Emily Balsley makes no secret of her love for the Milwaukee Brewers. She and her husband have season tickets, heading to American Family Insurance Field a dozen times a season to see the team play.
Last year, she designed a T-shirt to be given away at the Aug. 12, 2025 game, and even got to throw out the first pitch. Now, she’s turning that T-shirt design, called “Seventh Inning Stretch,” into a mural that’s being unveiled today at 2 p.m. at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg.
Balsley, who was on the City Cast Madison podcast in 2024 talking about the Chappell Roan-themed haunted house she helped create in the neighborhood, is an in-demand Madison artist. She’s created several other murals around town, and was artist-in-residence in the Madison Public Library’s Bubbler.
As she put the finishing touches on the mural last week, she talked about bringing her Brewers love to life:
Is this the same design as the T-shirt?
It’s the same design, just reformatted. The Brewers originally approached me to do a mural, but then we couldn’t find a wall in the area. Then the T-shirt opportunity came up. So I thought, let’s design the T-shirt, but make sure that the design coordinates with the eventual mural.
What was your inspiration for the design? Who are these people?
They’re just fans that I see myself when I go to games. Just kind of vibing with the crowd. You always make friends with the people around you. All the little moments that happen in the crowd.
I like the idea of putting a lot of details in it. Every time you come back, you might notice something new.
Madison artist Emily Balsley puts the finishing touches on her mural, “Seventh Inning Stretch,” in McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. (Rob Thomas / City Cast Madison)
Did you have anyone specific in mind for these people?
The person wearing the “Brew Crew” shirt is actually my likeness. I have that sweatshirt. And that’s my husband next to me. We always link arms and sing [“Take Me Out to the Ball Game”]. Interestingly, the two guys sitting next to us look like the two guys who sit next to us in our season tickets. Not intentional.
When did you start going to games?
I usually go to a handful every year. But since I’ve been working with the Brewers, it’s really excited our interest in going to actual games. I’ve always listened to them on the radio. One of my birthday presents this year was this old-school antenna radio. But going to the games has definitely picked up.
How long will this mural be up?
Maybe a couple of years? It’ll be here for a while. There will be a celebration for this on Aug. 17. Some Brewers people are going to come, I think a couple of mascots will be here. We’re going to be having some giveaways, including some of the T-shirts. They were only available at that game last year, so this is your chance.
