Those are nice pics Rick...Please tell me that on one of those scoreboards there will be a pitch speed indicator. In many pics I've seen, I haven't seen that on any of the images.

Thanks again for a great update.

rick - can you explain why the tarp was back on the field today? we are going to the open house tomorrow and i am really hoping it is not still on the field when we get there.

great pics, thanks for the batter's eye view pic

Rick,

How were the 237 seats? Do you know what the sign covering up the railing is going to be? I know we were thinking of bringing our "K" signs to the games and becoming the K zone...doubt the Twins would like that if it was a sponsor...

Betaband, we have all pretty much figured out that the cover was put on due to going below freezing. Notice it was done just as that was happening. Now that they've warmed the field up, brought it out of hibernation, and started watering it, they have to be much more careful about freeze damage to the blades. Most likely they'll remove the tarp at some point to water it, but they'll likely replace the tarp as temps begin to go back below freezing.

Nice to see that 237 view...I'll be a few rows behind you at the opener, Rick. Can't wait to head down there later this morning. Woo hoo.

wow.

Luke, don't forget your long johns today.

We'll be testing out the TC scarves that my wife made when we head over today. I'm kinda happy about this weather. It'll give us a bit of "reality" so that we can testify to the truth. ;-) I feel like a ballpark apostle all of a sudden.

Woohoo..Actual fans on the webcam..

Rick-
Looks great! Hopefully I can snap a bunch of images for you all too, with some different interior angles. Did everyone have to have their "name checked"? Seems like a pain in the ass to have to check everyone that walks through the gate. What did you say to the guy? At least you got in. Did you bring your son? If you did I bet he had a bunch of great kid-quotes about the park.

oh Jax - it's spring! It's outoor baseball!
If I'm gonna wear long johns, I might as well be back at the Dome...

perish THAT thought right where it started...

Gonna be a fun day.

Awesome stuff, Rick!

someone break the news to Luke that there's no game today? lol

Preach it, JP!

I am also curious about how they are "checking names." I bought season tickets for and got passes to the open house on Sunday, but traded to go on Saturday. Will this be a problem?

Turning into a nice day and the tarp is still on the field. Looks like they will be leaving on today.

Josh, based on Rick's experience, I am guessing no. he was not the only person to use someone else's ticket. I have a friend who went last night too. You'll get in. I'm in the same boat as you.

Minn, at present the temp is 28 degrees. I wouldn't be surprised if they wait til it is about 33 degrees to remove the tarp and water the lawn.

much like going to a very moving theater production or an inspirational christmas festival concert, i feel like i've had to sit on my hands to hold back the urge to give a standing ovation for target field. thanks rick for providing the venue and sharing w/ all of us over the years... it's almost go time!

can't. freaking. wait.

Thanks for the heads up, Rick.

I am going tomorrow - so I appreciate the insight...and any other insight or details you or anyone else can provide about the open house!

Taking the light rail from Big lake tomorrow..Last one goes out from Target Field at 445...What happens if it's full? Am I SOL? Really don't want to be stranded,although what a better place to be..Any info appreciated for a 1st time user..

Steve--

Go to Youtube and search for "Japanses subway during rush hour".

Do how they do.

Or "Japanese". That would work better.

Steve -- The Sunday train is highly unlikely to be full, but even if it was there is always room to squeeze a few more on for standing room. I can't imagine them not getting everyone on the last train out.

Steve-

The chances of the North Star being full on a Sunday are about nil...I don't think you have anything to worry about.

What I'm concerned about is this: I noticed that the North Star is scheduled to depart TF on game days "30 minutes after the last pitch"...I have tix to the July 2nd game vs the Rays...there will be a fireworks display after the game...will the train wait until the fireworks are over to leave? Maybe I'm overly concerned and the fireworks won't last long enough to matter, but I'd hate to be stuck downtown at 10:30 or so with the wife and kids and no way home or than an expensive cab ride.

Thanks everyone,,Chad,That's some funny chit..Fred,I'll be at that game also but unless they do a later pick up that game I'm driving..

Anyone know if the main ticket office is open this weekend? Also, does the pro shop have any player name/number authentic jerseys in the alternate cream or road gray?

Steve--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afYLPJe332Q

This ones even better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlNyCHlLt1Y&feature=related

If anybody's interested, there are apparently more tickets available for the exhibition games against the Cards. If you click on the ticketing symbol in the main schedule, it will say they are sold out, but if you select another game and then click on the schedule link in the new window that opens up, it lets you pick tickets for the exhibition games. Decent ones still left too.

Do we know which bullpen the Twins will take? Front or back?

Also, for those that visited last night or today, are the Twins staff/ushers still wearing the red shirts with khaki pants or did they get a new uniform makeover as well?

The red shirts and khaki pants would fit nice with the overall Target theme going on at Target Field and Target Plaza...In all seriousness, I wouldn't be surprised if they are going to switch to blue shirts or some other new look.

the woodbacked seats sure look nice inbetween all the green seats.

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Dunno why my text was garbled but that's the view from my seat in 102 yay!

hi all, just got back from the field and wow this place is great! I must admit that I have never been to a real big league park before and it was a great experience. i need to throw one thing out to you all about my experience on the negative side and know that you can appreciate it better than most. I have season tickets in sec 239 seats 2,3,4,5 and was very, very disappointed to find that because of the stairs going up, seats 3,4,5 are about 6 inches closer to the railing/wall then seat #2 and the rest of the row! for some this may be no big deal, but being 6'2 it is a very big deal to me. no one ever told me about this problem with my seats, and while i understand that the twins may not have known about this problem when I picked my tickets (last june) and the fact that no one from the twins let me know that I had chosen tickets with a problem makes me mad. this is as bad or worse then the dome and the fact that I have to pay full price to get a leg cramp while watching the game is crazy. thanks for letting me vent, i will just have to try to make sure that I get the good seat at games this year!

Nice view Jax... looks like you can see the whole park from there, unlike some seats. Mine should be great too... 128 row 6. I'll find out tomorrow!

You bastards! I'm jealous.

The bathrooms are very warm! Lol

Very cool pics. More! More!

I can't wait to go to the Cardinals game on April 3.

I can't lie. I am waiting for a pic of Luke with his date.

What do you bet the rep plays dumb and just points out that Mike can sit in #2?

Anyone care to post a picture of Section 324, Row 5, Seats 1 & 2?

Those are my seats for my season tickets...and I am going to the Open House tomorrow - but a little preview would be nice!

Thanks in advance.

How about Section 128 Row 6 Seats 21-24.... Would be appreciated!

I'm so jealous! I'm teaching drumline all day and can't make it to the open house.

The pics from the park are awesome! Thanks everyone.

Rick, how do plan to organize InGameMagic pics going forward? A seperate post/comment section for each game? Each series? Something else?

I am excited for 2marrow, im bringing my chick and out 2 boys, is there some food there we can have for lunch? has anyone been inside hrbeks?

and i thought Luke was going with moes?

Lots of concessions open and hrbeks and town ball are open too. I had a dog and it was good. The bun was fresh and fluffy and it tasted like it was cooked sometime today even! That was a new experience lol.

Rick were those "worst seats in the house" 327? That doesnt look to far for being up there. I can see my season ticket seats in a the photo of the Bud Deck (section 226). Looking forward to tomorrow!

I still think the worst seats are the RF bleachers right next to the overhang section. It seems you only see half of the field from those seats regardless of being down low, I think those are the worst seats and wouldn't pay a penny to sit there.

If anyone is interested there is a new video tour for the month of March on the Ballpark Authority Website narrated by Dan Kenney called the Building of Target Field. If anyone is interested in all of the details of the building and of the money spent on all of the improvements around the site then you will enjoy this tour. Thanks everyone for all of the good work you do with your posts and pictures.

Thanks Jax!!!!

yea we are bringing the whole tribe down so i think we might try to sit down for a meal if avalible, but not opposed to hot dogs and brats!!!

i want to walk every inch of this place I have not been inside since my ninja days and boy it looks alot diff. im bring down the 5 and 6 year olds so a sit down lunch would be nice to break up all the time I want to drag them thru section after section.

.

kev, you are full of it! I know you would fork over at least a quarter for those seats and enjoy every minute of the game, especially after a Morneau HR flies directly over your head.

yeah, the kids get bored - mine are older but they just don't get the significance. They got all Luke on me (brr it's cold! whine whine) lol

If you have us regular folks Season Tix, make sure you sit in a squishy champions club seat, visit the legends club and go through some even suites... its all awesome. I'm running out to buy my lottery tickets so we can afford better than 102 next year.

Luke & life partner

Sorry Locker...Maybe a nickel, but not a quarter. I save those for the pop machine!

I thought we decided his date was a blow up doll? I did a double-take at one point, because I saw a dude walking around with a life-sized paper Flat Stanley. (if you're not a parent, google it). At first I thought it was Luke and his deflated date but I was wrong. :p

one other thing regarding concessions - one thing that blew my mind.... behind a partition at some of the concessions you can see people actually COOKING FOOD! Crazy!

IMG00064-20100320-1441.jpg

Here is the view from our seats. Section 304, Row 11, Seats 15 and 16. I am very happy with the seats. Are there better? Sure, but for our budget we were blown away at how good they were!!! Is it Opening Day yet?
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Spent several hours down at the park. Three primary observations:
(1) Grounds crew was practicing unrolling and rolling up the infield tarp. Of course they need practice! Its been 29 years since they've had to worry about that.

(2) I was surprised how steep the view deck is. And, of course, I have two groups who will be in the top rows of it. I'm glad my dad with Parkinsons won't have to make that climb.

(3)The level of detail is just outstanding. I am going to love coming to this park many, many times.

Dudes and dudettes. I have had an epiphany. Pictures do NOT do that place justice. It was PHENOMENAL.
My seats in 110 for the April 14 game are not as "obstructed" as they claim they are. I can see the video board just fine.
The LF bleachers were much better than I expected. I didn't really care for the RF bleachers, we sat over there towards the end of the afternoon and it got cold and windy.
I REALLY didn't like the Powerball Pavillion seats. They were too tight.
I took 200+ pix that are downloading to Flickr right now. And yes, I did take a few pix with my female companion.

I thought the wind veil in person was terrific. Thank God there isnt a roof. I also liked the view from the Family Section. Really nice seats up there.

Pix coming when they're downloaded.

For the record, Townball Tavern was open, but not serving. You could look it over and check out the menu. We didn't go into Hrbek's but it was open - don't know if they were serving. My guess is that they weren't because none of the other restaurants/clubs were.

oh...well i wasn't that observant. You can always get the big dog and a coke and sit under the heat lamps like a deli chicken like we did :)

omg.. OMG forgive me for I have sinned.... a PEPSI!!!!.....not a Coke.

Hrbek's was open, and given all the people behind the bar with 14 jerseys on, I think they were doing drinks at least, with sample menus out for information. Hrbek's also has framed jerseys from Bloomington Kennedy through all of Kent's minor league stops, and the Twins, of course.

...and by 14 jerseys, I do mean with #14 on the back, not 14 jerseys each. The poor folks working the upper concourse concession stands looked quite miserable. No company-issued parkas for them (or 14 jerseys to wear).

Luke: if you have longer
than a 4 hour boner be sure to consult your doctor ASAP.......From the girl NOT the ballpark

Some random comments from last night -

1) Anyone look at the signs on the back of the bathroom stall doors? Very interesting ... and green.
2) My daughter noted that small details are carried throughout the park. For example, the crystals used in the firepit on the Budweiser deck are also used in the fireplaces in the Legends Club and as accents in the Champions Club.
3) Pictures and history just about everywhere. Press Club is cool.
4) Metropolitan Event Suites are going to be very popular.
5) TVs seem to be more prevalent than in many other parks. No missing the action.
6) Very small sampling of Legends Club food was very good and, more importantly, good quality - not heat-lamped food (let's up this keeps up). The Walleye/Chips was very tasty. Waiting to see the souvenir drink cup.
7) Seats in the Champions Club area very comfortable.
8) Infield views from both the Legends Club and Home Plate Box levels are significantly better than anything at the Dome.
9) You can see the Outdoor Baseball billboard with the 3D people from the Club level.
10) Metropolitan Club will fill very quickly on game days.
11) Five different Twins staff members all had the same response when asked about the Guided Tours that were supposed to be available - "I have no idea. I don't think there are any."
12) Dugouts / clubhouses off limits, except to tours. See #11. :(
13) Lots of pictures coming soon ...

Just wonderiing, does anyone know what they are going to do with the blank sign on top of the trap. Is it going to be an advertisment? more twins logos? target logo maybe? or will it stay blank

here's about 1/4 of my pix from today. Used my MB allotment on Flickr. Have to wait to post more.

Made a visit to the park today and will be visiting tomorrow as well. Have a ton of great pictures to upload. Will get right on that and let you all know when they are up!

Thanks Max...I just spit diet coke all over my flat screen monitor.

Thanks for the photos Luke. You are a good sport. Max...freaking hilarious!

Well, if you believe the drawing on the Opening Day season tickets, the sign above the trap will be a "This is Twins Territory" sign.

Be nice to see it be something other than advertising ... but I wouldn't bet on it.

It sounds as if everyone had the same reaction. We have a great facility to enjoy for the next 20 - 30 years.

I brought both my son(22) and wife, both are casual baseball fans and at this point have become sick of all of the photos and articles I have forced on them about TF. I had hoped at best to keep them there for a couple of hours. Instead, we stayed a full 5 hours and neither one ever asked to leave. We could have stayed until 5:00pm, but we were all hungry and decided to try something other than hot dogs. Perhaps they were indulging me and my obsessions, but I really think they were in awe. Just like me. There really isn't a bad seat. We moved from section to section and each time decided, we could sit here. I have to admit, the legends club is the place to be. The Puckett and Carew areas are fantastic. 573 club is a show place and the this doesn't even take into account the seating that the area provides. On a day like today, it would be nice to have a spacious heated concourse in addition to your place in the sun. After 10 minutes of walking around in there, both my wife and son decided that is where we should get tickets next year. If only life was that simple.

If you haven't had a chance to get inside yet, don't worry about your seats. You won't be disappointed, upper deck, lower level, outfield or Bud deck. This will be a great place to watch a game, regardless of what the weather is like.

For anybody without tickets and a set of cojones that wants to go tomorrow, I think you're chances of getting in there without a ticket are probably about 60/40.

There are no bar codes on the tickets, so there's nothing to scan, and when we walked in the guys at the gate appeared to almost forget to look for them... They were more interested in making sure we got one of the Fan Guides. At one point, Jax and I walked out of Gate 29 to go into the Pro Shop (the door from inside the park wasn't available), and when we walked out of the gate, there were absolutely no guards/ushers there. People were strolling right into the park.

Thanks for posting that pic Rick! It did bum me out but who knows what will happen! As for my favorite part, the field box sections down the third base line!!! Man if you could get into the first few rows, now that would be a good seat to watch a game in. (once again this is from someone who's only other baseball he has seen is seibert field and rosemount high school)

I saw on another site that Delta is a cornerstone partner. If that's the case I can see a Delta airplane "taking off" from the Trap.

K

Someone made mention that there is still no "car" sponsorship in the ballpark. If that's the case, could "The Trap" potentially be the place for that?

Can somebody tell me the times of the open house tomorrow?

Hasn't Dodge been a long-time sponsor for the Twins, perhaps they'll use it and put a picture of a runaway Toyota aimed toward the fans sitting there?

I thought Dodge was the longtime sponsor. Has anybody seen ads at Target Field?

Jim and Kev - I have to admit, I got a chuckle from Max' comment too :).

I thought Dodge pulled their sponsorship last year to try and save money? During the whole congressional hearings thingy...

DreDogg, that is definitely possible. If that's the case, I'd think the Twins still have at least one sponsorship deal left to announce. Don't most, if not all teams have a car sponsor?

well maybe it'll be Mauer Chevrolet... maybe one deal is tied to the other. LOL

kev you are wrong about those seats in right field--seeing 50% of the field would be nice. I sat there in the back row and could see nothing to the right of 2nd base.It is a joke they charge $17 a seat there.

which seats are you talking about?

I was thinking the same thing Jax - Mauer Chev sign on the trap.

I've thought Mauer Chevrolet would make sense. It'd be interesting to see that up there.

They charge that much for those seats??? How can they cost more than the $10 cheapos in upper view? That's a crime. Those RF bleachers should be priced at $3 a seat. Either that or rip them out and put the kiddie playland over there.

I can see them being $17 a seat, but it should be done on a seat by seat basis, as should the back row low seat #s of Section 101. The ones that have a major obstruction should be no more than $6 a game.

As another post mentioned, pictures do not do Target Field Justice. We have seats in section 304 (tried to post a photo and it didn't work) and we are MORE than happy with what we purchased!

Dodge pulled out as a sponsor as part of their restructuring during the bailout... not likely to see them advertising like that for awhile.

Delta would seem a logical choice, but the FSNorth sign on the video board should serve as an indicator of just how bad the advertising market is at this point - however, with the Twins looking like they are going to post a season full of sellouts, sponsors may get back in to the picture.

Can somebody please tell me the times of the open house tomorrow?

Just realized the trap sign could also be Delta, as the official name of the Legends Club is "Delta Sky360 (degree) Legends Club".

But I'd much prefer Twins Territory.

Open House Sunday is 9 to 5.

Can anyone describe the fan guide handed out today? None were apparently to be had last night ...

Glad to hear the view from section 304 is good. That's where I'll be opening night.

I live in Grand Forks, ND and me and my buddy have been down to the cities a few times and always walk around the park when we get over there. What would be the easiest way to get tickets to a afternoon ball game this year? Last year we would be bored and just drive down and buy tickets from the ticket window at the dome, but I don't see us getting good seats that way this year. Would it be better to buy from stubhub, craigslist or just try and buy from a scalper a couple hours before the game? We both are pretty eager to wake up with a hangover and just decide to drive down and catch an afternoon game. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I know a lot of people are happy about the rooftop deck, but I was quite disapointed in the view. I have tickets for the third Boston game and one a few months in. If the seats are as bad as I think they are for Boston I'll try to turn the later season ones back in. Everything else sure was nice though. Checked out my season tickets and it'll be nice and easy to get in and out, and with a great view. Also sat in all my seats I have for individual games. It should be nice this summer.

Dodge pulled out as a sponsor as part of their restructuring during the bailout... not likely to see them advertising like that for awhile.

Delta would seem a logical choice, but the FSNorth sign on the video board should serve as an indicator of just how bad the advertising market is at this point - however, with the Twins looking like they are going to post a season full of sellouts, sponsors may get back in to the picture.

Dodge pulled out as a sponsor as part of their restructuring during the bailout... not likely to see them advertising like that for awhile.

Delta would seem a logical choice, but the FSNorth sign on the video board should serve as an indicator of just how bad the advertising market is at this point - however, with the Twins looking like they are going to post a season full of sellouts, sponsors may get back in to the picture.

Thanks for the pix Luke, you and your sister are good sports!

Thanks Maz. With one exception: we aint related :).

So, she's just related on yer ma's side?

luke, are you by chance from stearns county? if so...totally normal.

Nothing wrong with dating your sister Luke...I hear that's normal up there in Michele Bachmann country!

This might have been posted, but I'm not done looking through all the comments yet.

For the person looking for the pitch speed, there is one above the bullpen. Saw it in one of Luke's pictures.

Stupid question of the night:

Did they have anyone speaking on the PA today? If so, how does it sound?

I think that is one MAJOR improvement over the dome that no one is talking about. No more muffled, echo-y sound system. I'm guessing it now will be clear and crisp.

i'll be in 304 on april 14th, so i'm also glad to hear they are good seats

Doesn't seem like a stupid question to me, Dre. When I went to Detroit and KC, I was blown away by the sound. I could actually understand everything that was being said!

DreDogg, they had the PA going the whole time with the Twins radio broadcast. Crystal clear.

they were broadcasting the Twins Game... Danny sounded nice and clear. :)

They were showing 163 for most of my visit - I wanted to cry watching Nathan pitch. *sniffle* It may be the ONLY pitching I see him do there and that's so sad.

There are a few pitch speed signs around the boards.

More important than the pitch speed, I also saw a space where they will put up the scoring of each play. VERY nice!

p.s. my post w/pic i uploaded (click link) should read "the view FROM the batter's eye view...." I fat finger everything on my iphone.

Speaking of scoring..We get Twingo cards this year? :):):):)

That's great news about the pitch speed and official scoring. Dre, that's not stupid at all. The PA sound is extremely important. Hell even the old loudspeakers at the Met with Bob Casey bellowing throughout the MN river valley sounded better than the awful echoes inside the dome.

About the radio broadcast, was it just paying throughout the concourses or was it also broadcasted in the restrooms? Remember those restrooms are very important to me. I still wish there were flat screens above all urinals and on the backs of the shitter stall doors...

any food highlights from today? I went for the murrays sandwich ($10.50) and an italian sausage ($5) from Halsey's. Both were definitely tasty, but obviously not too budget friendly. I got the last of the murray's - apparently they sold well. The krmarczuk stand wasn't open and I didn't make it to the state fair classics stand. I scoped out the pizza at the Frankie V's stand - looked ok, but didn't try it. Also saw grain belt on tap at the Twins brews stand, but no surly. Couple different summit brews ($7.50 - bottle, not on tap).

From a fan perspective the park was as great as I hoped it would be.

Sorry, no pics, my 18 month old didn't quite get the significance of the day and wasn't being very cooperative.

*sigh* i should just go to bed. lol

Perhaps even the rotten dome organ that they brought with them to TF will actually sound better now that it will be amplified with a high-tech sound system.

you know, now that you mention it, it was pretty quiet in the bathroom - I don't think they do Kevin! It's a closed door - not like the dome.

fyi - That picture I took from the Batter's Eye ledge is me just pointing the camera straight ahead... so if you're under say 5'6", you won't see much. lol

I don't know about the bathroom as I didn't go in while the game was still on. Wouldn't doubt it was on in there though. As for the beer, I have reason to believe that what you saw at the Minnesota beers stand was not nearly what they will have available once the season starts. I think it was just something to sell for today.

If what they were handing out today was the "Target Field Fan Guide", all fans in attendance at either of the two April exhibition games will receive one too.

I had a polish at the Halsey's Sausage Haus. Would have preferred Kramarczuk's. Noticed that the Polish and Italians had the Target "Market Pantry" logo next to them on the menu board. I guess they got more than the name and the bullsyes.

I also noticed that the supermajority of beer taps at concession stands were Bud LIght and Bud only. Better beers are on tap on the club level and the other restaurants...or just in bottles at the Beers of Twins Terr. Local beer carts were fitted with stock tanks, so they're going to be bottles, too.

Now if only they'd get better mustard than Heinz Yellow.

There's Mic Golden Light on tap at the first concession in from the plaza.

note to RICK! Sorry for spamming InGameMagic lol. I would try to send one pic after the other and it seems to replace the previous pic I sent, so I tried to resend the 2nd one again and ended up sending you several of the same damn thing. sorry about that. You may need to publish a tutorial for blondes like me before the first game. :D

"Can anyone describe the fan guide handed out today? None were apparently to be had last night ...

Nothing too spectacular jfh. It's a small magazine publication that has a "Top Things to See at Target Field" list, but we know about all of it already - the wind veil, Met flagpole, scoreboard (yes, the scoreboard - as if people could somehow miss it if they tried).

It also has an "A-Z Guest Guide that shows you where to find ATM's, camera policies, guest services, etc... Nothing exciting there. The most useful part of the guide is the section that outlines the signature concession items, and where you can find them in the part. That will come in handy. The rest of it isn't enough to worry about missing out on.

For your enjoyment, the rest of my pics from today.
There are some duplicates.

I saw it mentioned here this past week, but here is an update on Opening Series tickets. Opening Day is sold out, and there is no chance any more tickets get released for that. The other two seemed sold out too, but the Twins have apparently released a few held back for the games on the 14th and 15th against Boston.

Speaking of the guide handed out today, a nice policy regarding getting up during the game was included. It stated that it is Twins policy that people not get up from their seats and walk down the row while a player is at bat. I was very happy to hear this.

Natron, what does it say about the Camera Policy? I was thinking about buying some L glass for my Canon when my tax return comes back.

JP, I'm not sure it's always been written policy but it's always been common courtesy but there's always some jackhole in every row that doesn't seem to know a game is going on.

For those that went today - is the Pro Shop open during the Open House?

Thanks.

Just no video permitted during the game, Jimmer.

Not knowing what the hell L Glass is, I would guess that you'd probably be fine with it.

Pro Shop was open yes. Prepare to throw punches to get through the crowd in there.

Yes, pro shop was open and busy during the open house. The other good nugget of info in the fan guide was what is and isn't allowed into the park. You can bring in food (unless you're in club seats or suites), but they ask you cut up apples first (or other possible projectiles). You can also bring in water bottles 32oz and smaller.

I plan on bringing the brass knuckles to make sure I get where I need to go in the pro shop.

Well, I'm looking at getting a 70-200mm lens that has a white metal outer covering that kinda sticks out like a sore thumb, plus is pretty large in size. Hopefully I can get it in the ballpark.

Regarding the "getting up during the game" policy - I hope the Twins expand on that and the ushers at the top of a section don't allow people to come down the steps during an at bat.

Canon sell a number of lenses in a special series they refer to as L for “luxury.” These are their most expensive and highest-quality lenses, and are readily identifiable by the red stripe painted around the end of the barrel.

L series lenses offer higher optical quality than their non-L equivalents, and have an important technical aspect in common. At least one element in every L lens is either made of fluorite crystal rather than glass, is a ground aspheric lens element (not a moulded/replicated aspheric lens as used in less expensive lenses) or is made from ultra-low dispersion glass. Most L series lenses are also sturdily built - many are encased in metal barrels and are weatherproofed - and most are very fast lenses for their focal lengths. Nearly all telephoto L series lenses are also off-white rather than black.

Steve, you seem to know what you're talking about... Have you ever had problems bringing one into a game?

I think I might come here if I ever need advice on a camera, haha. Oh, and good to hear that we can still bring in food. I'm going to try out a few things, but I always ate at home first or brought food to the game.

well at least with the TF layout, I'll have a chance to make it down to the front row before the next batter steps in. At the dome, I usually didn't make it.

I think all of us who have been in the park can agree that the journey from a seat to an exit is going to be, on average, immensely shorter in most respects. Hard to believe the huge pileups in the aisles will be nearly as bad.

so can you bring it bottles and cans of pop or just water?

Well, I'm a Nikon guy..Canons are not allowed in the park:):):)..JK,I've taken my Nikon digital SLR with a 28-105mm lens in the Dome numerous times...Hopefully the policy continues..Can't wait for tomorrow give it some good use..Tired of Woodpeckers etc. this time of year.

I'm guessing, because I don't have the guide (get it tomorrow), but they allowed bottles of pop as long as it was what they sold. I'm guessing you won't be able to bring in a bottle of Coke. Pepsi will likely be okay. No caps allowed though. I have no idea about cans.

You aren't permitted to bring beverages in of any kind. You are permitted to bring in an empty container for filling at the water fountain.

And you might be able to just peel off the label if you do want to bring in a Coke. They allowed things they didn't sell in the Dome as long as you ripped off the label.

Actually thinking of getting the 200mm prime 2.8 instead of the 70-200 f4 Steve, it's one of the few L that are still black, and it's considerably shorter than the zoom. Should work ok from out in LF too I'd think.

jp, I'd bet a flask wouldn't be too hard...

lol I'm not speaking to what one might accomplish, only what is permitted. ;-)

yeah JP that's what i figured

jpberka-
That might just be a way to try and get people to buy instead of bring stuff. Remember the message they always blaring outside the Dome before games? It always said no outside food or beverages allowed. That, in both cases, was not true.

A flask is a must....It's the only way to make pepsi edible.

blastphemy!

I never had any problem bringing in a large bag of peanuts. Better to buy them at a local grocery store for $2 rather than $6 at the ballpark for a bag half the size.

Actually, the rules at the dome were no beverages, but quite clearly you were permitted to bring food in. The rules at Target Field are pretty much exactly the same except now you can bring an empty water bottle in. I brought Chipotle and Subway in for years at the Dome.

I can see there being potential traffic backups in the trap. I was surprised by how narrow the steps up to the grandstand are. Aisles seemed narrower than the view/terrace areas.

Pictures from our Visit Today!

I brought in Coke all the time at the Dome. They'd ask you to remove the cap and possibly rip off the label if you brought in something they didn't sell. I removed the cap and stuck it in my pocket and put it back on when I got to my seat :)

A few more things from the fan guide handed out today.

Beverages: Sealed bottles of water 32 ounces or less and soft-sided single juice or milk containers are the only outside beverages permitted.

Food: The twins permit food into the ballpark as long as it is consumed in the general seating areas. Outside food cannot be brought into any restaurant, club, lounge or suite. food containers must be soft sided and fit under a guest's seat. Food that could be thrown as a projectile should be sliced or sectioned (i.e. apples). Any food purchased from the concession areas on Target Plaza is allowed.

Minn, that is exactly what I was reading off of. The rules are nearly identical to the Dome. At the Dome, they refused to let me into the old season ticket holder club with food I brought in as well.

Here is what is says in the guide:

Beverages: Sealed bottles of water 32 ounces or less and soft-sided single juice or milk containers are the only outside beverages permitted. Liquids required for legitimate medical purposes are permitted.

Food: The Twins permit food into the ballpark as long as it is consumed in the general seating areas. Outside food cannot be brought into any restaurant, club, lounge or suite. Food containers must be soft-sided and fit under a guests seat. Food that could be thrown as a projectile should be sliced or sectioned (i.e.,apples). Any food purchased from the concession ares on Target Plaza is allowed.

minn,

LOL you beat me to it!

ECHO!

I guess, I better learn to type a little faster.

the also list prohibited items as;
Ball retrievers
balloons
bats
beach balls
boom boxs
brooms
fireworks
footballs
frisbees
hardsided coolers
laser pointers
lawn chairs
noise making devices
weapons
wooden sticks and rods

nothing that surprising.

"Actually thinking of getting the 200mm prime 2.8 instead of the 70-200 f4"

Do it if you got the cash...

What the hell is a ball retriever anyway? Obviously it doesn't mean glove. I also don't think it means your pet Labrador. ;-)

I wonder if they will consider Propel to be water for the purposes of taking it in?

awesome pic's Josh, this ballpark is looking better every day.

i hope they allow helmets. I'm going to need one sitting down the 1st baseline. I am 100% sure to get hit by a foul ball. I am not very observant.

google it JP... used by golfers mostly. :)

I cannot stop thinking about baseball now. This stadium will literally blow you away! We even got into the baseball spirit by purchasing a beer and peanuts (to enjoy in our seats) and paid a whopping $11.50. We spent that much on lunch alone. Glad to see in the guide they talked about what can and can't be brought in!

Also on a side note, I had a great time listening to all the people out there that know absolutely nothing about the ballpark. There were dad's telling their kids wrong things about the park and boyfriends/husbands telling their significant others wrong things too. I tried to help out in some of the conversations when it was apparent that they had NO idea what they were talking about, but after about 2-3 times of doing that I said screw it, I would be here all day doing that. LOL!

Hello! I'm going to the open house tomorrow and had a quick question. Will they be offering samples of any of the food or does everything have to be purchased? The pics look great everyone, btw!

-8bit

I also noticed that the supermajority of beer taps at concession stands were Bud LIght and Bud only. Better beers are on tap on the club level and the other restaurants...or just in bottles at the Beers of Twins Terr. Local beer carts were fitted with stock tanks, so they're going to be bottles, too.

This is the first bit of bad news I have read regarding Target Field. The on-tap beer choices at the Dome were/are a joke, save for the Leinies lodge. I am really hoping for something better than a cart selling bottles of the good stuff. Come on Twins, get us some decent beer!!!

Awesome day for ballpark geeks.

I still don't understand the overhang of the Pavillion(?), though? That IS the overhang, right. It looks huge in that shot by Josh.

Couple of things I wanted to point out. I am not much for cash to afford the expensive camera gear, but I have been in the Dome and TF with a 70-300 Sigma lens without problem. Your 200 would give you away a bit more but I wouldn't think you should have problem getting in with it.

Also, I don't think it's been mentioned here before but in the guide handed out, on one of the last pages, they mention that among all the "green" features of the park, they are planting 100 trees in a MN state park for every bat broken by a Twins pitcher at TF.

Wow what a great ballpark! I kept thinking I was not in Minneapolis. One thing I was very disappointed about was how people need to pick up after themselves. A lot of trash left behind in cup holders and under seats. Come on people keep this gem of a ballpark clean!

Can anyone offer any insight into parking for the Open House? Were you able to park in either A ramp or B ramp with ease?

Thanks!

Oh and did anyone notice the wall section by the bullpen (linked) marking 411 from home plate?

I was able to quite comfortably park near the 46th street light rail stop. ;-)

Josh...Don't bother correcting the ignorant. I know how you feel. Last weekend as I was sitting a Camelback Ranch watching the Brewers and White Sox. I had a "know it all" White Sox fan sitting directly behind me. He was going on and on about how the Twins are moving to an outdoor ballpark in downtown Minnesota this year (yeah, downtown Minnesota) and that half of their games will be postponed. I wasn't wearing one bit of Twins garb. I pulled out my blackberry and showed him the current weather conditions in Mpls (64 degrees) and Chicago (47 degrees). It was the last word he said on the subject.

A couple things I haven't seen mentioned here today...our concession experience at around noon was mixed. There was no line because the crowd was light. They didn't have the Italian brats or whatever ready, no big deal. But when it was time to pay one of the registers was not working correctly. The staff made it clear that there were a number of bugs to be worked through.

Also one stand was staffed by volunteers, another by full-time employees (they said they'd be there all 81 games). I am hopeful that there will be full-time employees running the registers throughout the park.

A great experience overall, but worth noting that there appears to be at least one work in progress.

Chad, can you be more specific? Which photo are you talking about?

Erik, parking was a breeze. We parked in the A ramp ($9) and took an elevator to street level, crossed the street and we were on the plaza.

Interesting about the stuff being allowed to be brought in. Unfortunately I'm guessing smoking will still not be allowed even though we are outside?

The 411 marking was moved to allow access for filed workers to and from the bullpen area.

No, thank god, smoking will not be allowed in Target Field.

I think the ball retriever is a device that allows get baseballs from the playing field during batting practice. Well duh!! The first sentence of mine sounds so stupid, anyways. I've seen a video where this guy flips over this glove ball retriever thing from the stands and onto the playing field where a baseball is and then he is somehow able to snag the ball into his glove and pull it up into the stands. Its works pretty slick from the videos I've seen.

Thanks Josh, appreciate the insight.

Also along the lines of funny comments overheard...someone said "what do you think Best Buy had to spend to get their name up on that sign"...then his buddy said "probably like $100,000".

Josh,

IMG_3348. From that picture, it looks like it sticks out 10+ feet. Maybe it's just the angle.

Speaking of distance markings, I like that they are more subtle than the Dome. I really didn't even notice them. It looks nicer that way, at least I think so.

JC,

That's when you just turn around and bitchslap the moron.

Rick, when was the last time the board was this busy? Seems every time I refresh another 3 or 4 posts are added.

ha chad i haven't even bother to close this tab i just come by every so often refreshing, seeing as I'm having a chill sat night at home

Chad, it hangs out 8ft at the most over the field. It sounds like that's not far, but it really is in person. Now the weird things is they were not letting people view that area, they had yellow tape, not sure what that was about. I think they added it as a unique feature to the ballpark or a signature area. It is really cool looking though in person.

Erik, where do you plan on parking?

I really like how the distance markers are on the bottom of the outfield walls. I'm not sure how common this is since I really have not paid much attention to this in other ballparks. In my opinion it looks much better then being on the top of the outfield walls. I guess its just one of those strange details that you notice when you been paying close attention to the construction of this place from day 1. Thanks for posting all the photos!! Its greatly appreciated!!

Please someone who is attending tomorrow during the Twins spring training game. Hit one of the restrooms. I want to know if they're piping in the radio. If not, see if there are any speakers on the ceiling or anything. I must have audio in the restroom, I must dammit! Every other ballpark I've been to that has been built in the last 15 years has game audio in the restroom...Hell even Wrigley has it.

Will do Kevin. I think I'll probably be there from open to close. Nothing else to do and I'm obsessed.

Rick, I just have to thank you for all you have done. I think I would have been one of the ignorant people today talking like I knew everything had it not been for you and your site. I stumbled across your site while browsing the internet for old Met photos and info, and have followed everyday since. You made me excited for this ballpark even more than I already was, and really provided us all with a service the Twins really should have done for all fans. Thanks again for all you have done!

All I can say is that at least the overhang isn't Tal's Hill. Still weird, but not that bad.

Does anyone know what level of Ramp A has access to the skyway to Target Field?

Rick, how many unique page views do you have each day? I know this is my most visited site right now(over Fark), but some of my friends have never heard of it.

It may seem weird, but I think when you see it you will see that it is unique and very catching to the eye. I agree with Tal's Hill though, what a weird idea there.

Why did they have to limit the width of the overhang? If they would have just made that entire section (overhang and RF bleachers) level, then the RF bleachers would be a great place to see the game. Did they not realize this when they contrived this stupid overhang idea? Gimmick gimmick gimmick and a few hundred seats are f'd up because of a gimmick. Other than that, the place looks great. But if they didn't wire speakers into the restrooms, they should blow the place up and start over!

Oh! Does anyone know why they changed the 3rd Ave/5th St 394 access to HOV lane only? (Not that you can't just swing all the way over to get on the regular 394)

Kevin, I agree, it would have been amazing to see it extended for the whole section. I think that if there was a reason they had to do that, or felt they needed to, it would make more sense. But t really is a gimmick, and to me a nice gimmick.

There were definitely not speakers PLAYING in restrooms Didn't see if they were there. Agree this is HUGE.

Did anyone notice if the Pro Shop had either of the Authentic alternate jerseys with player names/numbers on them?

Jimmer, no I did not, but I did notice that a shirt I can buy in town for $18 is seeling for $32 at the pro shop.

Spent 4 hours at the park today. BEAUTIFUL!!! I still can't believe it's finally here :)

Rick I know you commented on this before, but I'm to lazy to dig around for the answer so I'll just ask, starting in what rows in the lower deck have an obstructed view of the scoreboard due to the legends club seats being cantilevered over them. I have seats in row 22 during the Boston series, so I'm just curious. Thanks!!

The rate in the ABC Ramps will be $15.00.

I had a beer in the Twins Pub today and they had Bud, Bud Light, Stella, and Summit on tap.

Row 25 right behind HP was missing the top left corner of the video screen but not as bad as I expected.

I wonder if the "No Brooms" policy will be relaxed for the last game of a series where the Twins have won the previous games.

Coors Field has a "No Brooms" rule, but Brooms are always in the stadium if a sweep is possible that day.

I'm probably going to bring a notebook tomorrow and sit in a lot of sections. Take notes of obstructions and where I personally would never sit. The overhang, at least the back rows, is already on that list.

What is the reason behind having the dugouts boarded up still? Are they not finished yet?

Great pics Luke. Looks like you were spitting some "mad game" at your date judging from a couple of the pics.

I had a very pleasant 6 hours at TF. I recommend getting there in time for the spring training game. If they are not playing the TV29 feed, it will still be nice to listen to the game like today.

The Twin Pubs behind home (above the Legends Club) have $7 bloody marys. The Met club and Town Ball will have domestic taps for $5.25 & bottles for $5.75. I had hot dog, fries and tacos. All OK, but I'm cheap and will bring my cup for water and a sandwich.

I went to the 1st base lounge (as seen in Rick's picture) and it seems to be a place to hide when it rains for the expensive seat fans. There is a place along the rail for the benches, I wonder who those are for & what they cost?

I bought a single ticket in section S for the second Red Sox game (4/14). Oh, I know have all of my tickets!

For those going Sunday, take a picture of yourself in front of the celebration sign by standing on the metal box at the base and point the camera up at waist level.

My day felt dreamy!

Just bought a single ticket to the first row of the Pavillion for the 4/2 Exhibition game. Thanks to whoever posted the work-around for getting those game tickets.

Here are some interesting tidbits from Sid's column today:

Twins tickets hot

According to Twins President David St. Peter, the team has already sold more than 2.4 million tickets for the coming season -- as many as the team sold all last season, when it drew 2,416,237 to the Metrodome.

The Twins will honor the legislative leadership that helped get Target Field built in a pregame ceremony before the exhibition game against the Cardinals on April 3. Former Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum, former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, former Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, former Senate Minority Leader Dick Day and ballpark bill authors Rep. Brad Finstad and Sen. Steve Kelley will be recognized.

It's nice to see the Twins recognize the construction workers and the leaders that pushed this ballpark bill through to make it a reality. Many of the ballpark proponents faced a lot of tough opposition and challenges so its nice to see the ballpark become a reality and the Twins recognize them for their efforts. On the other hand, I just hope some of those major opponents of the ballpark bill such as Larry Pogemiller are not there on Opening Day.

Luke!!!

see 20k people know about you, now that is networking.

A couple of observations from today:

(1) I had the Murray's sandwich and was surprised by how good it was. Steak sandwiches are easy to screw up, but this was pretty good. I'm not sure that I'd want to drop $10.50 on it very often, though.

(2) The Event Suites are pretty cool in that they can accommodate groups of many different sizes by opening and closing side doors that separate each suite.

(3) I would not want to sit in the first two rows behind each dugout. I'm about 6'1" and I couldn't see the baseline. Shorter people would have a serious view problem and kids could hardly see anything (in fact, I heard a kid say to his dad that he couldn't see the field at all due to the dugout). Perhaps the limestone added some height to the top of the dugout and they didn't factor it in. Needless to say, those seats are pretty expensive and I would be pretty disappointed to find that out if I spent that kind of cash.

(4) I also dislike those seats in RF that have half the field blocked by the overhang seats. It seems like such a waste. It would have made more sense to put all the seats at the same level in the area. Either that, or they could have stuck with the picnic area idea that was in some of the original concepts where they had groups of tables and chairs for a family area. I would never want to sit in that section.

The good thing is that those two areas with the obstructed views really won't affect me because I'll never be sitting in either of those spots.

Overall, Target Field is amazing. I really didn't see much that I didn't know about already, but seeing it up close and in-person left me with a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

For April 15, I bought 4 tickets in 316 row 14. These are almost immediately behind home plate. Row 14 is THE last row. Now, my regular seats are 318 row 4 and I am extremely happy with these. My take on row 14 is this: They are about as beautiful a view of Minneapolis as one could ask for. You can see the entire field and all scoreboards. You won't miss a thing. I just pray that it is warm, because row 14 has precisely NO shelter from the wind. It is a different world in that row for sure! It was the one area of the park yesterday that I found uncomfortably cold and that was because of the wind strictly.

I had a Japanese Light Rail dream last night..Thanks folks.

So who all plan to hit up the gopher game? I will prob go at 9am with my gf. Do the gates open at 9am, or just tickets go on sale?

Sorry for the double post but just a quick question about in game magic, when you say message with my name, do you mean the name i wanna post under or my actually name

Gopher tix go on sale at 8am, gates open at 9, game at 1.

I also tried the first row behind the dugouts, and I couldn't tell if the wooden cover would be the only obstruction or if the dugout itself would obstruct, too. A friend who was an electrician on the job told the story of them having to shave a couple inches off the top of the dugout because of their obstructing views.

ABC Ramps are going to charge $13 for Ramp A and Ramp C. and $15 for Ramp B.

Does anybody know if there are any parking discounts for STH? Or any Season Passes for purchase?

Nathan to have Tommy John surgery....

Thanks for the info fiesta

I had a great time yesterday at the open house. I was really disappointed that the Twins did not spend the money to get the nice net behind home plate. I have never seen the "invisible" net in person. But, the net they have definitely isn't it. I cant believe that they would charge 125-175 a ticket for champions club and not have the new net.

Never trust an invisible net :)

Josh,

I plan on parking in one of the ramps that are available right by Target Field.

Nathan to have Tommy John surgery....

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/88759362.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DUs

I guess the thing that bugs me about the RF Bleachers is that the obstructions were, for the most part, avoidable. How can any engineer NOT see that by raising the overhand section would block the view of those who would be sitting to the left? And what's the purpose of segregating the overhang in the first place? Why not have uniform seating in the RF bleacher area? It just doesn't make any sense and only goes to show that "forced" or contrived gimmicks can only come back to bit you in the end.

My bet is that we will see the Twins correct that "mistake" sometime in the coming years.

Now that Nathan will have surgery, the Twins are reportedly looking at Heath Bell of the Padres in a trade...I am certainly against trading someone like Perkins. I mean, get over the scuffle he had with the team last year already, he is a hometown guy with an awesome arm, just look at his stats at the beginning of last year. I would MUCH rather they trade Mijares, that Fat-assed, out of shape, don't give a shit when I get to spring training atitude doesn't fit well with this team. If he don't even give a shit, why should we?

But it looks like the Padres want three or four top prospects as well, plus the moon and the stars. On second thought, Let's just see how Gurrier or Rauch does, then if it isn't working out, explore a trade later. Gurrier has been solid, give him a chance.

Nathan's blown save in the ALDS last year was so painful to watch, Crain could have done that, so if any of the Twins brass is reading this, PLEASE don't chose Crain to close...Trade him and Mijares for Bell or let Gurrier have a try at the closer role, we might all be surprised at how well he could do...

Rick,

Any idea of why the Overlook was blocked off?

Also, I saw Rain Ponchos for sale in the Pro Shop. They were $8, and I think they were the trash bag kind. Can anyone confirm this?

Fred - my bet is that the Twins will continue to sell the Right Field Bleachers at a discounted price and they will leave the section as is. Look at it this way - If you have the obstructed view seats in Section 139 of the RF Bleacher for a cold windy April day - you will have a good view of the infield and you will also have more protection from the wind than anyone else with an outside seat.

The overlook was blocked off due to some ice on the steps, as said. Me and a buddy still got down there like some other people who ignored the roped off caution tape.

Here are some interesting things from an article in the St. Cloud Times (linked above as well)

They have three April home night games scheduled this season: April 17 vs. Kansas City, and April 21-22 vs. Cleveland.

That’s not a lot — but it also nearly equals the total of outdoor April night home games in the franchise’s 49-year history.

During their 21 seasons at the Met, the Twins played a total of four outdoor April night home games — none during their first 16 seasons.

I hate Dave DeLand, he has some good stats in there, but maybe should have attended the Open House this weekend before passing judgment. There are MORE than enough areas to stay warm, and if you bundle up you will be fine.

Tom...I'm no Mijares fan either, but Perkins is complete garbage regardless of where he grew up! At this point he's so bad that no team would want him in any trade. And in order to get Heath Bell or Jason Frasor, neither Mijares nor Perkins will be enough - they'll have to give up one of Billy's prized prospects.

Dave DeLand from the St Cloud Times is an idiot..period.

1. the guide does say whiskbrooms are allowed.

2. How much time do you guys spend in the bathroom?? lol

3. The $8 rain ponchos were indeed just plastic bag type. I would like something better than that for the long season.

4. the food at the open house is totally scaled down so I wouldn't pass judgement on food or beer until the regular season. Case in point - carts not in use this weekend labeled with things I hadn't heard about yet. I'm sure there will be more surprises. :)

5. anyone know anything about inning lights? Someone at my work who lives right by TF seems to have seen some lighting that is suppose to indicate the inning during the game - i think he said spotlight style. I'm not sure if he's on crack, or onto a surprise.

Jax,

When you're my age you'll see your bathroom time increase...And on Sundays if I'm the first one to get the newspaper, I've been known to disappear for over an hour

Here is a better poncho...

I know this is a longshot at this point, but does anyone have a single extra ticket you're not using for today's open house? Pretty please?

Happened to be in Minneapolis yesterday since my choir (I'm from Eau Claire) was performing at 5pm Mass at the St. Mary's Basilica. Not enough time to make the open house, but after we were done I did get my first in-person walk on Target Plaza. As is the case with pretty much everyone, I was beyond blown away by the detail on the Plaza. Even having read this site on a daily basis for the past few years and already knowing almost all the details, seeing them in person (ie. the season pennants, the glove sculpture, the infield dirt) made me truly appreciate the detail the team put in place in building this stadium. And, again, this is just me seeing the Plaza for the first time, knowing most of you have already gotten inside the stadium itself.

A few notes. Even though I've been reading the comments on the site frequently, I can't say I've caught every comment and observation, so these may have already been talked about and answered. Anyway:

-- The bit of traffic noise from 394 reflected down from the overhang roof of the Metropolitan Club. A little odd hearing the sound of cars coming from straight up in the air, but I could tell the sound was hitting the angled roof and bouncing downward towards the plaza. Not a bad thing, just interesting acoustics.
-- Sitting in the glove sculpture, I could see motion scratches in the "seating" area of the glove, like the outer material of the sculpture was being scraped-off by people's belts, keys, whatever is on them as they slide on and off the sculpture. Perhaps the Twins have a plan to touch-up the scratches or apply a different material that is scratch-resistant?
-- There were about 3 of the metal flaps in the wind veil that were stuck at an angle, and all were in the middle of the veil. How do these flaps get unstuck?

Again, looking forward to getting back to spend more time (we were limited by a spare 30 minutes on a parking meter we were fortunate to find, so we had to be brisk) on the Plaza, and, eventually in the stadium. Truly, truly amazing, in every sense of the word.

Perkins is a severe head case and everyone in pro ball knows that. If the Twins could get more than a bucket of spit for him he would already be gone. The only hope is that he wakes up and joins the human race.

lol Kevin, then you'll be all set for a 1 pm gametime on Sundays at least! ;)

the baseball season/spring has officially started today with Dick and Bert on channel 29 today.

kev - the younger folks have traded in their newspapers for smart phones.

Overall, I gave TF a B+ grade. My friend I was with used to live in Philadelphia and compared it a lot to the experience at the Phillies' park. I had to say I kind of agreed. Of the dozen or so parks I've been to, TF is not the best but it's probably in my top 5-8 parks out there. (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Colorado, Minnesota, Philadelphia -- in no particular order.) I'm sure San Fran would be in that list had I ever been there.

We spent a lot of time sitting in seats all over the park, really trying to hunt down the best and the worst. While some seats had some partial field obstructions in the outfield, nothing was bad enough where I thought I would never sit there -- save for the infamous RF bleachers. My biggest surprise was how close you felt to the diamond, even up in the trapezoid and grandstand. Everyone is on top of the action - much like Xcel.

The finishing touches really work in this ballpark - right down to the "classy" way they installed the radiant heating. Town Ball Tavern looks to be a fun place to have a few drinks before the game.

The only real downers: The netting behind the plate is definitely a distraction. Sucks for those paying that $$$ and having to look through it. To get REALLY picky: the hand dryers in the restrooms don't put out enough air - wish they would have installed those Xcelerator ones that feel like they are blowing your skin off when you slide your hands into them.

To sum up: TF's intimacy combined with the bars/restaurants/entertainment next door definitely makes tossing bean bags in a giant parking lot in Milwaukee with your best friend's overweight fiancee and her ugly friend look much more like tossing bean bags in a giant parking lot in Milwaukee with your best friend's overweight fiancee and her ugly friend -- even with a 24-pack of PBR.

WTF Jimmer!!!!!

Jimmer - post FAIL.

Technical difficulties in post 281. :)

Jeez, Jimmer. I haven't seen code like that since the old alt.sex bulletin board days 25+ years ago...

Franky V's meatball sub:
- $8.50 on the main level
- $9.00 on the Legends Club level

did Frankie V make the LC one? lol

I gave up a partial plan in 318 in one of the short rows above the entrances in December. My daughter just reported that had I seen the view of the field and skyline from there, I never would have given them up. :(

Interesting observation - much less of a vertigo feeling from the 3xx level seats than the 2xx seats, which seems counter-intuitive.

My favorite quote of the day so far:
"Sitting in the Champions Club seats is like watching the game from the living room, except there's a whole ballpark in front of you instead of the TV."

Yes, the Franky V's at 122 and Club section R have similar menus, but there is more variety in the Club level version. The meatball sub looks to be the same size, but on different bread. It was reported to be very good.

Just received two hours of "ballpark play by play" from my daughter (after three hours Friday). Waiting for the accompanying boatload of pictures.

For those interested in the bathrooms, those on the Legends Club level are significantly nicer than the other levels.

Also - apparently hot dogs are cheaper on the 2xx/3xx levels than on the main level. Don't know if they were different dogs (suspect so), but $5 on the main level was $3.75 upstairs.

"I really love Coors Field, but Target Field is nicer. Can we move?"

I picked up A flyer at TF that mentions some parking options since someone here asked click name for rge link.

Click my name to see my photos of Target Field from yesterday. Includes views from section 318 if one is interested.

Thanks for the Link LeRoy.

The A Ramp worked great yesterday, but at $15 per game and how knows how long it will take to empty, it is nice to have some other options. It might be a nice walk on a warm summer evening.

Bought tickets for the roof deck for 2 different games, 6/10 and 8/14

If you're a larger person, beware of the Powerball Pavilion seats (all of them) and the front row seats of the Field Terrace. Don't buy them. They have drink holders built onto the front of the seat handles (design flaw)that jut out into the seating area on both sides and the seats are very narrow because of this. I'm big but not that big and I was very uncomfortable - It's a huge (no pun intended) difference than all the other seats in the park and the difference only gets worse when you have people sitting next to you. if this is a duplicate post, forgive me.

For entertainment purposes, If you want to see a bunch of po'd people go hang out above the Power Ball Pavaillion and watch larger people try and settle in their seats if you get bored of shagging fly balls in the right field bleachers.

timb, thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only person who thought that.

Target Field in person is amazing.

I've been following for well over a year here on Ballpark Magic, and the pictures helped prepare me for what I'd see today, but pictures can't do this ballpark justice. You have to see it in person to really get the feel of how awesome it really is.

Just heard from the Metropolitan Club staff that they will be announcing a Mauer signing 8yrs 23 million a year

Oh brother . . . Another Mauer signing rumor.

Lol jp... They said an announcement in the next 10 min or so... The dude was an employee, so we'll see

yeap...8 years, 184 million

Where would this announcement be coming from? How will one hear about it?

Buster Olney from ESPN is also reporting that a deal may be done soon...although he didn't saying HOW soon.

It sounds like this latest Mauer stuff is legit. Both Buster Olney (ESPN) and Ken Rosenthal (FOX Sports) say Mauer's agent arrived in Fort Myers today and that there are strong indications that a deal is in the final stages.

Go check JoeCStrib on Twitter... It's real

8 years, 140 million according to FSN wild post-game

No trade clause for all 8 years.

or was it 184?

Mauer's Details:

8 year
$184 million
Full no-trade clause

Joe Christenson is reporting $184 million.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!

Press conference is tomorrow at 6 p.m. CT it sounds like.

I'd be interested to know if they announced this at Target Field.

who?!

kinda cracked me up they have a drink rail underneath the grandstand, what a great place to lean and have a drink and look at the bottom of the grandstand cement.

Can someone explain the details of a no-trade clause

it says it will occur at the Lee County Sport's Complex. Would be cool to have it done at TF though!

great way to round out the day that started w/ unfortunate Nathan news.

i believe no-trade clause means literally the Twins cannot trade Mauer without his consent.

i believe no-trade clause means literally the Twins cannot trade Mauer without his consent.

timb and luke,

That was another reason why I so badly wished the outfield seats were actually bleachers. Not the tinny crappy bleachers they installed in LF and RF, but nice wood bleachers like we had at the Met. You ass didn't sizzle on wood bleachers like they will on those metal tin cans at TF. Nor did your ass turn to ice when it was cold. WOOD DAMMIT, WOOD! I want to see wood!!! Now don't any of you prudes take that the wrong way!

It's a full no-trade clause which seems to mean he needs to approve any trade. If it had been a partial one, he likely would have had a list of teams that the Twins could trade him to.

Well, maybe it will be a Mauer Chev advertisement on the trap board in right-center.

Spring has arrived, outdoor baseball is back, and Mauer will not be wearing Scankee pinstripes on the foreseeable future. All's well in the world.

Good deal for both sides.
Twins probably spent a little more than they would have liked and Joe probably took a little less than he could have got with red sox, yankees.

i called that one Kevin! lol it would be funny if it happened now..

Jimmer is the man! You reported it here first! Meet at the flagpole on opening day for a free prize along with all the other folks who spotted the next Horizontal Canopy Support Beam as they were being lifted into place. I hope the Mauer signing doesn't signal the end of competitive Twins team starting in 2011.

What a day!

Target Field was amazing, and Joe Mauer signs an extension that will make him a Minnesota Twin through 2018.

Awesome!

I like the "Target Field" facebook page's post:

Well, it seems to be fairly official: The Twins on Monday will announce an 8-year, $184 million (yes, that's $23 per year) contract extension with Joe Mauer. Let's all stand, turn toward the east, extend our middle fingers and scream "Tough shit, assholes" as loudly as we can so that all the people in New York and Boston can hear!

Erik -

My thoughts exactly. First I see how wonderful Target Field really is, then Joe Mauer signs right after I get home.

Jimmer, sorry for being the original doubting Thomas here. ;-) You were right!

so much for realism on MLB The Show.. The announcers on here haven't said a word about the signing... :d

Mauer signs, beautiful weather in Minnesota, Twins win!

Scott Baker, already named the Twins' Opening Day starter, struck out three, walked one and gave up one hit in five innings.

Joe Mauer went 2 for 4 with a run scored, boosting his spring training batting average to .470, and Justin Morneau singled, reached base on a fielder's choice and walked. Michael Cuddyer went 3 for 3 with an RBI single and a two-run home run off Rays reliever Richard De Los Santos.

Twins designated hitter Jim Thome went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI

Other than needing a closer, things couldn't look any better.

I was absolutely flabbergasted by how many people were buying that overpriced food at Target Field today with real restaurants five minutes away. I guess everybody is not just hungry for outdoor baseball. I saw everything in about an hour. What did some of you do to kill four or five hours without a game going on???

Badjuggler, do you find enjoyment on attempting to pee on people's happiness or what?

Well friends,
I finally made it through all (on the order of a thousand or so) of my Open House images. Saved the best and most detailed. They are now posted for your enjoyment. Many new items shown. I got a shot of the art in the transit hub, some of the many images located in the Legends Club, and many many awesome panoramas from all different areas of the park that are great for desktop wallpapers (or if you choose to print and make an actual wallpaper, the file sizes are large enough for a large room).

We had to sit in every section. duh!

directed @ badjuggler, by the way.

What a day!

Loved every part of the stadium that my 7 year-old would allow me to see (he's mainly interested in the light rail and commuter rail trains). Very happy with my seats (section Q) - happily, the center-of-the-aisle rail does not obstruct the view in the slightest. As has been said - there are no (or almost no) horrible seats in this park.

As Rick mentioned, the split upper deck gives the upper concourse a wide-open feel, even if you can't actually see the game from the beer queue. Didn't make it into the warming houses on the upper concourse - how were those?

Here's my silly question - will the escalator pairs always be one up-going and one down-going, or will they all go up at start-of-game, and all go down at end-of-game? It seems to me that if there's only one down-going escalator from the club level to the main level on the 3rd base side, it might become a bit of a logjam at game's end, unless people in the upper deck along 3rd base traipse over to the ramp on 7th.

Overall a fabulous afternoon - can't wait for Apr 12!

Expectorate, there are 3 escalators. I suspect they may do 2 in one way and 1 in the other depending on which way has the most traffic at any specific time. Just suspecting.

great pictures jared. do you mind me asking what camera/lenses you use?

TwinsTerritory--

Unless they announced it after 5pm, they didn't saying anything at Target Field this afternoon. I heard about it a few minutes before 5, and the only announcement they had was that the open house was coming to a close, please get out.

jpberka,

There are 3 on the 1st base side going from main level to club level, but only 2 on the 3rd base side.

I decided to walk around Target Field today(not a STH),hoping to find a door not being staffed, starting at 5th St/3rd Ave N. I got all the way around to the Plaza gate when I noticed people just wandering in and out, no TF staff to be found. So, I sauntered in, duh.

My thoughts:
1)The one thing that pictures or video can NOT do justice is just how massive the Minneapolis skyline looks from the 3rd base side. It's awesome.

2)I knew it would be this way, but it will be hard to see any of the actual game if you have SRO tickets on the Budweiser Roof Deck. Of course, you can always watch the MEGAJUMBOTRON. Just...wow.

3)The Twins Pub(not sure which level, but on the 1st base side) is...odd. It said that any person with a ticket could go in there, but who's it really for?

I'll post more thoughts when I think of them. I'm still giddy.

2)

How many of you noticed that there are several different seat widths? My wife and I identified as many as four in a single row - as much as four inches from narrowest to widest. This is no better than the Dump and a huge disappointment in an otherwise excellent park.

No at all MGM. I use a Canon xSi body and swap out the standard canon 18-55mm IS and a Sigma 70-300mm lens. I use Photoshop CS4 for post-processing, which usually consists of no more than a tweak here or there and/or a crop. Sometimes I like to mess with the images but for the most part they have little to no processing. The recent panoramas are all done in Photoshop CS4. Some of my earlier ones were made in a lesser software and you can tell. I have since redone them in PS CS4 and am debating whether to repost. It's not much but for my small budget I am able to get dang near all the shots I want. Then again, I am relatively new and am exploring all different types of photography.

Chad, what do you mean about the Twins Pub? You ask who it is really for. It is for anyone that wants to go in and buy a drink and enjoy themselves.

Jpberka,

I guess it just seems weird that someone on that level would want to sit in the bar, even though they have a seat.

Very true Kev, I can see your point. Sitting on those RF bleachers at 3pm yesterday...not fun.
I do believe they are selling seat cushions in the Twins store, aren't they?

spring training stats and records mean squat......I remember the twins had the best spring training record one of the years they barely won 70 games in the 80s

The real test is now they are not a artificial surface team......and punto is going to be the next cesar tovar and play all 9 positions on his birthday.....(he must be related to someone related to the pohlads or something......)

it's no surprise that the seat sizes vary (see link). My fat ass fits in my seat so that's all I care about. :D

Chad, I think most people will get drinks and go back to their seats. On a cool day, people might warm up there for a few minutes before going back to their seats. I don't see most people staying in there more than a few minutes during the actual game with some exceptions.

Fabulous time at TF today. There are a ton of different "neighborhoods" in the ballpark, and it should be fun to visit them all during the course of a year or two.

The only seats that are completely unacceptable to me at any price are the low numbered seats next to the overlook in the right field bleachers, and anything in the Powerball pavilion due to extreme seat narrowness. I seriously think they will have to pull out the pavilion seats after a couple of season and install bleachers or something different.

I found my upper concourse shelters, and they are the lovely Twins Pub(s). It seemed to me like two identical areas right at home plate. They are going to get filled up fast on a cold night, but they are great. The press box is actually down the first base line, which is what was throwing me off.

The food choices that had not yet entered my field of vision were the wild rice soup and the Vincent burger, though it sounds to me like the V burger might just be a fancy lucy, and won't have braised pork in the center. For $12 they should give me the real thing!

I'm in row 14 of the upper deck for opening day, and whoever said to bundle up is right! The wind will blow through there, though they could be the most comfortable seat in the house on hot summer days.

This reminds me of the day when Garnett signed for $125 million as the Timberwolves put all their eggs in one payroll basket and then the Wolves went on to win five NBA championships. We will not look back at this day with regret in any way, shape or form.

Go Twins!

I have a seat 24 in the 1st row of the Pavillion for the April 2nd game, and I didn't notice that the seat was smaller than normal. I do have a railing right in my field of view, but I think they did a good job of making them as small as possible. At least it's not a large tube right in my face.

That came out wrong.

Disappointed to hear that about the Powerball Pavilion seating. Bought tickets to take my dad to a game out there for his birthday and we're both over 6 feet tall. Plus he has a bad knee so he needs more leg room. We're on the aisle right against the trees, so hopefully it won't be too bad for him. Hopefully I can check out that seating next weekend and decide whether to keep the tickets or sell them and get him something else.

Buffalo,

I'm 6'1", and I didn't have a problem with the Pavillion. Unless you're 6'4"+, it should be fine. (Now you're going to say you're 6'4"+)

Just got back and the Northstar is Dabomb from Big Lake..My wife luved it and so did I...Pain free and relaxing..My 306 Row 1 seats are incredible for the price as is my 109 Row 11's..Driving home from Big Lake heard the Mauer signing..What a great way to end the day @ Target Field..It's kinda funny people around you chatting about the ballpark...Lot's of experts out there.Anyone see the table tops at Hrbeks? I'll try and post a pic up later..

Buffalo -- really? My son and I are both 6', and we felt the narrowness in the pavilion seats immediately. However, it is interesting the people are reporting different seat widths even in the same row.

In any case, I do hope I'm wrong, and I would encourage folks to try different sections before or after games just to get a feel for the place. Out of 39,504 seats, there are only probably a couple of hundred that I think are problematic, and there are so many cool places to hang out during the game that even if I got one of those seats, it wouldn't keep me from enjoying the game.

Linc,

The Twins page that details seating options does say that the Pavillion ranges from 20"-22", whatever that means. My seat was on the aisle, and I had no problem. I didn't sit in any other Pavillion seat, though.

Linc-

You nailed it. No matter WHERE someone's seats are, the fact is that we will be outside and under the sun/stars. If you're not completely satisfied with your seat location, you can always enjoy the game by wandering around the park and viewing it from different areas.

I'm a small guy,but the stairs in many sections are on the narrow side. The width of stairs/walkways just seemed tight.

[IMG]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m317/Iwazzabadboy/2010_0321TargetFieldOpenHouse0093.jpg[/IMG]

Lenny Faedo! I haven't heard that name in forever.

Hrbek looks like he's about 13 in that picture.

Remember the Pavilion consists of 4 separate sections. I have sec 132 row 1, seat 4 and 5 for a game. I sat in those seats yesterday and didn't have any issues. They seemed to be the same width as all of the other seats I tried out yesterday.

Section 227 on the other hand has some serious problems. That is the last terrace level section on the third baseline. I have a 33 waist and literally touched both sides of the seat as I lowered myself into it. It is a small section, but every seat in the front row is very small. I would not have fit if I were any wider.

I did not check, but I would think that this section has to have some type of warning. Again, the seat width varies by row. The fourth row consists of only two seats and both were normal sized.

Fantastic panos/photos Jared.

Linc,

I am also over 6' and had no problem sitting in pavilion seats. I actually think it will be a nice place to watch the game.

The overlook tickets seats are going to be the best outfield seats. You are right on the field and still have a great angle to see the scoreboard.

I didn't notice the smaller seats in the Pavilion although I did in section 302. Wow, gonna be a bit tight for some!

I will say this though about the Pavilion: if you are going to a day game in the summer and it's gonna be hot, the Pavilion will keep you cool as the second deck is above you so you're in shade the entire time.

I'll also say that a lot of seats in row 1 have the safety bars at a bad level and people are going to be disappointed. If you're buying single game tickets I suggest going row 3 or higher if you can and get a seat number of 3 or middle of the pack. Big difference to the better.

Other thoughts:

- didn't hear any radio sound from the restrooms.
- food and drink options will be everywhere once they have the mobile carts set up,
- big temperature difference when in the sun vs. not, not a surprise, but something to consider.
- a few, flat out bad seats that maybe they should not have put in.
- that wind is going to howl in the upper deck. How long until they try to block it at a 6' level?

I give TF an A-, but when considering the tiny space they had to work with it's a solid A and a real gem (and similar) to the parks in Pitt and SF.

TF, when full, is going to be absolutely incredible.

K

Outside of the skyline being much larger in person, my biggest surprise is when you're sitting in right field, and just how straight up and down the upper decks feel. It's no wonder they could fit it in that small space.

like i said in my original post, the powerball pavillion and first row of the field terrace seats are embarrisingly narrow. me and my friend just laughed - it's GONNA be an issue if your overweight. if your tall, short and/or skinny - it's a non-issue (were talking about seat-width not leg room). if you have an aisle seat, it's much better because you only have one cup holder jutting into your seat space but if you have a seat with two cupholders on both sides of you - not good at all. guaranteed the things will be gone sooner than later (they seem to be attached to the seat arm rest as 1 piece so if they put regular arm rests on those seats, they'll be fine). what was really amusing is they were also in the first row of the field terrace seats which people have to pay a $5 upcharge for? nice.

Sue Nelson, the Twins organist, will play the ballpark organ from the Twins pub, so that is a nice feature to the pub.

It's more so another place to hang out and avoid the elements, if needed.

Steve - I noticed the table tops at Hrbek's as well and even pointed them out to my dad. Simply amazing the small details the Twins put into this project.

That's it...rip out all the seats, make them wider in the grandstand. Replace all outfield seats with benches and I'll bet that the seating capacity will be the same or close to the same as it is now. That way, everyone knows where to sit. Those with petite bods can tan themselves on the bleachers in the outfield. All the wideloads can sit in the wide seats or buy 2 bleacher tickets - one for each cheek. Is it so hard for these geniuses to figure this stuff out before they build?

Now, did anyone check for speakers in the restrooms???? Oh and TTH, I totally agree with hand dryers. I really do like those ones where you slide your hands down - they actually work! and they keep the bathrooms clean of paper towel garbage everywhere....YES I KNOW I'M VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT SHITTERS.

Well, as long as there is lively chat tonight, I'll throw in a few more observations. If I remember right there is a large rectangular bar out on the left field concourse, with handy drink rails for watching the game. You can position yourself for a clear view of the game, and just turn around to get your next brew. Those positions will go fast.

There is also a drink rail on the wall right next to what I assume are the center field cameras. However, the wall is so high there that you'll need to be in the neighborhood of 6 foot to see the game from there. I guess all of the big guys with small seats can stand there!

The beer vendors in the left and right field terraces are going to make a ton of money and have to spend it on robotic quads and calves. Those are some steep stairs.

There better be some kick ass air conditioning in the Met Club if that is going to keep up in the summer. It was warm in there today!

I wonder if they are going to have a golf cart for the relievers, or if they are going to jog in from center field?

What will happen at the press conference?

I can confirm there are speakers in the restrooms, they were not tuned in to the spring training game today, but am thinking that will change when there is an actually game being played at Target Field.

I was also thrilled to see so many TV's throughout the ballpark, especially in the lower level mounted below the legends club seats from above. It's nice to stand in the open concourse and see the playing field as well as the TV views.

Kev,

I'm happy to report two things to you:

1. The shitter count is sky high and easily accessible.

2. There's a whole lotta good food, and there ain't any need for tailgating.

So many posts on here, so little time... I had to go back and look at everyone's photos. Great pics everybody...All I gotta say... JONI LOVES LUKIE!

TTH - come on now. This was only our second date.
Committment won't come for a while :). Surely, you know how relationships work.

Click on my name for pictures from both the Legends Club and Season Ticket Open Houses this weekend. I've tried to include areas I haven't seen well represented in pictures posted to date.

To the person that was concerned about the view from the first two rows of the Dugout Box seats - looks like the frame of the plywood cover is 4 inches above the dugout - doesn't really appear that there will be any view obstruction once the dugouts are opened.

Ben - all modern ballparks have rows with different width seats, especially in sections that are curved. The seat sizes on the Twins web site are minimums. I've seen this in quite a few parks, so I'm not surprised. The smaller seats aren't that much smaller.

Details of the Hrbek's table tops in my picture set above.

Great pictures jfh!

No golf cart for relievers, sound from the radio broadcasts will be in the restrooms.

A lot of concession stands ran out of food items today; hopefully this will provide some data for the Opening Series - it's going to be a bummer if there are shortages then.

I remember when Coors Field ran out of ice during the summer Yankees series - not cool.

Health Care Reform passed...

Wow! I get to wave my chosen finger at both the Yankees and Michele Bachmann on the same day!

okay, great day. me and my 5 year old son enjoyed our first hot dog a target field today and i had a beer! i loved alomst everything , the powerball seats were to small for my fat azz but thats ok cuz i dont have seats there, murrys steak sammy ok, alot of the food servers are kinda um.. ghetto.. lol man i had some issues when i got my girl a brat i wated 15 mins after i paid for it to get it then it was cold but i dont care they get a few warm ups right?

i took a dump for the first time at TF it was a beautiful thing! my girl thought i was nits for being so proud about that!

no sound in te shitter kev, sorry!

Thanks Steve!

I have to say, we tried to sit in many of the sections this weekend and i didn't really have any issues with them. Granted I am a slender 6-6 so I am going to be able to fit/see most anywhere anyway. My girlfriend though, is 5-5 if she is lucky and did point out that sitting behind the dugout and in the first rows of a couple of sections are hard for her to see the "field". I told her to try to imagine the players on the field and you won't notice that you can't see a batters shins and feet and when you need to see the plate on a close play, more than likely you will be sitting up or in the process of standing to see better anyway. She stood and agreed that it wouldn't be so bad. She really psyched herself out in some of those lower level seats along the baselines (because of how close they appeared) and home run porch upper level seats (for how steep the rise appears) and I can see why. I know the Dome had a steep incline but the TF incline seems steeper. I guess it won't matter much for us since our seats are all left field bleacher seats. All in all its really not so bad, especially considering the lot size restrictions the builders had. They really did well with what they had and in the end they are nothing more than just quirks that every park will have. I am very happy with the outcome.

I have to say that the only time I felt major vertigo was in the way upper deck of left field, adjacent to the Rooftop. If you look down from there, you see at least 3 different levels, and it fucked with my eyes.

Linc, Here is my view of the plate from that center field drink rail. lol (click my name for the link, Linc haha)

Mauer signed and Healthcare reform passed. Like 'em or not, at least they are done.

As far as the crappers go, I was pissed to see they went with the lame pull down towel dispensers again...those sucked at the dome, and they will probably suck at TF.

Congrats to you Maz on christening a Target Field shitter. Everytime I see the skyline view from the left side of the grandstand, my sphincter twitches at the view of the magnificent shitstack. Hopefully the odorous HERC plant will mask my business in the restroom so others can join me in enjoying the voice of John Gordon over the speakers as we fight constipation.

jfh I love your line on running out of ice at Coors Field. Not Cool. LOL Very very obviously so. ;-)

Maz - did you follow the rules? (see link for picture)

It's odd that they went the route of water-conservation, but didn't do away with paper towels.

A John Gordon classic on the radio broadcast today: "The Twins got some bad news today, closer Joe Namath out for the season"

Lol he didn't....did he? Oh Gordo....

Looks like I'm not the only one who recognized that the Twins HAD to re-sign Mauer. From Jayson Stark (ESPN):

It had to happen.....

It took a realization on all sides that Joe Mauer had to be a Twin, forever and ever.

Did anyone sit in the first row of the LF bleachers? If you did, how high was the fence? Could you see over it easily or when you sat was your line of view obstructed?

Ole,

I sat in the first row bleachers and they were great. The fence was not as high and you will have not problem putting your feet up and seeing the whole field.

The only bad thing about the seats is that there is no way to see a replay. It looks like a nice place to put a big hd sceen is on the side of the admin biulding. People in the section would just have turn to their right to get replays.

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I really really really want to e-mail jpberka

Let it go, Fred. You were/still are wrong. So is Stark. Let's all just be happy that Mauer is a lifelong Twin!!

Thanks for the heads up on "sneaking" in, Natron. It was so easy! I strolled in and stayed for a few hours yesterday. Man, what a great time to be a Twins fan!

...and I suppose Jon Paul Morosi is wrong as well?? ;)

"The deal had to happen. And it finally did."

I'm extremely happy that Mauer will be with the hometown club...although I'm not really suprised, because I knew that the Twins HAD to get a deal done. :) Sorry, couldn't resist.

Yes. He is wrong, too.

Click for my album on Facebook from the open house yesterday.

JFH,

nope i broke that rule, i flush a few times its something I call a "courtesy flush" I had my own HERC plant going on after that beer and hot dog ifyouknowwhatimean!

Good Bad and the Ugly!

The Good: Target field is full of life and is better in person than any of the pictures can do justice.

The Bad: View from Centerfield is plagued by a ridiculous cement wall with drink rails. Why not have a reasonable height rail like the Party Deck so you can view the game. You have to be 6 feet to reasonably see over it.

The Ugly: I still can't belive the architects put bleachers in right field. You can't see $hit from those seats and that is not exaggerated. I sat down there and just laughed. That's embarrasing.

The Very Ugly: The end of First Base line is awful. It's one thing to sell non season tickets in the Right Field bleachers but a whole other thing to rip someone off charging for seats at the end of the First Base line. Again, you can't see crap. We've discussed this before, but what the hell?

We went up to the bud party deck and was not impressed, there is a small azz bar up there that will be overwelmed all game.. but if you can get in there for only 10 bucks i guess it is worth it. i sat in my seats in the LF bleechers and loved them and hated them.. loved the area, the bullpen directly to my left, hated the fact that i had no sun.. screw the scoreboard I want sun.. but thats ok i knew what I was getting into when i picked them.

i really wish it was open today so i can go down with out the kids and the lady and get my ninja on..they kinda hold you back a lil bit as most of you probably figured out.."daddy I dont care what that old man in AZ wants you to look at" they just wanted ice cream ...

i dont know what to think about hrbeks, it was full of people when i was in there, but still had no vibe.. maybe cuz they were not serving but i dont know... twins pubs had great views but i can see those being hard to get into all year , they are really small...

the met club was.. well if you want to have a wedding reception... do it there! it was pretty fancy looking..i felt under dressed.

When does everybody plan on getting in line for the gophers game on Saturday? Also, has anyone heard what the ticket limit is?

Joe117 - thanks for letting me know - I have tix for 5 games in the first row and was curious. I'm ok with not seeing the replays - I knew I wouldn't be able to. I've survived games at Fenway and Wrigley without it!

25,000 for the Gophs game. I'm wondering the same thing about the line. I really don't want to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get in line bit will if I have to!

Fred ---

There is a nice, sleepy little village somewhere in need of your services - why apply here?

hey mazaratirick

i too am in the lf bleachers and was extremely satisfied with the amount of sun. what row are you in? i am in row 6 of section 130 and by 2 o'clock the sun hit my seats by 4 it was in my eyes. As we get deeper into summer the sun will get there faster.

It's hard for me to believe that you'd have to get to TF super early this Saturday to get tickets. Even if they limit a person to 8 tickets, that would mean 3000 people would be waiting in line by 8am. It will probably sell out by the game time, but a lot of people won't even be there for the game, just the open house.

Ben-

You'll have to admit that it is kind of strange that most everyone in the national media, Twins-fandom and the Twins, themselves, realized that a deal had to happen, and was going to happen eventually...and yet you and a few others still cling to the wierd notion that it would be somehow 'OK' for the Twins to let a player, who just might be the best player ever from this state, and could very well be the best player in all of baseball at the moment, leave over a couple of million dollars. Because that's all it really came down to. I'm fairly positive that the Twins realized, and accepted the fact that they would need to spend this kind of money given all these facts that we know of:

1. The taxpayers of Hennepin Cty helped finance a new ballpark that the Twins say they needed to sign (and keep) a solid roster together that would allow them to compete.
2. This will be the first season in that new ballpark.
3. Their best player, who might also be the best player in all of baseball is up for a new contract (see fact #1)
4. Their best player just happens to be a Minnesota-boy.
5. Their best player is the face of the franchise.
6. Their best player has already made it known (to everyone, including Ron Shapiro, his agent) that he wants to play in Minnesota for the duration.

Given all this, how can you POSSIBLY come to any other conclusion that the deal HAD to happen? No nead to rehash your arguments, I know where you were coming from. The one thing you didn't consider is the fact that Mauer never had any intention of going anywhere else, unless the Twins came in with a ridiculously low-ball offer that wasn't anywhere near to market value, which we all knew wasnt' going to happen.

Question on the RF Bleacher seats:

From the 'Stadium View' on twinsbaseball.com, it appears that the only area that is obstructed from those sitting in the bleachers in deep center and right field. However, you still have a decent view on the infield (if you look around the foul pole) and a complete view of left field. Is that correct?

Mauer will be us for the next nine seasons. The way Selig is running the league - the last five years of Joe's contract will be a steal for the Twins. I'll bet that the Yankees would be willing to pay him close to 40 Million in another 4-5 years.

A few observations from a surprise (just walked right in with no ticket) tour of TF on Saturday:

- I concur regarding that drink rail/wall above the batters eye. I'm 6' tall and it seemed ridiculously high. I have no idea why they put the wall that high.

- The LF bleachers were a WAY better seat than I thought they would be. Unless you are in the back couple of rows you could see a lot of sky and they are nice and low to the field.

- Even at the top of the view level, you don't seem to far from the field.

- That being said, the seats in the first row of the view level were very narrow, as stated above.

- The skyline is just amazing. Pictures really can't do it justice.

- With no net and sitting so low, there are going to be some hot shots coming to those in the dugout box seats.

- The Legends Club seats are absolutely amazing. Best place to sit in the park without a doubt.

- Hrbek's and Town Ball Tavern were wonderfully detailed and will be a great place to grab a drink.

- 573, Puckett and Carew clubs are also very nice.

- Every balcony/place with expansive view outside the park (Town Ball, Puckett, Carew, 573, etc) have one thing in common: Nothing overly interesting to look at.

- Great drink rails on both upper and lower concourses in left field foul territory outside the admin building. This will be a great place to catch and inning or two.

- Concourses are clean, wide and have an overwhelming amount of concessions.

Great job on attention to detail. Fabulous ballpark.

At first glance, I would put this ahead of The Cell and Oriole Park but probably behind AT&T.

Just talked on the phone with a rep for a while regarding Bud Deck tickets. There is no availability for Saturday games until maybe September. Meh.

Just ordered Rooftop Deck tickets for the Thursday July 17 game against Colorado. Even if the view for SRO isn't going to be great, being up there for a game is just too good an opportunity to pass up, especially for a day game.

Great facts, Fred. They are all true. You are still wrong. Now do us all a big favor and let it go. We're all happy that Mauer signed!!

Now I suppose the conversations in the front office turn to Nathan's replacement. Bell? Frasor? A random in-house candidate? Liriano?

Alright Margaret Thatcher, everyone else is wrong...you and Ben are right. :).

Consider it "dropped."

JP,

You said you are in 130 row 6. What seats are you in and do you have a 40 game package? Email me if this sounds right.

Rick,

I have season tickets in the same row as you (237) Row 1. What season ticket plan did you get?

i have 13-14 games of a 20 game package (package "d" iirc) i'm splitting with my brother and my ladyfriend, seats 5-6.

...Patiently waiting for Rick's next post...

In the mean time, absolutely agree that the 1st row in the 200 and 300 Levels were unacceptably narrow due to the cupholders on the armrests. I would much rather sit a few rows back.

While the ballpark is gorgeous for the most part, there are absolutely some design faux-pas that should not be discounted. Now these may have been necessitated by the desire to squeeze 40K seats into a shoebox, but some of them seem like they were easily avoidable.

Went down and sat in 102, Row 3 (which is 4 seats that make up the entire 1st row of this section). The 4th seat (furthest toward the OF wall) was an obscenely poor seat. In fact, I hope the person who bought it for their STs only has a left leg. Otherwise they will be cursing the Twins for selling/installing that seat. Throwing salt in the wound with a 1st row premium on top of the ticket price ($10?).

I would concur that the Legends Club is the best dollar for dollar value at Target Field (followed closely by the Overlook and LF Bleachers). Reminded me a lot of the Club Level at AT&T Park in San Francisco. I thought it was interesting that there was a price difference (and not the direction you'd expect) on things in the Club Level versus the Main Level as jfh noted. In fact, I noticed this as well and caught a Delaware North Exec in the concourse to ask him about this. He appeared genuinely surprised and completely unsure of why this might be.

I was disappointed they ran out of a variety of concessions. This had better not be an amateur operation starting on April 12th. No team could possibly have had more time to prepare and train their staff. Multiple open houses, a Gophers game next Saturday, and 2 Exhibitions...

im in row 11...again im not really complaining im the last 2 seats next to the bullpen so i picked them higher up by a row or two so i had that to look at atleast ...

View to the left of my seats if I stand up

+

I loved these seats and want to get them next year

+

I am in section 102, row 22 and couldn't be more thrilled with my seats/view. It's going to be a little chilly being in the shade during April/September day games, but at least the shade will be nice come June/July/August when its hot and humid.

There are no obstructed views from these seats. You can see the entire field, both dugouts, bullpens, out of town scoreboard, main video board, press box, and roof deck with no problem. I purposely select seats in the middle of the section in the middle of the row to avoid those quirks that come with end seats/front rows/end of sections, etc. I also try to avoid aisle seats to avoid getting up all game for people to walk through. I would rather sit in the middle of the aisle for that reason.

All in all, I think this is going to be a great ballpark. One of the things that surprised me most was how steep some of those upper deck sections are.

I didn't like row 6 in the field terrace seating area as the Twins pub is literally two feet behind your seat. It will most likely be loud and obnoxious for those fans sitting in those last rows of the field terrace in front of the Twins Pub(sections 214-216) I am sure plenty of beer will be spilled on those fans as well.

I was disappointed in the concession service, but that is understandable as they are simply volunteers who were training. Afterall, this was a "test run" for those folks as well. For that reason, I will pass judgement on concessions until they are operating and functioning at 100%.

Yay! it's a great day for me today

Gopher Game: My buddies are thinking we'll show up at TF around 10 am to get tickets. With last weekend's open house, I don't think many people will be clamoring to get into TF. That is our take at least.

My season tickets still haven't showed up. My rep (who is worthless) said that they all should have shipped by last week. He said not to get worried until April if they haven't shown up by then. Yeah right man. If I don't have them in a couple days I will start to worry.

Max, I hope they don't raise their prices now that the Delaware exec is Wellaware of the price discrepancy.
I didn't really notice the narrowness but thought the rails were way too high in the first row of 200 level seats. I have a friend who must be 6 foot 4 at least, who bought those seats and thought they were obstructed. The rails in the first row of Legends Club seemed only mildly annoying to me. The top horizontal bar was a little short of the infield in my range of vision, whereas on 200 level it was just short of the pitching mound. Luckily the diamond box rails were not an obstruction since the incline is so gradual.

I forgot to mention that The Truth Hurts may have had the post of the month last night with his linked pic of everyone's pal Luke & Joni...

We have not received our season tickets either but I thought I read somewhere on here the end of last week that they should all be shipped out by Tuesday 3/23.

Hello all. I have read all the posts about how narrow the first rows are due to the cup holders. I'm in row 1 of 225 and I thought the same. Not to happy about that. The funny thing is, I have pictures from last fall from our seats and there was differant rail and cup holders in front of you on the concrete. And seats with no cup holders. I'll try to post those pictures.

Maz, Thank you for posting those pics. I'm in 207 and haven't seen those posted yet. I'm glad you liked that spot. Only $20 apiece, I think it may be the best value in the joint.

Is the narrowness in those front rows a matter of the seat's width from armrest to armrest or is it the narrowness from the edge of the seat to the concrete barrier?

Am I late in mentioning this in Sinker's blog?:

***

One more thing: You can get Twins-Cardinals exhibition tickets on the Twins website, but there's a trick to doing it. Here's the deal:

If you go to the Twins schedule and click on the "T" for those games, you'll be told they're sold out.

But if you click on a game for which tickets remain and then click on the word "schedule" -- top middle of the page -- you'll be taken to a different calendar. Click on the "T" in that calendar, and there are tickets remaining for both games. As of Sunday night, for example, you could get two tickets in Section 119, Row 24 for the second exhibition.

I'm guessing this is simply a glitch that may well be fixed. But, for now, you can consider it a Section 219 Exhibition Special. Seriously, credit for this find goes to commenter "Buffalo" on Rick Prescott's BallparkMagic blog, which has great photos from the weekend.

Jax,

Ha, that's exactly how I got my one ticket to the Friday exhibition game. Neat little trick.

the met club was.. well if you want to have a wedding reception... do it there! it was pretty fancy looking..i felt under dressed.

Posted on March 22, 2010 at 10:14 AM by mazaratirick

It's funny you mention that, because that is exactly what I'm doing. Ceremony in the Champions Club and reception in the Metropolitan Club. It's reasonably priced too (except the booze, but I'm going to argue with them about that one).

Thanks for the tip. I just bought 4 tickets for the Saturday Cardinals game on the lower deck, right midway on the 1st baseline.

I've actually got some Friday Exhibition tickets for sale if anybody is interested (8 together). I've got them on StubHub for $80 but obviously take less for someone on here. E-mail me if interested.

Mort, I hope you had a good experience booking TF for your wedding and reception. A friend of mine is the manager of non-baseball event sales for the Twins (a newly created position since they didn't have any space to sell in the dome) and was probably the person you worked with to book the event.

Faber, are you talking about David Christie?

Yep.

locker do you think it is to late to change to that sec? is it 207? it was a great view on the lower part of the split upper deck? only and 10 rows i would say

i have not got my season tickets either and im getting pissed

Pulled the tarps back off today. Field is really looking good, nice and green.

Could the currently blank sign above the Trap end up being Pepsi? They are not currently represented in the park and it seems almost impossible that the soft drink sponsor wouldn't have some major signage.

Small world... I know Dave through a common friend of ours. How do you know Dave?

He was at the NSC for quite a while I think, but what a great opportunity he has now, working for the Twins organization.

Nice of Howard Sinker to give some credit there. He seriously didn't have to do that. Kind of impressed.

That also works for other games too by the way. I saw tickets for the last game of the Red Sox series available too when I originally posted that, but wasn't sure if that was a hot ticket or not.

Dave and I go way back from his days at the National Sports Center. I'm totally psyched for him, the Twins couldn't have hired a better guy. He will bend over backwards to make sure people have a good experience.

We haven't been dealing with Dave. The guy we have been dealing with has been kind of slow with responding to emails, unfortunately. Apparently they still don't have contracts figured out for weddings, so we still need to get that wrapped up, also frustrating. I believe that Dave was the guy we first emailed, but then we were handed off to our current contact.

If the responsiveness of our current contact doesn't improve, maybe we will have to request to work with Dave to finalize everything.

Buffalo, not only that, it makes you look pretty rad.

Good luck to you Mort. I remember reading somewhere that Howard Sinker is actually going to have the first wedding at TF.

Got home from a visit to the in-laws this weekend and had my tickets for the April 15 game waiting for me! I'm in the skyline deck, section 2, row 14, which I believe is the last row of that section. I'm pretty sure I'll be under the overhang. I still think those skyline deck sections may be the best value for the location in TF.

I received in the mail today the single game tickets I ordered over the phone on Saturday the 13th.
...In case anybody is keeping track...

And, a big thanks to all who posted pictures from this past weekend!

Faber - there is no Section 2 in the Skyline Deck.

Sorry, I meant to type section S. It's been a long day...

Maz,
I have no idea, but it is a great spot. I am in on FST with a few other folks and the tix are not in my name. Take a look on the Twins site and click on 207 for seating views, it is an awesome spot for only $20 apiece. They are going for $80+ apiece on stubhub right now. A FST holder could have made a fortune on selling them.

In one word Target Field is KOOOOOLWELLL!

Only one complaint and I made this one about TCF Bank Stadium. There was no place in most of the concourses, other than in left field by the Administration Building, to set your beverage down while you ate a dog etc.

While I’m sure the designers were afraid of congestion issues, I don’t think some strategically placed shelves would have interfered given the width to the concourses. In fact on the upper levels they installed a knee high rail under the stairs and some of the structural elements. These could easily be replaced by a waist high shelf where you could stand and eat, maybe a meeting place if you’re at a game with friends who sit in many different areas.

Hopefully this will be a possible enhancement the Twins will look at in the future.

I want my facken tickets now!

Maz, I think you were thinking 223. Same as 207 though.

Is it okay to post tickets for sale/trade in this comments section until the TCTraders area goes live?

"They are going for $80+ apiece on stubhub right now."

Going for or listed on?

Locker: Tickets are "going" for $80. Don't kid yourself they aren't selling for $80 each except for a very few exceptions. People can ask all day long on StubHub (and they are for Opening Day), but it is a whole 'nother ballgame to actually close the deal. As in any transaction there has to be 2 willing and able parties coming together. I love all the Yahoos right now that are trying to get $500 each for Section 327 Row 14 because that is what they are "going for" on StubHub. People get a clue. Wake up that is the asking price and that is certainly NOT what they are selling for.

I asked this a while ago and don't believe anyone had an answer. Is there a feature on StubHub that allows one to see completed transactions and/or actual SOLD tickets? This would be fascinating to me if it exists (though I don't believe it does unless I am blatantly missing it).

Looks like you were thinking the same thing I was as I typed Ben....

Can anyone tell me when the tradition wall will be open.

We just received our season tickets today (20 game plan). Kind of funny too, I was outside cleaning out my truck, when the mail man showed up and said "Got a package for you, looks like your season tickets, we just got our last week." Kind of funny :)

Max,

Yes there is a way to get actual sales figures.

when you list a ticket for a game, you are then directed to a listing that shows the avg sales price for that section and also the current avg listing price. There is also a spot that show the last ten purchases in that section. It will only show you that specific game, however. It is interesting when you are in the system to snoop around at the different sections and see what others have paid.

Just in case you are curious. It is possible to start the process without any intention of selling actual tickets. the pricing screen that I mentioned in the second one, so you don't need to enter UPC codes or credit card information. You can just make up a section number and ticket number for that game and then cancel it after you have viewed the pricing that you are interested in.

lol @ "no comment" when morneau took over the mic.

Alright...I have to admit..got a little misty eyed during that press conference, mainly when he was talking to Dick and Bert about Grandpa Jake....Great feeling...

When the 3rd batter in the bottom half in the 1st inning comes up to bat on April 2nd at Target Field, that house is going to go absolutely crazy...and April 3rd, 12th...

trebor651, I have not yet been to Target Field, but aren't there drink rails all along the concourses? I've read a comment from at another site that went on a tour and they stated that drink rails are all over the place. I could be wrong though, since I have not been there is person.

I have my 4 season tickets for sale for May 4 and May 5 vs DET,

LF Bleachers 129, row 5, 4 seats to each game for $20 each. Shoot me an email if interested

Nice press conference..15-20 years ago I used to go down to Canterbury Park and bet on the horses.I always bought the BIG JAKE green tip sheet and shot the bull for a for minutes with JAKE...Who would have known at that time his grandson would be a AL 3 time batting champ/MVP etc... and sign a 184 MILLION MLB baseball contract with the Twins..HOLY COW!!!!!!!!

there are cupholders in the wheelchair sections along the back of each section. Maybe that's what he saw.

Was kind of bored tonight so I threw together some photos from my walk at Target Field on Saturday, and then tried to re-create the same view using MLB 10: The Show. After doing so, I realized I could have worked with it better to make them more similar, but it's close enough.

St. Paul Paul:

If you are interested in finding a partner to sell, buy, trade tickets with, I could end up being your guy!

Shoot me an email (in the link) and we can go from there! I plan on being part of the TC Traders once Rick officially starts it.

Got my 20 game package today - finally! We're going to be out of town, though, for the 4/2 game against StL. We've got 4 together in the cheap seats, section 305, nice view. If anyone's interested in the tix, shoot me an email. First reasonable offer gets them!

I just tried to post some pics from my phone so let’s see if that happens or not.
Anyway - was out at TF tonight for a friends and family dinner test at Town Ball Tavern and got a sweet tour of the entire ballpark. I wont go on and duplicate what has been said over the past few days but…
The Champions Club - just unbelievable. I have never seen the 2 World Series Trophies and rings in person so this was a highlight for me. The wood tiles on the walls with the TC logo, limestone, all of the great pictures and images – Love the ’87 picture with President Regan and the nice sweater Gladden is wearing while the rest of the team is in suits– The batting cage window and the view from behind home plate.
This place is fantastic and I cant wait to see a game at this beautiful ballpark.

Murray's workers: Stabbed in the back with a silver butter knife

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/myklroventine/ / CC BY 2.0
BY STEVE SHARE, MINNEAPOLIS LABOR REVIEW
March 22, 2010
Famous as the self-declared "home of the silver butter knife steak," Murray's restaurant in downtown Minneapolis - long a union house - now has stabbed its employees in the back with one of those silver butter knives. And twisted it. 

Murray's wrote to employees February 16 that the business would impose a contract in the wake of two votes by UNITE HERE Local 17 members there to reject unsatisfactory contract offers.

The contract management imposed cuts wages 10 percent for all employees except servers, makes it impossible for employees to continue to afford health insurance, slashes paid vacations, and eliminates free meals and uniforms.

Management also declared an open shop and announced that paychecks for the restaurant's 37 workers no longer would automatically deduct union dues.

To write a letter condemning union-busting at Murray's:

Tim Murray
Murray's
26 S. 6th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1501

"There's a lot of us at Murray's who would like to meet them halfway but they want to take it all and take the union down with it," said one longtime employee, who feared to be named publicly. "We just want a win-win situation but they want it all."

Many of the employees have worked at Murray's 10, 20, 30 years. "It was very disheartening to think we meant so little to them," he said.

"I've had health insurance for 20 years at Murray's," said one longtime server, who also feared to be named. "Now there's no bartenders, servers or busboys who will be able to get insurance."

The imposed contract requires that employees must work 120 hours per month (up from 75) to qualify for insurance - but no one works enough shifts normally to accrue that many hours, workers said. The contract also caps the employer's health insurance contribution at $100 a month, leaving some employees with a premium exceeding $400 per month.

"Half of us down there are over 50, we need the health insurance," said another longtime server who also wished to remain anonymous. "It's a sad day. It's a sad day for the senior people." She, like others, has "pre-existing conditions." She asked: "How in the hell are we going to get insurance?"

"What's really important here is a good deal of public pressure," said UNITE HERE Local 17 president Nancy Goldman. "They want these workers to give up everything."

"I'm going to ask that all of Labor stay out of that place," Goldman said, reporting to the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation's March 10 delegate meeting. She said Local 17 would be sending other local unions a letter asking them to stay away from Murray's and urging them to spread the word about what has happened there.

"We've got to ask our partners to not patronize Murray's and send a letter," agreed Bill McCarthy, president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation.

"This is pure and simple union-busting," said McCarthy, who formerly served as Local 17 president and business representative and negotiated contracts with Murray's.

"They've been a union establishment since the 1940s," McCarthy noted. "Now they found the opportunity in a bad economy to blame the workers for their mismanagement."

"We've been negotiating with Murray's since September," Goldman told MRLF delegates. "They came to the bargaining table with 25 proposals, including deleting union shop and [dues] check-off."

"They wanted a lot of take-backs," Goldman said. "Clearly, the business was doing poorly."

For the union, the proposals to end union shop and  dues-check off could not be negotiated. As for the other proposals, Goldman added, "they never offered to me what their business plan was going forward if we made all those concessions."

Murray's, located at 26 S. 6th St., is a third-generation, family-owned restaurant currently run by Tim Murray. And for three generations, Murray's has been that special restaurant where many Twin Citians go for special occasions. Murray's is - or perhaps was - the last free-standing union restaurant in downtown Minneapolis.

Goldman said Tim Murray rebuffed her creative suggestion that the restaurant consider moving to a vacant restaurant space in the Hilton Hotel. By relocating to the Hilton, she noted, the business would be closer to the convention center and have a built-in clientele from hotel guests.

"The Hilton is receptive to it," Goldman reported. But not the Murray family. "They just want to do what they've always been doing there and they want the workers to pay for it."

For Goldman, Murray's betrayal of long-time employees by putting their health insurance out of reach now that they are in their 50s or 60s is reprehensible. "Now when they need their insurance the most, he's made it impossible for them."

Even employees who were being cut from three or four weeks of vacation to two weeks after many years of service understood that they might need to make some concessions. "But I don't want to give up everything," one longtime worker said.

"We've always been able to work through things but they didn't want to work through things," Goldman said. "They didn't want to bargain."

Copyright:  ©2010 Minneapois Labor Review

To all: Remember not to eat a Murry's at the ballpark this year if you support workers rights!!!

also saw tonight that they are installing a dark blue background to the Target Field lettering below the Celebration Sign - you will be able to see the letters much better.

And my pics posted on the mobile sight if people are interested...

also saw tonight that they are installing a dark blue background to the Target Field lettering below the Celebration Sign - you will be able to see the letters much better.

And my pics posted on the mobile sight if people are interested...

I actually had one of the Murray's sandwiches tonight - one of the better steak sandwiches I have ever had!

And will eat it again!

I actually cannot wait to have a Murray's steak sandwich at Target Field. Was looking to have one yesterday during the open house, but did not see them available.

Well, I'm not getting into the debate, but Murray's wouldn't be the same in any other location. Other M steak places could (and have) moved, but the room and location are special.

I hope everyone works it out. And, they have the best steak sandwich in the Cities.

Im not a conservative but eff unions. Wage floors screw up the equilibrium in the job market--and more people end up out of work. Workers always end up getting screwed anyway. How many employees do they have at Murrays that they felt the need to unionize?

David Christie!!??

He once inhaled a seagull.

The Pope told him it was ok to have a mistress.

He once had sex with a cigarette machine.

He killed Wolfman Jack with a trident.

He uses the Shroud of Turin as a golf towel.

He once ate the Bible while water skiing.

He drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.

You know, he would shoot whiskey into his neck with a syringe!

He has a toenail on the end of his penis.

He once got his wife pregnant and gave birth to a delicious 16 ounce steak. The after birth was sauteed mushrooms.

His family crest is a picture of a baracudda eating Neil Armstrong.

We once had a bachelor party for Christie. He ate the entire cake before we could tell him there was a stripper in it.

"The worst union in the world is better than no union at all." I work in the restaurant industry and there are no words for how much I wish we had union representation. I actually think compared to other restaurants we're probably treated really well comparably, which believe me is a very scary thought.

UNREAL.....to each his own....but isn't this site about baseball and the beauty of a brand new ballpark (thanks Rick, love your webpage). BUT POLITICS?....RUNNING PEOPLE DOWN?.....GIVING OUT ADVICE NOT RELATED TO SQUAT? The written word is just like the spoken word...if you don't have something good to say...don't say nothing at all. Besides that, opinions are like A-holes, we all have one. But if it makes you feel better to vent..........go for it.

I work for an open shop company. That means union and non-union work force. Our non-union work force contains our most productive workers. Why? Their wage is based on performance, not the fact that they hold a card. A typical union worker feels that they are "protected" which leads to laziness and poor quality. Don't get me wrong, not all union employees fit this mold, but more than not. A union forces an employer to pay employee A who produces 1000 widgets a day and employee B who productions 200 widget a day the SAME WAGE. This, is what forces union labor to be non competitive. Over priced labor drives up costs and creates a greater overall price for goods or services, when that good or service is at the same or lesser quality than non-union product product or service which comes at a lesser cost.

I am a moderate liberal, so by no mean completely against unions, but they way unions are being run these days is driving the quality that used to be associated with union skilled labor down the toilet. It is sad. Once, it was desired to have union employees working for you or providing a service because they were trained and skilled and provided a much better final product. That is no longer the case.

I could go on and on about this, but I will not due to the fact I do not want to piss anyone off. This is just my two cents.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

"He drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls."

Coming pretty close to a Bo Diddley moment there TTH.

I have 2 tickets to the April 15th game against the Red Sox in section 111 row 10 I am looking to sell. Please e-mail me if interested.

Rick, I'm cannot view the pictures that are posted at twins.ballparkmagic.com. Do I need to register first?

I really do hope this kills the talk of the Pohlads being cheap. They are pretty well locked into a $110-$120M payroll next year, spent the extra money needed to make the ballpark world class, and have twice signed some of the richest contracts in the sport (Puckett and Mauer).

Not too bad for a small market club that was going to disappear.

I guess Mike MacDougal got released by the Marlins. You think the Twins go that route and pick him up or trade for a bigger name? He saved 20 of his 21 attempts last year and has heat, but isn't a strikeout pitcher. He also pitched like crap this spring...thus the release. It does sound more and more like the closer won't come from within the organization--atleast all the columnists make it seem that way.

TTH,
I was waiting for you to tell tem to get a room lol

that is probably onlyt the 2nd time in the last 3 years that I have seen Rick step in to squash a debate... i likes

yea i got lucky and sold a pair of those seats on stubhub for 80 bucks a peice, now i feel guilty, I did not know that more tickets would come on the market

as for opening day it will be interesting to see what the market is and will be up to the game... i think that game will remain strong and high priced, there is only one ever...

i am going to hit the ticket office on the plaza sat around 9-930 am sat do you think i will be able to get a ticket for that game? the gophers game?

locker

those tix are listed as 29 per seat i think but yea still a good value

Don't know if this has been already covered, but does anyone know why the dugouts have been framed out with plywood protection?

I'm sure the dugouts are covered so work can be done in a controlled environment. At a minimum it would keep the area dry but could also alow for heating.

Everyone see in the press conference yesterday, when one of the reporters asked "Joe, with this kind of money, do you think the twins will be able to keep a competitive team around you?"

Joe completely side stepped it. Kind of funny. Great press conference though, Joe truly does epitomize what is great about sports.

@trosy29 I'm sure they're working in there still. Could have been pouring even some concrete or something and didn't want it exposed to the elements.

I thought i would toss in that it appears from the webcam that the tradition wall (the fan sections) have been put in place and are going to be lit from below (a guess judging by last nights webcam). Also the dugouts are being uncovered. I wanted to make a run down there to get some shots to share with you all but it doesn't look like I will be able to, at least in the next few days. So if anyone is feeling up to it, i would like to see what images you take.

I had a really cool experience with the Twins ticket office yesterday.
We visited the open house on Sunday and we sat in around 15 different sections and when we got to our seats (40 game) my father who is a bigger gentleman, said, well I won't be going to any games. The leg room was very tight and he has two new knees and can't keep them bent that far for very long. Like I said these were the only seats we sat in the whole day that gave him any problem.

So when he saw a Twins employee in the Metropolitan Club with a laptop my dad went over and asked if there was anything we could do to help, he looked up our info and told us he will have our ticket rep call us on Monday. Monday I got a call from our rep with the good news that they could move us 1 section over in a different row where he can be comfortable.

I have heard some less than glowing remarks from some of the dealings with ticket reps on here so I didn't have to high of hopes that anything could be done. Luckily we got moved 1 sec closer and only 1 row higher. The funny thing is I just got my tickets in the mail yesterday, so I ran them down to the ticket office and gave them back so they can print new ones for us.

Count me as a very happy customer of the Twins. My rep has been great the last 5 months since we decided to get tickets.

Speaking of the devil, the visitor dugout is now open...

Someone get some pictures of the tradition wall! please.

cool, thanks Rick! :) I thought it was a user ID10T error so I didn't post anymore - I'll be looking forward to posting more on 4/2 from my vantage point (close enough to grab Cuddy's balls. per se.)

Sorry, but can't sit back and say nothing. (With all due respect, my apologies Rick) Really Buffalo?????? Zzzzzzzzzzzz?????? I made a comment several weeks ago in an effort to keep politics off this wonderful site about baseball and Target field. But because you disagreed with my opinion, you felt free to drill me a new one and label me as something that does not represent my views. Now it is Zzzzzzzz???? Sorry brother but you cannot have it both ways. I am sorry for continuing the political topic but just a little tired of this site being influenced by a couple of posters comprising the thought police that believe it is their job to decide what opinions are legitimate and those that are not. (Thanks Rick for your exceptional work on the Twins and Target Field and to all the legitimate posters who have contributed to those of us that want to keep up to date on the subject.)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Sorry Outstate, I don't even remember the incident you are referring to. Maybe you should practice letting things go. Much better for your health.

As for the union discussion, I stand by my Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Lots of activity around the old ballpark today. Looks like they are setting up and testing out all of the portable carts that will be in play on the plaza. If you want to eat Twins Inc. food you will have ample opportunity to. They are also installing heavy-duty brackets along 7th St. and the promenade for what looks to be some humongous vertical banners. Once again, kudos to the Twins for commendable detail work.

Also, looks like booze at TCFBS is attempting a comeback through the legislature. Click.

Maz, I'm hoping you're wrong on the OD market... I still haven't bought any tickets

The Majestic/New Era store in left field is getting set up today. Product, fixtures, etc is all going in!

They're dealing with some major product flow problems at the park right now. Twins didn't buy enough product and didn't get the greatest mix (buyer was fired recently) and there's a shortage in many areas for product. The race is on to get more here!

Good Article from Tom Verducci on the Twins and Mauer...

This about sums up my take:

"As the sole tenant of Target Field, with its 55 luxury suites, 3,400 club seats and naming rights, the Twins will see an increase in revenue of about $50 million. (Their ballpark expenses also will rise, but only a fraction of the revenue gain.) The season ticket base has jumped from 11,000 to almost 20,000. Can you imagine the Twins raking in an additional $50 million annually from a ballpark built mostly with taxpayer money and not coming up with the cash to keep Mauer? The place probably wouldn't hold up to the angry mobs carrying torches and pitchforks."

Sorry but having a union busting famous resturant as a part of our new ballpark should be part of the discussion. Murray's has been around for three generations and it's "good" name was used by the Twins to beef up the quality of food they are now going to serve. Now that they have been associated with effing with long time employees this also needs to be known and discussed. Then it will be up to the individual to decide to buy their inspired steak sandwitch or not. Note: I personally choose not to eat a Hormel product at the Dome for the same union busting tactics this firm use on their loyal employees back in the 1980's.

Mannys has better food anyway.....Moving right along!

Eff I am now regretting replying at all to your original post. I hate bringing anything political into something I like. That being said, if I am hungry for a Murrays steak sandwhich (and I haven't heard from people on here they are poor quality) I will buy one.

Anybody go down to Target Field today and check out the tradition wall or that banner they are hanging? I would have but have been really busy here at work.

If anybody needs exhibition tickets for the Friday game shoot me an e-mail.

Mmmmmmmm tasty Murray's sandwich. I like a company that is trying to survive by staying in business so people like you have a job. times change and successful businesses have to follow or go under and leave you unemployed.

Fred,

I'm sorry to seem as though I'm harping on you. It is nothing personal (how could it be... I haven't met you) but come on, man. I'll say it once more and once only. It was the obvious choice, the most logical choice, and in the end the right choice to extend Joe Mauer's contract. No one has ever argued otherwise. But please engage your brain for one minute and pay attention to the following:

It is every bit as asinine to deny the fact that the Twins had options other than extending Joe's contract as it is to deny that that those options had incredible risk associated with them. No one is denying the latter. You are denying the former.

Now, at the risk of sounding like a broken record... let. it. go.

Hey Rick, does Hrbek get paid to have his name on the restaurant?

Jimmer - He gets free beer and food...;-)

Yikes who in the Twins front office commissioned that deal? He is going to eat/drink them out of profitability!! =)

Margaret-

I wasn't directing my post at you, or anyone, in particular...just pointing out that I agreed with Tom Verducci's take...I can do that, can't I? Or is it illegal?

Fred ---

Does your school have computers you are allowed to use during play time?

Ben--

I'll leave the anonymous, message-board flames all to you....since you seem to kick such a kick out of it.

Oh...and Ben-

One other thing....anonymous, message-board flaming has become EXTREMELY cliche and tired....You seriously need to give it a rest.

..and Margaret-

Since you brought it up...(because I dropped it...remember?)

I've never denied that the option to not sign Mauer was always there...that's obvious. My point was that option wasn't one that the Twins could consider seriously, and the only LEGITIMATE option they had was to sign him to that extension....and from what I've been reading and listening to, this was the case all along.

You guys are acting kind of like that kid who always presses the question and tries to act as the Devil's Advocate, when there was no need.

Saying that the Twins didn't NEED to re-sign Mauer is like saying you don't need to go to get up and go to work in the morning. OF COURSE, you have the option of sleeping in and staying home, but the chances are likely you could lose your job and not be able to pay the bills. So, isn't it fair to say that you HAVE to get up and go to work in the morning....considering the alternative?

why dont you guys hug it out and go rent New Moon together...

dvs,

the problem with that game is so many scalpers have thier tix on stubhub and other sites and just a warm up.. they still get to hit the plaza and the streets b4 the game to sell them, I dont with mine..do you know how many boston red sox fans will be coming here from the east coast ready to buy tickets for no matter what? and some people just like dealing with people face to face, craigslist is a bunch of bullshitters and rip offs...

last year i was at one of the yankee games at the dome, a family of five walked buy me almost made it to the ticket booth b4 a scalper intercepted them and sold them about 700 bucks worth of tickets... the game was not sold out....get my drift

anyway if you need em i got em lol

Fred,

Now that we've all heard your point (again), let me make mine. You may be surprised to learn that it has very little to do with Joe Mauer's contract...

If you re-read your posts on the subject it seems as though you're trying to claim some kind of personal victory by virtue of the fact that Joe Mauer signed an extension. I can only speak for myself, but damn dude! That's annoying. Just be happy about it!!!

There. That's my point. You're clearly a little touchy today, so I'll close by reiterating that my posts aren't intended to be some kind of personal attack on you. Let's move on.

Margaret-

Then you reading me wrong. I'm not trying to "claim" any sort of victory. Just pointing out that I agree with someone, and like I said before, I hope there isn't some "rule" against that.

Since TCTraders isn't quite ready yet...

If anyone's interested, I have one ticket available for the first exhibition game on 4/2 against the Cardinals a few rows up behind home plate.

Section 112, row 9, seat 5...shoot me an email if interested.

Has anybody heard if Target is going to be doing anything like they have in year's past - giving away opening series tickets in any shape or form? Sorry if this has already been asked.

"I'll leave the anonymous, message-board flames all to you....since you seem to kick such a kick out of it."

1. I will take that as a "yes" - thanks for proving my point.

2. As anyone who has spent any time here knows, I am probably the least anonymous poster on this site.

3. Every kid on the corner knew that signing Mauer was a good idea and not signing him was a bad idea. That was never the issue, which seems to have finally entered your head.

Maz,

I dont agree with your craigslist take. You can find some really good deals. I think StubHub is insane. They take %25. 15% from the seller and 10% from the buyer. I sold tickets on StubHub for 150 that I was selling on craigslist for 120. People increase there price that 15% to make up for the commision plus the buyer has to pay another 10%.

Soooooooo....................

How about those banners? Do they look nice, or do they look tacky?

And if there is one of Joe Mauer, are they going to have to hire someone to use a shovel to peel the females off?

With all the union talk going on at the moment, who new that the "third rail" would be the necessity of signing Joe mauer?

Speaking of mauer, the boys on MOLB Network were all gushing about what a great deal the Mauer contract is for baseball as a whole. Seeing a mid-market or small-market team lock up a local favorite for perhaps the remainder of his playing career was seen on MLB TV as hope for all the other teams in the same boat as the Twins. It would be nice to see teams like the Royals, Pirates, and Reds do the same with their best players. I'm tired of seeing those clubs always bringing up the rear.

That should read: MLB Network. I guess I should remove the boxing gloves while typing.

Joe, you may be more informed on this than I am since I have never purchased or sold tickets on Stubhub.

I don't see how the buyer is paying 10%. I currently have tickets listed for sale. If they are purchased by someone, I get 85% of the selling price. I know that going in and as you mentioned have priced them accordingly. Again, never having purchased any tickets on stubhub, I don't have first had knowledge of the process, however it does look like the buyer pays the set price plus a delivery fee. This fee is usually a set amount. In the case of immediate delivery the fee is only $4.95.

What does Stubhub provide for the 15% plus $4.95? I believe they guarantee the transaction. The seller has to enter the tickets upc code and stubhub actually confirms that the ticket is valid. Once the transaction is made you don't have to worry about bounced checks, fake bills and voided tickets. This doesn't even take into account the marketplace where the tickets are organized by game and can then be sorted by section, so that you can compare different options.

I don't work for Stubhub, but I would be very leery of an actual physical ticket that I purchased from someone off the street or over craigs list. How do I know that they didn't transfer the ticket through e-mail and thereby void the physical ticket? I would hate to pay cash and the get to the gate only to find that my ticket isn't valid. I understand that if you are selling a bunch of tickets that 15% could add up to be a large amount, but for the service they provide, I think it is a good deal.

Fred and Margaret,

If I can rent a boxing ring, would you guys be up for beating the hell out of each other at the opening day BBQ?

Now accepting bets.

Wow. Fred is making Luke sound tolerable. I really didn't think it was possible, but... damn! Speaking of, we haven't heard much from Luke since his date with Joni. Things must be either going very well or he jumped off the IDS Tower.

:)

I think we're past that.....

Yea Luke you are kind of a Big Deal. BallparkMagic needs you.

Ballpark Authority has their 2009 Annual Report up. Nothing new, click my name for the report

Mez,

You are right there is a 4.95 shipping charge on top of the 25% they take. You are paying way over what the tickets are worth if you use StubHub.

This is from the StubHub Website..........

There are absolutely no startup, registration, or membership fees for using StubHub.com. When you buy tickets, we'll show you the total cost before you place your order. The total amount of your StubHub ticket purchase equals:

The full price of the tickets, plus
A service fee equal to 10% of the full ticket price ($5 minimum per order), plus
A delivery fee (per order)

I'd actually like to see Luke and Maz slug it out...with a ton of LOL's taped up around the ring.

Did anyone take pictures of the view from the Overlook sections? If so, could you link the photos or post them at Twins.Ballparkmagic.com?

Locker - I don't want to pick a fight with Maz or anybody. Like I say, I'm not here to piss people off :).

Max - I hope I can take that as a compliment.

TTH - I hope I can take yours as a compliment too. I've read the posts here, but all the union talk and religion talk kinda turned me off, so I kept a low profile. Although I am happy to hear we have Mauer now for a looooong time.

luke - what did Joni think of Target Field?

She loved it Mike. Both of us were just awe-struck, or in Rick's words "Slack-jawed." we're both huge baseball and Twins fans.
Like I told her, "Anything is better than the Dome".

Back to more mundane/germane issues:

Another thing that struck me on my "tour" was the number of opportunities the Twins are giving their fans to plunk down their $$$. The place is absolutely littered with carts, coolers, stands, etc. In my opinion it goes beyond convenience and enters into the realm of barrage - and Reusse may have had a valid point when he questioned the real purpose of the new park. But, I suppose it is only "progress", as some are sure to point out.

ahh... it's SO nice to get back to the nice, normal bantering of TTH and Luke. Refreshing! :)

I have not had a chance to sample Target Field for myself yet, but honestly don't anyone should be shocked by the number of concession stands, souvenir stands, kiosks, carts, shots, and so on. The Metrodome was/is far, far behind what most modern stadiums can offer in terms of "points of sale" to use a term the Twins have kicked around. Target Field sounds very typical in this sense. As for the real purpose of the park, yes we all get to enjoy an awesome park and the glory of outdoor baseball, but Target Field exists to make the Twins organization and its owners a lot of money. Why Reusse has to question this confuses me. It has been clear from day one.

The purpose of any ballpark is to make money. They've just been designing them to make obscene amounts of it the past two decades. Until Oriole Park and New Comisky Park (Now US Cellular Field) opened, ballparks were an under-utilized source of revenue. Times were simpler, but ballparks were always about separating fans from their money.

- missed a key word that alters the meaning of my post, so here's take two.

I have not had a chance to sample Target Field for myself yet, but honestly don't believe anyone should be shocked by the number of concession stands, souvenir stands, kiosks, carts, shots, and so on. The Metrodome was/is far, far behind what most modern stadiums can offer in terms of "points of sale" to use a term the Twins have kicked around. Target Field sounds very typical in this sense. As for the real purpose of the park, yes we all get to enjoy an awesome park and the glory of outdoor baseball, but Target Field exists to make the Twins organization and its owners a lot of money. Why Reusse has to question this confuses me. It has been clear from day one.

Does anyone know if there will be a designated scalping area, like they have in Milwaukee? (sorry if it's been discussed)

Makes me wonder about the food policy. I used to think they looked the other way because they had little to do with concessions. How does it make any sense that now, when they stand to make truck-fulls of $$$, they are still going to allow food to be brought in? I like a dog at the park as much as anyone but when a burger is $9 a homemade ham sandwich sounds pretty good. I must be missing something here.

My guess is the Twins realize the number of fans who will bring in outside food is insignificant in the long run in comparison to the number that will buy concessions while banning the outside food will create needless ill feeling.

Ben,

They never looked the other way. You were always able to bring food into the dome. My mom used to bring in popcorn she popped at home, a birthday cake, bag of candy ect. I think all MLB parks let you bring in food. I just don't think they advertise it.

I guess my point is we all dont like stub hub but if i was to say, buy tickets to a game for $400.00 cash would I rather?

save 75 bucks and risk being robbed, getting fake tickets, or tickets that are real but are bar codded on another site like stub hub were that person sells them and gives the hard copies to his/her teenage kid who wants to make some money ect....

as a seller i am paying for the non hassle factor, if they sell they sell i get money asap they get tix asap without having to meet a stranger in a alley. if they dont sell i will give them away .. no big deal

I would never want to fight Luke, he has she-luke now I am happy for him. I will buy you 2 kids a class of milk when the games start.

"class" of milk? lol

Thank you, Maz... HAHA!

luke, glad you and Joni had a good date at TF. Wedding bells?

Jorge ---

Your comment makes the most sense and is pretty much the only conclusion one can draw. But, the Twins (and many others) are notorious for leaving no stone unturned when it comes to making a buck, regardless of how little revenue they might be passing up. I just find find the policy a bit counter intuitive (although welcome). And there are plenty of precedents the other way: theaters, amusement parks, etc. which do not seem to garner any ill will. I wonder what Calvin's policy was?

Another thought ---

Do you suppose the food policy is MLB mandated? Some sort of grandfathered in deal from the days of Sunday double-headers and picnic lunches? It could be that the Twins are allowing outside food only because they are required to.

I think Minn has a point and why I think StubHub (and their ilk) eventually win this game....the electronic transfer of tickets now makes the physical ticket on the street suspect. Heck, I could transfer every one of my tickets to an email account I create, thereby voiding my physical ticket. I could sell those physical tickets downtown each night, run and hide, and then walk in with my freshly printed bar code and watch the game. Trust me, I'm not giving away any secrets of the scalping community here. My only risk is that buyers see me selling for a future game and beat me to a pulp.

For a 10% fee on the buyers side, you are buying peace of mind, since their deal with MLB/Twins makes sure the barcode you are buying is legit. However, everyone can choose for themselves how best to buy and sell tickets, which I of course support (within reason).

On the food/concession front -- there were plenty of times in the Dome when they did not get my money because the lines were simply too long. A slow night this season is going to be 32,000. They don't want to miss any revenue opportunities. I would say those that are offended by too much service can certainly choose to only frequent one stand in the stadium and pretend the rest aren't there.

Would the supposed laxness of the food policy be due to the needs of families with small children/infants, and a desire to avoid alienating a large segment of the Twins' market? I'm sure they're loathe to stop a mother from bringing a bag of Cherios and a bottle into the park if she's caring for a baby. There's too much bad publicity that can be accumulated if the policy is too strict.
An intentional vagueness in the policy gives personnel at the gates a certain amount of disgression to act appropriately when a family comes through the gate.

Jorge -

Click my name for view from first row of 136 in the Overlook

In case anyone missed it, tonight's game is on FSN.

Linc -

There are always going to be bad apples in the scalping game. But electronic ticketing is pretty much only new to the Twins. Other clubs/venues have dealt with it for a few years. Yes, StubHub is "safer", but everyone pays for it. Bottom line is that there is one valid barcode per seat at any point in time. I chuckle sometime when I see people demand "hard tickets only" as if that's some sort of protection from getting an invalid ticket.

"They don't want to miss any revenue opportunities."

Allowing food to be brought in is missing a revenue opportunity, is it not?

I think allowances for small children and those with special diets have always been made. However, the picture of someone entering the park with a sack of dogs just seems odd to me - the team would actually be losing money on the policy as soon as the guy went for the mustard, napkins, etc. I think Calvin would have had a stroke.

The feed is being carried by MLB Network as well!! Pleasing us out-of-town'ers.

Rick, have you been contacted by FSN about their "lead in" coverage of TF? Dick and Bert were just mentioning how FSN is gonna cover TF from the day it passed in the legislature up to opening day.

Totally agree jfh -- I just think that because scalping in the open has only been legal for a couple of years here, and that the barcode transfer options are also new, that the game is changing rapidly for those just buying some seats on the street.

I think it is sort of sad in a way, but I also think that as this becomes more prevalent the StubHubs of the world will win and we will all eventually pay more/get less for tickets. They are creating confusion in the marketplace and profiting from it. They are also creating a service we all want in terms of being able to electronically transfer "stuff" 24/7/365. No judgment from me, just interesting observations.

I don't disagree Ben, but the Twins do have to balance 100 years of history (and fan backlash) against their revenue desires. I only meant to say if you are too lazy to bring your own popcorn/peanuts/34 hotdogs (which I certainly am), then they want to make sure you can buy one at their very inflated prices. They don't want you to turn back because the lines are 15 deep, as they often were at the Dome. More stands gives me more convenient choices -- I'm not against that.

The Twins and MLB probably just want to continue to be the most family friendly of the major sports. Letting families bring in their own food and drink might bring in people that would normally say that baseball is too expensive. In the long run you probably make more money and fans.

people will eat. Some days I bring something and some days I buy. Mostly it depends on how recently payday was. lol

I went to the open house with the kids and Natron bought The Big Dog/chips for all 5 of us with only one bottle of water to share and it ran over $30. Needless to say, I won't be doing that for all 81 games. I don't usually bring a buffet though either. I'll still have a dog or something, but I'll bring my own sunflower seeds or crackers or something to snack on. I've always brought my own Diet Pepsi - maybe now I won't have to hide it. lol

I would echo Joe's comments by noting that Canterbury (and horse tracks all over) have always done the same thing. You can bring a lawn chair and a cooler (with appropriate beverages but all the damn food you want) into Canterbury any time and set up a picnic. They'll be ready to sell you a beer and an extra brat, but they are playing to the same market in many ways.

This is especially important in "family-friendly" Minnesota. And, if you are a family of 4, there really are only 2 "major league" sporting events most can attend on a regular basis....Target Field and Canterbury.

Ok....you can argue about Canterbury still being "major league", though it is still a first class facility and a ton of fun. Vote for Racino!

If you like local beers as much as local ballparks, this might interest you.

The allowance of food in MLB parks is nothing new. The Twins' policy at TF is no more or less lax than it was at the dome, or it is at any other MLB park. Despite this (the narrowness of the dome's concourses notwithstanding), it was rare that you could navigate past any of the 'Field Fare' stations without running into a mass of humanity, ready to pony up for expensive hot dogs. Most still buy their food at the game.

On another note - I'm sure many who have opening day tix are planning on preserving them as wrinkle-free as possible for display. I wonder if the Twins could have sent out a duplicate ticket that was subtly non-usable and 'commemorative.' I suppose they didn't want to allow for even the possibility of someone selling two tickets for one seat.

If you are a STH and want to keep your OD ticket at home. Just email your tickets to yourself and bring the printed ticket to the game.

Great article from Jay Mariotti (I can't believe I just said that) about Mauer and the culture of the Twins (click on my name). He evened wrote about the new ballpark without mentioning anything about the weather.

holy crap, is anyone seein this little guy????

Rule of thumb:

The higher the jersey number, the smaller the player in spring training. That little whipper-snapper was #90!

Thanks for the tip Joe117!

Christoper Cates - He's a shortstop. (LMAO) he is 5'3" 150.

He's only 22 inches short than Loek Van Mil! LOL LOL

How bout Neshek man... he's the logical replacement for Nathan - they've got the same level of twitchiness. lol

oops... I meant to say 22 inches shortER. The Twins must have the shortest and tallest pros in any league! What a circus act. lol

p.s. the guy was wearing one of those giant helmets with the double ear-flaps. I hate em. The look exactly like..well..click my link.

I believe once you email your tickets, the hard tickets become void.

they do become void...i believe the point was regarding keeping the OD tickets wrinkle-free. Instead of bringing those to the game as your entrance, leave them at home and send yourself the tickets online then print the tickets and use that piece of paper as your entrance. At the end of the night you could simply chuck the piece of paper and return home to your neatly framed OD tickets!

@Margaret Thatcher: Thanks. As for the bells, that's still a looooong ways away :).

READ the article Murrays employees are unionized......they are shutting it off reducing pay and messing up benefits ....thats why the employees are pissed off.....

So read the article before you say why do they want to unionize....this should be an answer to everywhere else which is not.......owners could give a crap......theres a cheaper employee every day.....

RE pohlads cheap.......lets see who they keep for the next 8 yrs and pay......THEY are the richest owners.......If they didnt keep Mauer after basically letting a few people go for chicken scratch the crowds would disappear....

AND the twins almost disappeared because smilin carl was working a deal with selig to make MORE money.......that is the only reason thye twins were up for contraction......

Found a picture of the Twins removing the boards on the dugouts today. Click my name for the link.

RE union.....without unions we would be a slave labor market....the haves and the have nots....and its drifting more and more that direction since unions have been shrinking for the last what 30 or 40 yrs???? I think if some companies had their way they would pay employees 10 dollars a day....

At the Vikings playoff game againt Dallas, I saw a guy bring in the whole sheet of playoff tickets in a hard, plastic, display sleeve and they scanned him right through.

Thus endth the political science lesson for the day.

Who's up for taking a crack at religion now?

Thanks for linking the overlook photo jfh. Much appreciated.

Good idea on the emailing of the tickets. My friends and I are just going to bring in one of those string bags with an old text book in it to put all of our tickets/certificates to keep them crisp. Anybody know of a good place to have ticket/certificate/Homer Hanky with photos professionally matted and framed for a decent price? I plan on going all out since I will have it forever.

Michaels does good work. They have a counter where you pick the frame, matte, and glass. Very quality.

The little ticket buying trick for the Cardinals games still works. I just picked up 5 for Saturday, $13.50 a pop!

Rick, In post 41, is that section 325? I have tickets in Sec 325 first row for the April 12 game from my brother in law which he picked up through Stubhub. Looks pretty awesome!

I apologize for the poor sentence structure. it is late...

Bless you Dan,
that's better sentence structure than most people care to use on a forum.

Anyone else at the open houses notice the new uniform upgrades for Twins security and guest services?

Those security uniforms in the Metrodome were the same old uniforms for at least 15 years. It's nice to see a more modern look which was much needed.

I was also happy to see guest services go to light blue shirts rather than red, perhaps, that would have been TOO MUCH Target appeal had they retained the red-khaki combo?

Forgot to mention the new jackets for security and guest services as well. It's a nice and refreshing upgrade over those old jackets we saw at the Metrodome over the years.

How do you e-mail yourself a ticket that's sitting in an envelope on your desk?

My seats if I look to the left

Traditon wall install

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