I was at Yankee in July to watch the Twins twice (got free tix through a friend with season tickets), and sat in the lower level behind the plate and parallel with 3rd. I also noted the elevated knowledge of the average fan, and was impressed by their attention to the game. This was refreshing, as I sometimes notice the boredom of the average fan at the dome, which is understandable. But like you said, the stadium itself was not the only element in creating the experience, it was the presence of educated fans. I hope we can approach that level at the new ballpark.

TARGET FIELD!!!!!!!

TARGET FIELD!!!!!!!!! MAZ, you beat me to it!!!

Just got the email from the Twins on Target Field.

Pros:
1. Target won't be going out of business anytime soon.
2. Doesn't sound overly weird.
3. What's in a name? We are outside in less than 2 years!
Cons:
1. Same as Target Center (maybe we should get Target to sponsor the entire warehouse district?)
2. Sounds kind of weird.

ha i know i was thinking im gonna try to post it first.. just like a lil kid lol...

We need to come up with a nickname, how about "the bullseye"..?

you guys are fast!

Thank god they didnt name it after milk

Uggh...I don't like it. I was hoping for 'Wheaties Field'.

How much money does Target have tied up in naming rights within a 2 block radius?? ARe we the only city with the same company owning the naming rights to multiple stadiums??

Still excited for the new digs, but I guess I'm disappointed.

I guess this means that the "TARGET PLAZA" will be a sort of bridge between the two sports facilities, and there's a chance it could end up being a nice transition between First Ave and the park. An even nice step would be a movement to get Target Center's exterior to look more "in line" with the new park (and the 21st Century)...that'd be nice.

you're right, it creates a synergy for the area. i don't have a problem with the name, target's a great locally based corp.

How long does Target have the naming rights for Target Center locked up? I wouldn't be surprised at all if they let that one go as soon as they contractually can. A baseball park is far higher profile and better known among casual fans (and non-fans) than a basketball arena, and in particular, the Wolves get zero national exposure thanks to their traditional ineptitude, whereas the Twins get about as much national attention as one could ever expect for a Midwestern team that isn't the Cubs...

as far as I'm aware, this is the only case in the US of one company having the rights to two seperate sports facilities. there are cases where a company has a building in two different cities (American Airlines in Miami and Dallas) but this is the ONLY example of two in one market.

... such a 'meh' choice... except that the outside of the building looks so much like Target's Northern Campus in Brooklyn Park that perhaps they got confused.

I like Target Field to be honest. I do hope however that they don't demand a great big Target Bullseye right above the main entrance as you approach on the 6th St bridge as I think that wouldn't look too good. I hope they make it classy. I do like that Target is going to work with the Twins and the ballpark authority to make the connection to downtown work well. I must admit I also thought of calling it "the bullseye." Time will tell!

Target Field is better then best buy park.

Target Field - BARF!

It should have been called Land O'Lakes Field

Dumb greedy bastards...

Target Field. I am a bit surprised that they nabbed it, considering they already have the Target Center across the street, but all in all, it's not bad.
I'm not so sure about the Bullseye though. There's got to be some better options for nicknames out there.

Tim, would you say anyone that paid for it would be considered a "dumb greedy bastard?"

I'm really surprised that the other local corporations didn't get in on this. Target is really cementing themselves as the face of the Minneapolis downtown area. Seems like a smart move in my book.

Land O' Lakes field would have sounded cooler (aka "the tub") but were they even in the hunt? It would be ridiculous to ridicule Target for getting the rights over a company that didn't even try.

The Target Plaza sounds pretty nifty though. Maybe their goal was to create a true sports part of downtown by defining a common theme: Target.

So is Target going to add money to the pot for the plaza?

Next up, Target Stadium for the Vikings. ;)

Get the pronounciation correct: Tar-zshay Field. And if we're going French, then bring back Jacques Jones!

Does anyone else think Target should fork out the extra money to throw a retractable roof on this thing? They could even put a huge Bullseye logo right on top of it.

Will the retractable roof thing ever stop?! It will never be, ever.

chris, absolutely not. roofs do not belong on baseball parks and structurally there is not a way to add it at this stage in the construction.

There is no way a retractable roof could be added now anyways (a good thing in my opinion). Would have had to be worked into the design from the beginning. Target Field, not a bad name, and will grow on people as it becomes part of the local lexicon like Excel Center, Target Center, etc.

Anyone know who owns or manages the Target Center? I will gladly email them to find out if any exterior remodels are in the works.

And btw get ready for either "the bullseye" or "the spot." There's no way around it. I can see it on Baseball Tonight already:
Karl Ravich: "Our in-game update takes us to the Bullseye...and Justin Morneau...oh boy, that's over the bleachers in right, EY?"
Eric Young: "Who ever works on the 26th floor of the big brown building will have a souvenir on their desk tomorrow!
Karl Ravich: "Kruky, is that a Target suit you're wearing?"
John Kruk: "I wish. I think that ball just landed in Rochester!"
Fernando Vina: "Say hello...to ma lil friend!"

How the heck does that make financial sense for Target? I know there is a huge advertising and branding opportunity with the BASE jumpers and skydivers that frequent the air space over the new ballpark. Not to mention the fact that adding a roof has been a dead issue for about 12 months now.

One good thing out of this: Target should be able to pony up the extra money to connect the plaza to First Avenue. After all, it is connecting to their "Center". I am getting sick of looking at the Bridge To Nowhere (non-Alaska version).

No, the retractable roof thing will never stop. I knew that comment would be met with criticism, but I just HAD to throw it out there.

But I'm sure we will hear complaints every single time a game is rained or snowed out.

I originally thought it was a bad idea to build it without a roof, but I have since come to terms with it.

I know there is no way to add it at this phase, and I am very excited about the overall design of the park. I can't wait to have outdoor baseball!

Target Field is a very appropriate name. A ballpark named after a discount store, housing a team made of discounted players. I'm just sick, what a stupid name.

Can Target at least contribute a !$##$ second webcam??????

Well, I guess it's better to name it after Wall-Mart Junior than Best Buy, but so much for that "ultimate marriage." This name is so frickin' lame.

It makes financial sense for Target to get rights to a baseball stadium, because there's going to be at least 81 games there every year... translating to more TV time, more marketing opportunities and more chances for the bullseye to be plastered all over highlight reels.

I love football, but it really doesn't make as much sense for a corporation to name a football stadium - which gets 8-10 home games a year. Baseball allows for a lot more exposure when embarking on a naming rights agreement. From a strategic standpoint, I think Target made a smart move...and this park is going to be a beauty downtown.

And I suppose they'll mow their stupid bullseye logo onto the outfield grass too.

"But I'm sure we will hear complaints every single time a game is rained or snowed out."

Well, knock it off! And everyone else can knock it off as well! Other cities get rained and snowed out! This is life. It happens in Chicago, it happens in Saint Louis, it happens in Kansas City, it happens in Cleveland, it happens in Detroit! Only Milwaukee has a retractable roof in this region and I would take our new park over theirs any day of the week! It is truly time to get over the roof and face the facts that real baseball parks in real cities occasionally cancel baseball games due to weather! At least downtown, there will be plenty of warm bars for fans to sit in and drink while they wait.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, Target Field. http://www.startribune.com/local/28389409.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUX

Don't encourage them Kevin.

So should we call this place Killebrew Field or Puckett Park instead?

I love how the rumor that Target is a French company persists... amusing.

The jokes for headlines write themselves...

"Target Practice" etc

I hope Target's slogan proves to be true - "Expect more. Pay less." See ya'll at "The Bullseye"!

Thanks Dale.....I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Lafferty,

I have no idea what to call it, but I know I won't be refering to it as Target Field. I'll probably just call it the ballpark since it's the only one in the Twin Cities.

One thing is for sure, Target will be able to pass out free sunscreen and umbrellas for all the weather whiners out there.

Sorry Kevin - need a breathmint?

Thanks Dale, I just drank some Pepto.

The more I think about it, I wish they at least would have called it "T----t Park". "Field" reminds me of football, like Ford Field in Detroit, or Qwest Field in Seattle.

Say OG, does Wrigley Field make you think of football? How about Coors Field? Safeco Field?

Target Field... Is it great? No, but it is much better than many of the alternatives: Best Buy Park, Super Valu Stadium, Gutter Helmet Colosseum or Waste Management Circus Maximus. So I guess we learn to live with it.

In the end it really doesn't matter what they call it. Its going to be one of the best parks in baseball and it appears we will have an exciting, competitive team to watch for at least the next few years.

Target Field - "We Like it Here".

I just hope MLB will never allow corporate logos on team uniforms if you know what I mean. That's one of the reasons why I don't like soccer(click on my name for the visual link).

I had the press release in my inbox at 7:30am but I didn't want to risk breaking the news early.

We are all very excited here in our building!

TGT Employee,

On your lunchbreak today, if you would go atop the Ford Centre and install a 2nd webcam, I will vow to never shop at Walmart again.

The naming rights story on the Twins site is a bit more informative than the Strib article (click me)

'target field of minnesota'

where is the stylistic swagger in the name 'target field'? was hoping the name would keep in step w/ the artistic penache the design the park has. 'target field' is a snorrible name.

that's because you'll get free tickets while the rest of us have to shell out $$$. But seriously I hope the fact that Target has the money to shell out on naming rights means that they can still afford to keep their headquarters downtown...

OG, I agree -- Target Park is better or "TarPar" as I call it. "TarField" doesn't make it sound very attractive...

We don't get free tickets to even T-wolves games so I doubt that we would get free (or even discounted) tickets to the Twins.

And Kevin, if I could go install a second webcam, I would.

DSP updated his blog..It's just more fluff about the deal with Target.

Considering Target's HQ will be visable from a very outdoor ballpark named after Target, you'd think they'd want their HQ to remain exactly where it is.

"The team considered a variety of options - some corporate and even going with a non-corporate name. The bottom line was this: Minnesota's new ballpark was going to be given a name which fans across Twins Territory could embrace."

What a bunch of crap. So Twins brass, let me get this straight. You could've named OUR park something cool like Killebrew Field or Northern Lights Park, but decided that Target frickin' Field was something that Twins fans would "embrace?" Why would you even tell us that you were considering a non-corporate name?

How exactly did you think we'd "embrace" this? Oh boy, a souless corporation that sells a bunch of cheap crap from China won the naming rights, happy day.

The Multi-foods tower a.k.a (Ugly big Brown Building blocking Pretty Wells Fargo Building) houses a large chunk of Target offices. Perhaps Target will take some initiative and beautify that building so it looks a little better? New lighting on the building at night would be a good start.

jpberka,

Thanks for the correction. I'm aware of other baseball venues that are named "Field". I guess my opinion was formed when I visited Fenway park as a teenager, and took a tour...the guy we knew worked for the Red Sox at the time and started by telling me "People play baseball in a park. They don't play baseball in a stadium. That's grotesque."

Obviously it was a shot at the Yankees - but it's stuck with me. "Field" isn't wrong, I just prefer "Park".

Oh No! The Twins didn't name it what you wanted. Quit crying about it. There is nothing wrong or outright awful about Target Field.

Talk about dramatics.

Target Field isn't the coolest name, but it could be so much worse. As corporations go, there are few as admirable as Target -lots of community outreach and philanthropy. Plus, it's local, and I actually shop there all the time. I'd gladly pay the extra few dollars there than shop at armpits like WalMart. Plus, Target is an actual word (as opposed to an over-the-top-no-question-about-it Corporate Name)

lafferty, when was the last time you shopped anywhere? everything comes from overseas. i like how you call them a "souless" corporation even though they give millions of dollars back to communities each week (i believe it's 5% of their income). if you ask me, that's the type of corporation that i would want being associated with the twins, an organization that does a lot to help out communities.

as for city center, target only leases offices there and i've heard rumors that when their lease is up, they are hoping to have a new building downtown near their current building to house all those people. whoever owns city center better pony up the dough to upgrade at least that facade.

OG, I TOTALLY agree that baseball should not be played in a stadium. The word stadium should NEVER be associated with the Twins new home. However, when I went to Wichita State University (known for baseball), we had a ballpark with a more complext name: Eck Stadium at Tyler Field. The stadium had a corporate name of a local auto dealer (who happens to be a felon) with a field named after someone in the community. Why couldn't the Twins consider this? Yes, it is Target Field, and I am fine with that. How about calling it Twins Park at Target Field? I like the ring of that.

"Baseball should not be played in a stadium."

Wha??? My entire young baseball life was spent at Metropolitan STADIUM.

I think everyone needs to chill out and get used to it. Target is a fine company and credit to the area.

what's george carlin's take on baseball vs. football? (see link)

I think we just dub this place the bullseye, whether they want it or not (because Target Field just doesn't have the zzzzing it needs). We have the "Barn" at the UofM, OSU has the Horeshoe, why not the Bullseye?

I made a little logo.

All I can say is wow. This annoucement seems much more "major" than that "major announcement" the Twins made last week at Target Center regarding the bid for the 2014 game.

Also, it will be interesting to see what kind of logo they develop for this ballpark. I wonder if it will be similar to the Target Center logo (click link)? I hope its a different type of logo, but I also like the simplicity of the Target Center logo. Very ordinary and simple, which I like.

As for the name Target Field, I think it will be a good name. It's just a little different right now and will take some time to adjust to. I am happy to see the Twins avoided the financial and telecommunications sector.

"Twins Park at Target Field" I actually like this a lot. The name even lends an air of classiness. This would be very redeeming.

Rick - i like that...seems on a baseball running through there! I'll give that a try.

I was also thinking of the name "Bullseye Ballpark @ Target Field" Luke H. I like the classiness of that. Kinda Like Coach K Court at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Yeah, I like the sound of Puckett Park at Target Field or whatever...

The Bullseye is a great name. I'm sold - nice Illustrator work, Cory.

I understand that some people find the idea of "Target Field" boring, and I would like a more classy name as I mentioned before, but I do like the idea that the Target HQ sits out there beyond the outfield. Imagine ESPN doing a game of the week, the blimp overhead, and they take this panoramic shot of the field lit up like a beacon in the night, with the beautiful top of the Target HQ glowing in the night sky in the forefront. Of course they'd mention what the building represents because it is good marketing sense. It would say "This is Minnesota and our ballpark is named after a Minnesota company, not some fly-by-nighty operation." Just be glad we didn't name it Enron Field!!!

Agreed, jpberka. It is a Minnesotan company (that operates downtown), and Target does do a great job of branding. Also, as annoying customer pointed out, they do a lot of good in the community as well as employing thousands of Minnesotans. It's not the best choice, but certainly not the worst.

I know Target Field isn't what people were hoping for, but I think it could potentially have a very positive affect on and for the new ballpark in terms of upgrades to Target Plaza, the connection to 1st Avenue and so on.

nice work cory. but, be careful. there is probably some overpaid target "branding wunderkind" on rick's site right now stealing your quality work above for the "the bullseye at target field" logo who will most definitely try to pawn it off on his own over at target hq in some meeting over the next couple months!

throw a baseball in the middle of the logo as suggested, trademark it for yourself and then make sure you gets paid brotha! :-)

i will be honest. i really thought all of the signs over the last few years at the metrodome were pointing to best buy being the one. perhaps best buy is holding out to be the naming rights partner for the new vikings stadium on the other side of downtown??

Betaband...i have proof on this blog as long as it stays up that it's my idea...as well as some timestamped files, but I don't care, I can cause a stir if I really want to if it ever gets there...I am just having fun.

I just like the idea of having an iconic stadium name like "the Bullseye". I think that would really be great. I can hear Jon Miller and Joe Morgan on the first night on ESPN starting the broadcast with "Tongiht, live from the BULLSEYE in Minneapolis, it;s the Twins versus the (AL TEAM)..."

Rick....i crudely tried seams...I got too busy to do a good job, but I think it gets too busy. But whatever, it's always fun to think of stuff like this.

What is the name of their dog? Spot? See Spot run. I suppose Spot will be the mascot of take your dog to the ballgame day at Target Field.

No, it's not the greatest name and yes as others have said it could have been worse. But it could have been better and a little more imaginative. Let us bitch about it for a few days and then we'll calm down.

MPLS/St. Paul Business Journal has a more complete story on the decision. Click my name...It shouldn't be password-protected.

Also, my vote goes to the first icon cory. Nice work. Also check my eralier post for a very similar ESPN-programming prediction. (about 9:30 this morning.) Funny!

touché JohnK - I guess that's just proof that this name is inevidble to catch on.

Thanks JohnK. I found this excerpt intereating:

Meanwhile, Target’s naming-right agreement for Target Plaza will
give the company significant input on the design of that space.
Target and the Twins will contribute $8 million toward plaza
enhancements.

As a result, the plaza will be extended to First Avenue and
feature “more seating, more canopies providing shade, the
potential for some public art and some other iconic features that
really create a dynamic public gathering on game days, and perhaps
more importantly, not on game days,” St Peter said.

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak also announced last week that he has
included $3 million for ballpark district enhancements in his 2009
budget proposal.

So that's $11 million for plaza and street work. I'm encouraged. It's good to see that people are at least talking about the atmosphere on non-game days. After all, that's what most days are, unfortunately.

I like Target Field better than Best Buy Park. I'm a little surprised to see folks heap such praise on Target and their community work. Yes, they give money, but so do lots of other corporations. And those other corporations didn't try to single-handedly kill transit funding in the Twin Cities. Oh, the irony of sponsoring a ballpark that is also a transit hub...

David,

Can you expand on Target "killing" the transit funding in the twin cities? I have not heard anything of this and that doesn't seem too believeable.

-Roger

I have it on good authority that Target was the prime instigator behind the MN Chamber's opposition to the transportation bill. Specifically, they were opposed to the 1/2 cent (passed as 1/4 cent) sales tax dedicated to transit.

Target's former CEO is a well-known anti-transit ideologue. Let's hope the new regime is more sensible.

I am sure they will have a bullseye in the outfield for HR's to hit.

NOOOO,

Oh, I hope not! We don't need another glove, Pepsi can, milk jug, giant slide into beer or any other kitschy gimmick. We need a ballpark.

The branding can be done in better ways. Target Center (and it's "Target Center," not, "The Target Center"), for all its faults, at least doesn't scream TARGET, INC. all over the place.

the bullseye would be better than the subway banner with a net we have now over the baggie.

I belive the naming rights deal on Target Center was for 15 years and that was done sometime at or around the beggining of the 90s so there cant be too much left of that deal unless a new one was signed to replace the original one. I also think and I know someone around here can correct me if I am wrong but I think the city of Minneapolis owns the Target Center and hired someone to manage it.

Okay, i'm over it. I really don't care what they call it, just so long as Reyes, Guardado, Guerrier and Crain aren't allowed in with Twins jerseys on. If they're wearing the color of the competition, by all means they are welcome in.

i was hoping for premium park, like miller park, but i like the idea of Puckett Park at Target Field

So because I live in Alaska and just getting off from work I'm the last one to get the news. Target Field. Nope. Don't like it. Next to Target Center it seems redundant and repetitive. It'll most likely catch on but at least I have 18 months to warm up to it before opening day. Ultimately, I'm just disappointed they went with the cheesy corporate naming rights. Didn't they get my idea submission not to do that??? I'm sure we all have a good idea where those all ended up. Yes, it could be worse: Lehman Field. We could call it "The Lame".

So that $8M going into Target Plaza, is that going to make the place (or the whole park) look like it has chicken pox?

Our first Target is about to open up next month here in Anchorage. My guess is that's where the $8M is going to come from. That place is expected to be a mad house when the doors open.

OK, Lets start the Multifoods Tower beautification committee. Please feel free to add.

i thought i came up with "the bullseye" you mean im not going to get paid from that

Well, Target Field is interesting, I think. One of the things I heard today, is that the naming rights deal for Target Center is up in 2010, the same year Target Field opens. Target and the T-Wolves have had a good relationship, but if the Wolves can get more money from Cargill or 3M or some company like that, Target will be out the door. Of course, then, the whole thing will seemingly be out the window, as it wont make much sense to have Cargill Center, Target Plaza and Target Field. the whole thing will seem to be a wash. Cargill Center does have a nice ring to it though.