I got him.”

And they’re not alone.

“You’d be surprised at how many guys in the clubhouse are playing cribbage,” Levering said.

The love of the game extends far beyond the ballpark. At Black Husky Brewing in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood, a cribbage board is as common as a pint glass.

“If you get out of the rural areas, every single small bar is going to have one,” said Tim Eichinger, Black Husky’s co-owner. “We’ve got five or six behind the bar.”

He learned the game the way many Wisconsinites did–from family.

In his case, his wife’s grandmother.

Cribbage is easy enough to pick up, but it comes with its own rhythm, strategies and quirks. Players often rattle off phrases like “fifteen-two, fifteen-four" as they race pegs around the board, typically with a cold one not far away.

“It feels very ‘sitting at the lake, having a beverage, hanging out with your family,’” Levering said.

For him, the game has also created special moments off the air.

One year, his son decided to build a cribbage board from scratch as a Christmas gift for his grandparents.

“So, we went to Home Depot, got a 2x4, sanded it down, drilled the holes...he designed the board and it turned out really great,” Levering said.

That’s the kind of connection the Brewers are hoping to celebrate with Saturday’s giveaway. A game that crosses generations, connects families and now, brings a little friendly competition to the ballpark.

Planning to go? Schlesinger has a tip for fans who want to beat the crowds and make sure they get a board:

“I recommend Go-Ahead Entry,” he said. “It’s a facial authentication service where fans can download a selfie into the Ballpark app and expedite their entry. It’s becoming more popular. I would recommend doing it anyway, but in particular, if you want to avoid some of the lines — register for Go-Ahead. It takes about 20 seconds on your phone to do in advance.”

The first pitch is at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The boards go to the first 25,000 fans and judging by the buzz, they won’t last long.