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April 2, 2008 2:18 PM

COMMENT

The more I think about this, the more I like it. I really like it. It's almost perfect.

If the team really is going to name the ballpark Land O' Lakes Field (or "Park" -- second best option, I think), it will be among the classiest names in sports. It ties smartly to the city, the state, the character of the region & team, and it is a corporate entity who is at least not among the soulless (and whose butter makes the best shortbread imaginable).

Best of all, it doesn't quite sound like a corporate name. It's a name you might actually choose even if there weren't a company paying you to do so (unlike, say, "U. S. Cellular Field" or "Citizens Bank Park" or about a dozen others I could name).

After watching many teams fumble so many aspects of ballpark building in the last 15 years, I started this blog with a fear that the Twins were at risk of falling down all the same traps (especially with HOK manning the engine room). But if that's the name they put on the beautiful ballpark they're building, they will have successfully avoided one of the worst pitfalls. I say, bravo! -- if it turns out to be true, of course.

Squat

Rational Actor has a good point in a comment to my previous post. Anybody trying to cash in on the naming of the ballpark by registering domains that the team might want later will find themselves rudely awakened. Cybersquatting is against the law, and the team could bring legal action against anyone who did such a thing. That means you won't make a dime, and you'll probably have to pay a lawyer. It's NOT a good idea.

But that makes the registration of landolakesfield.com and landolakespark.com by the team that much more interesting. Alex B. correctly points out that corporate entities often buy up many possible domains while contemplating branding decisions. So the next step in the detective work would be to locate all the domains registered to the team. Anybody know how to do that? (I don't think such a search of the whois database is publicly available, but maybe there are private entities...)

For the record, I own KillebrewField.com, and it's pointed to this site. It's not cybersquatting if there's no chance in hell that the team will select the name you registered... And I mean no disrespect to Harmon, of course. If he wants that domain someday for something, of course he can have it. I'll admit, however, that "Killebrew Field at Land O' Lakes Park" also has quite a nice ring to it!

Other Stuff

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press reports that Delaware North will be getting the concession gig:

Look for Delaware North soon to be named concessionaire for the Twins' new ballpark, scheduled to open in 2010. Delaware North is concessionaire for Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Progressive Field in Cleveland, Comerica Park in Detroit and Petco Park in San Diego.

If you're in the Elk River area, you can hear Dave St. Peter talk ballpark next Wednesday at the American Legion. More info here.

Comments

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thanks for the tip, rick. i'm going to the american legion event here in ERiv. i'll ask about landolakespark.com and how it's registered to the twins. i'll post dsp's response. can't wait!

Posted on April 2, 2008 at 5:37 PM by yeahklye 1

Thank god for Delaware North!!! No more Volume Services/Centerplate after next season!!!

Posted on April 2, 2008 at 8:19 PM by Luke H. 2

So you purchased killebrewfield.com just to say you own it? That doesn't make any sense. Don't be a hater on those who were thinking ahead and purchased some great domain names.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 07:33 AM by Jon Doe 3

Had a chance to get my season ticket orientation yesterday, and picked up on a few details, some which may be new, confirming others: the scoreboard will not be purchased until 2010, ensuring that it is of the most up-to-date technology; there WILL be firepits at the LF patio; the slats on the outside of the ballpark will act as "venetian blinds", so that they can be opened on nice days, and closed on crappy days. This is to keep it as 'open air' as possible for the concourses; there will be bleacher seating in LF; the canopy will have the lights built in, allowing them to include other lighting schemes (blue, red, etc.) to change the canopy color. The only standalone lighting fixture will be on top of the scoreboard in CF; the park WILL host some concerts and events, but only select big name shows; and finally, there will NOT be heated seats, but they MAY install misters (not uncommon at some parks) from the overhangs.

Anyway, it was very exciting being at their office and seeing the model. It seems everything is really coming together nicely.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 08:11 AM by Paul 4

Originally, I considered calling this blog Killebrew Field, but decided that would be unwise for a variety of reasons. I also registered, but passed on using, BallparkGeek.com and a couple others.

I believe the Twins when they say they've registered a bunch of possible names. But many of the other likely possibilities appear to be registered to other people, leaving only less likely names for them to register. Anybody got a solution for finding other domains they've registered (other than paying $99 to some domain search service, that is)?

And I'm not a hater, just a noter/warner. Could John Doe be...Derek?

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 09:15 AM by Rick 5

Rick,

According the research I've done traces a number of the names to a Derek Pettis. I'm attempting to get in touch with him to discuss his ownership, so look for a follow up column on SBG Nation if I can get in touch with him.

The Shooter column mentioned three names, two of which are registered to Mr. Pettis. The third is owned by 3M Corporation itself.

One question I'm asking is exactly how much leeway the Twins have in registering domains which contain trademarked names of other companies. Seems that the intellectual property and cybersquatting laws that apply to regular citizens should apply to the Twins as well, but I'm not a lawyer by vocation.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 09:39 AM by CarterHayes 6

so there will be bleacher seating? we're getting different answers to that question. if you confirmed that in the project office, that's good to hear. everybody can calm down about that now.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 09:44 AM by Tim 7

Carter, I'd imagine the Twins are in negotiations with various companies for the naming rights, and if there's even a modicum of interest, I think it would be easy to agree on purchasing some domain names. If the Twins are in negotiations with 3 companies, the first thing I'd do would be to brainstorm some names and get their permission to register some domains - cover all your bases (pardon the phrase).

Anyway you slice it, however, the aggrieved party would have to sue the Twins to get the name. Why would Land O Lakes sue the Twins to get the domain name for the ballpark naming rights that they're going to pay the Twins a lot of money for? Also, I don't think registering those domains is a problem - squatting and trying to extort money out of them is what's illegal. If the Twins register Land O Lakes Park and Best Buy gets the naming rights, then Land O Lakes will only sue if they a) want that domain for something else, or b) can't get the Twins to just give it to them.

Now, if a third party is involved, that's a different situation.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 10:33 AM by Alex B. 8

I believe Alex is right on. The Twins are registering those domain names with the intention of using them if/when a deal with the company who owns those trademarks and tradenames is actually completed. It seems to me that would not meet the "bad faith" requirement of the cybersquatting laws, because presumably the Twins would be doing it for both parties' benefit.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM by The Rational Actor 9

Hey Jon Doe, if you are going to talk smack, have the twigs and berries put your name behind it. Also don't know if you got the memo but nobody has used the term "Don't be a hater " for at least 5 years.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 10:58 AM by dain 10

I'm not this Derek guy you're talking about. I just think it was a great idea for him to buy up some domain names knowing that were getting a couple new stadiums in MN. I wish I would have thought of it! My name really is Jon. Thanks

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 11:34 AM by Jon 11

Jon,

Thanks for introducing yourself and welcome to the site.

Rational Actor's original point is the same one I'm trying to amplify:

Registering domain names that you do not intend to use with the hope that you'll be able to sell them later may sound like a good idea, but it's illegal if it infringes on someone else's intellectual property. It's extortion, and is actually a federal crime. There is a law against it. You could get prosecuted or sued and have quite a legal mess.

So if Derek was hoping to get some cash out of the Twins or Best Buy later, he won't. He won't go to jail, but he might have to hire a lawyer to get everything cleaned up if, in fact, Best Buy objects to him holding a domain name which contains their corporate identity. (I don't think the Twins would have much of a claim unless it turns out that they do want to use that name for the ballpark.)

Of course, nobody may ever care, in which case no harm done. But Derek has taken a risk, and it's not really a good risk to take...

And like I said, if Harmon objects to me having a domain with his name in it, I'm not looking for money. He could have it in a heartbeat. I did not register it with the intent of trying to sell it later. I wouldn't ask for or accept any money from him (and I already have a pretty cool autograph from him, as well as a great close encounter story). I thought I might use it, and then decided against it. (I haven't decided whether I'll renew it, but I may because it could make a nice entry point to a tribute page.)

Hope this clarifies.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 2:25 PM by Rick 12

Hi, all - As the executive director of public affairs for the Twins, I love the discussion, speculation and interest in our new ballpark. Just know that we do NOT have a naming rights deal in place with Land O' Lakes or any other company out there. Look for that by the end of 2008. In the meantime, have fun around the water cooler percolating your thoughts!

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 7:17 PM by Kevin 13

Thanks for the update Kevin. As you can tell, we are all very passionate about making sure the Twins do the right thing with Land O' Lakes Field....I mean the new ballpark :) Please let Laura Day know that we do not want our ballpark named after a financial institution or telecommunications company.

If our ballpark is named after something like Amerprise or US Bancorp, I can guarantee that the fans will just call it Puckett Park or Killebrew Field. But if the name is something discreet like Land O'Lakes Park or Wheaties Field, the announcers and Twins organization won't be the only people calling the stadium by the corporate name.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 7:41 PM by Lafferty 14

Since there are Twins officials that read this blog I would like to make this one simple statement, which I have stated before but will state again.

PLEASE, Oh PLEASE, hire some fan freindly ushers at the new park!!!

Will someone explain to me why you can't go to the lower level concorse with an upper deck ticket???? Check the tickets at the sections, I GET THAT! But, let us enjoy the lower concourse consessions if we so choose. Its a baseball game, not a maximum security prison. Lets have some fun people!! Its hard enough sitting in our seats watching Morneau start the season 0 for 12. If I want to go downstairs and order a Blimpie's sub, let me go downstairs and order a Blimpie's sub. Thank You.

Posted on April 3, 2008 at 8:47 PM by Jon 15

If you get an answer to that jon let me know since I have been asking that for years.

Posted on April 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM by Baseball fan 16

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Posted on June 21, 2010 at 6:10 PM by Jimmy (aka Expectorate) 17

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"You talk about the magic, the aura, but what really makes a stadium is the fans. Concrete doesn't talk back to you. Chairs don't talk back to you. It's the people who are there, day in, day out, that makes the place magic."

– Bernie Williams

Explore the Site

Here are 50 images chosen randomly from the 3004 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.

The lot within the lot.

They help create a psychological safe area along the plaza edge, and help you forget that cars are zipping by directly beneath you.

Fun with section counting!

A desolate Marquette Ave

The wall of brands at General Mills headquarters in Golden Valley (Source: RP)

The lights went on, and it was a Good Thing

Here's the barricade in context at the end of the walkway

This will be a bar/restaurant.

The green in question (click for very large version)

His body language might as well be the box score.

Harmon is visible (barely) at the very center of the crowd.

Stairs down to Seventh Street now have the start of railings

This view looks up Fifth Street toward downtown and shows how the LRT tracks sort of snuggle up to the ballpark.

From the ground beneath the troubled skyway.

The reverse angle shows that the signage will only partially obscure views from the top of the ramp. The wall is pretty high up there, so you'll need something to stand on, but it appears that this is one of the so-called "knotholes".

The entrance at Gate 3.

A glimpse of the rather plain west facade (the side which faces the HERC plant).

Time to paint those supports Vikings-purple.

Click to enlarge.

Photo by Tyler Wycoff

This would be easy to miss, but I found it on a cart located directly behind the Batter's Eye seating on the upper concourse in center field.

Detail of the Puckett wall hanging

The Metropolitan Club (click to enlarge)

Here's the view from the main concourse out through Gate 3 "Killebrew".

Serious home dugout work in progress.

Viewed from up Sixth Street (that's Target Center on the left), you can get an idea of how the connection is currently planned. As it stands now, the plaza will extend to that support pillar, from which a stairway will empty to the sidewalk below. If they get their wish, additional support structures will provide a walkway along Target Center which will gradually (without stairs) meet the sidewalk somewhere up near First Avenue.