'It's exciting': Brewers fans flock to AmFam Field for postseason tailgating

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's been nearly three years since the Milwaukee Brewers last hosted a playoff game. It was a lot colder on that October day in 2018. But the Crew and their fans are back and feeling good about their chances to take this all the way -- one game at a time.

Outside American Family Field for game 1 of the NLDS on Friday, Oct. 8, it felt a little more like a mid-season game the middle of summer.

"Actually, it's funny. We brought the canopy because it was supposed to rain but we ended up putting it up because it's hot," said Lisa Rolfe, Brewers fan from Fond du Lac.

Fans were excited to experience playoff baseball in-person for the first time since 2018 -- an early exit in a 2019 Wild Card game and the COVID-19 pandemic prevented fans that opportunity.

"It's extra special because we're coming out of COVID, also the Milwaukee Bucks won a championship and so this is just a great time to be alive in Milwaukee," Yvonne Thomas of Milwaukee told CBS 58.

Parents also looked forward to sharing traditions with younger generations.

"We're super excited!," Emily Patterson said alongside her son Ben. "This is his first game this year, it's been a couple of years with the pandemic, but so excited to be back and cheer on the Brewers."

"Back in 1982 I came to the World Series with my dad and I was 10 years old," Victor Longoria of Burlington said. "Now I've got my 10-year-old son with me and my 16-year-old daughter and we're hoping that in the next couple of games we're coming back for the world series and enjoying that too."

The Brewers and Braves share ties in their franchise histories, something that fans appreciate.

"When I was a kid, my dad had season tickets, we went to all the Braves games, at least the day games because our parents worked at the time," Jim Peterson of West Allis said. "So I always had a place in my heart a little bit for the Braves, but not today."