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Model Details - Part 3

January 20, 2008 9:47 PM

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This is the third in a short series of photo sets from the unveiling of the nearly-finished ballpark model back in October. You can see it for yourself at Twinsfest. (Click any image to enlarge greatly.)

As you look at these, keep in mind that the outfield stands have gone through the most changes since the original concept drawings. Much of this was simply to add seating out there -- a goal which Dave St. Peter said publicly on plenty of occasions.

Since these photos were taken, it's entirely possible that things have continued to evolve. This is one area where I'll be looking closely at the model the next time I see it.

This view clearly shows the curve in the left field stands and the relationship of the first row with the playing field (no overhang to speak of in left).

Viewed from another angle, you can see that the bullpens now sit beneath the upper deck outfield seating.

This is a slightly blurry view of the pavilion in center. It has a quirky shape, but one which is completely consistent with the overall ballpark design. Nice work there. You can also get a glimpse of the greenery which will rise above the fences.

Look beyond the gigantic hand (a hounds tooth jacket? really?) and you'll get a glimpse of the main grandstand configuration. The two (or is it three?) levels of suites are visible, as is the design of the so-called "split upper deck," and the extensive use of limestone for decorative accents. Let's hope these little touches don't get cut as costs increase, because they make a nice tie-in from the outside of the park to the inside. Of most interest to me is the way that the very best seats are physically separated from all the rest of the seats by that limestone. There will be virtually no way to sneak into these seats. On one level, that's a somewhat sad design feature...

Tomorrow we'll look at some of the streetscapes in greater detail.

Comments

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Thanks for all of the pictures. This is great!

One thing I haven't noticed at all is the tarp for the infield. Is that in any of the pictures? We will actually need one of those finally!

Posted on January 20, 2008 at 10:08 PM by Brandon 1

I have no specific info on the tarp for the Twins park, but a lot of these new stadiums don't actually store them on the field... Check out this pic of Petco - no tarp is visable, as it's stored underneath the grandstand somehow.

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 1:22 PM by Moose97 2

Sorry to do a threadjack, but Dave has updated his blog, this time it concerns the future of Twins Fest. In the middle of the post, he proposes some alternative venues for the event.

What do you guys think the new venue should be?

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 4:37 PM by Pikachu732001 3

It should stay at the Dome as long as it's standing and operating, nobody else is using it during that part of January. If the dome is ever demolished, I would say have it at Target Center. By then the Twolves should be gone or at least been asked to leave by the good basketball fans of MN.

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 6:09 PM by kevin in mn 4

The tarps at Petco are stored under the left field and right field corner outside of the foul line. The wall comes off and the tarps roll out. Part of the reason they did this is because they rarely need to use tarps in San Diego.

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 6:44 PM by Jeff 5

This is a link to a scale model of Cincinnats old Crosley field made by a guy named Mike Weaver. Very nice detail too. I wish I could've have seen a game there. Click on my name for the link.

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 7:16 PM by John 6

Just a note to my above link, for those not familar with Crosley Field, the model represents the park in it's final configuration. Like many of the ballparks built in the early 1900's it was enlarged over the years and it originally had a brick facade that was painted white in an attempt to give it a facelift in it's last decade or two.

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 7:35 PM by John 7

I have seen that Crosley model (it is/was at the Reds HOF/museum at Great Amreican), and it is amazingly detailed. Thanks for the link...

Posted on January 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM by Moose97 8

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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."

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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.

Home Plate Box, Section 111, Row 8 or 9-ish (Click to enlarge greatly.)

Looking up Fifth, with LRT tracks and B ramp at left

Dan Kenney, my tour guide

The ballpark development area expanded by 1000 feet in each direction

Look closely at the overhang. You'll see the on the right it is flush with the fence, and then it sticks out farther and farther as you move toward center. More fun for Michael Cuddyer.

The outline of an infield has appeared on the asphalt in advance of the ground-breaking on Thursday night.

Someone please get those poor people a drink of water. (Gate 34, after the game had started)

Look closely at the overhang. You'll see the on the right it is flush with the fence, and then it sticks out farther and farther as you move toward center. More fun for Michael Cuddyer.

Looking through the transit hub

Emergency access viewed in context

This is the trapezoid (for lack of a better name) in right center. Be sure to notice section of seats just below the pavilion and above the fence (which I hadn't noticed before). For those who are interested, what looks like an old-style scoreboard is in fact a high-def video board which will look, at times, like an old-fashioned scoreboard.

The Seventh Street facade

Looking out from under Gate 34

I took this picture just moments before Morneau's homer landed almost exactly where I had been standing. If only I hadn't wanted to watch the game...

Another classic space in the making above the Hrbek gate.

The outfield stands as viewed through the unnumbered gate

Detail of the train tunnels (click to view the entire drawing)

This is the view from where the plaza will connect to the walkway on the west side of Target Center. This presumably aids traffic flow back to the A ramp, and perhaps to the skyway connection (though the doors to the skyway right there are typically exit only).