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Picture of the Day
BallparkMagic presents a little bit of Target Field each day. (Click to enlarge.) Now, Where Were We...?April 8, 2011 12:20 AM Minnesota is something of a climatological miracle, isn't it? This was taken a scant six weeks ago:
Now, the bushes which were beneath that six-foot-tall pile of snow (which I created by hand, I might add, and which got taller after this picture was taken) are once again visible in all their winter-mangled glory. Unlike Target Field, my grass is brown, kind of squishy, and covered with that unsettling grayish snow mold. But there's a home plate, three bases, and a pitching rubber out there. Batting practice is once again a nightly occurrence. I can count on one hand the number of days since I had to bundle up the kids in their winter coats, but it seems like a distant memory. So, for that matter, does Target Field. Home Again When we last left the home of the Twins, it was on the heels of a loss to the Yankees. It's an odd parallel with this year's home opener. But let's remember that, regardless of the outcome, those glorious October nights were completely perfect for outdoor baseball.
All throughout TF's inaugural season, it seemed like Minnesota itself -- even the shape of the prevailing winds far over our heads -- was glad to have outdoor baseball back.
Last summer seemed a little bit sunnier, a little more perfect, than any of the preceding 28, didn't it? We could all be forgiven for wishing it would never end. But as I was leaving the last game last season, I remember that sinking sense of ending -- uncertain but palpable. At the time, there was still a chance that the boys would be back for one more game which would, if necessary, decide the ALDS. It was hard to say goodbye to the season and the ballpark that night, and I could not. I wanted to hold on to that chance. The first season in the park had been so beautiful, full of exploration and wonder -- and great baseball. For every one of us who followed the building of the ballpark closely, there were at least a thousand who had not, and for whom a look in any direction brought a surprise. Late in the season, I started looking for people having that experience, just to soak in their expressions. And though you could see it on the faces of kids, that was nothing compared to the faces of the older crowd. It was as if the dead had returned to life. Baseball is a game of life and death, but a ballpark is all about life. The architecture of a good ballpark vibrates with life even when the seats are empty. Target Field does that. When the seats fill, and the fans begin to breathe in sync with one another, and the shared experience gets stored deep within each person, good ballparks disappear into the moment. Target Field does that. When the game is done, win or lose, the ballpark becomes a sentinel, a beacon back, a reminder that the game goes on. Good ballparks sleep lightly. Target Field does that. After the first playoff game, I walked down to the service level, and caught an unexpected, sort of sad sight:
But when I asked the guy what would happen to those bases after he hosed them off, thinking they were about to be whisked off to either Cooperstown or eBay, his response was a bit of a surprise: "We'll use them again tomorrow night."
There's always a next game. Even when you're watching your favorite team lose a playoff game, and there's no guarantee of another home game before winter, you know at least that there will be a next game. So I hung around there for as long as I could, peering through the open gate out onto the now-deserted field.
I irrationally figured that, if I stood there long enough, the boys would have to come back and give the season a glorious send-off. Or, if not, maybe I could just curl up in a warm corner and hibernate until spring. (Looking back, that might have been preferred to all the shoveling.) Eventually, I retreated through the north service gate, thinking warmly of the summer which was ending around me, feeling content that the season and the ballpark had met or exceeded most of my hopes and expectations. Even in disappointment, the Game had been great. I took a long look back, and a few deep breaths of October air before getting into my car.
So, we didn't get that next game back then, but we're getting it today. We're going home. Woo hoo! I'll see you there. (11:30 AM, gate 6, for the unveiling of the Tony Oliva statue.) CommentsTo utilized enhanced comment features, please enable cookies in your browser. Great post Rick!! See everyone tomorrow (well today)! Did I read correctly on the last post, the Twins are serving Kool-Aid this year? Looking forward to getting 2 glasses tomorrow! This is one of the few instances where i wish i wasn't working on the other side of the globe.... luckily my slingbox will be getting some use in the wee hours of the morning! Mike & Mike broadcasting from Target Field this morning on ESPN2. Woooo! Let's get this going! Forecast coming soon.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 07:11 AM by Jared
thank god the twinks have a W.S. trophy to display behind M & M.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 08:01 AM by N.D. (aka N.D. "Rube")
I'll be coaching a doubleheader today after school - thank goodness for DVR! I'll be there tomorrow. Will try to see the BPM crew - where are you all sitting? well done, rick! here's to another season: may the ballpark be full of twins magic in '11! As it says in Scripture (sort of) "This is a day which the Lord and Abner Doubleday have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it". Nice post Rick...A day of vacation and a day at the ballpark,,60 and sunny...YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick, you have a gift for putting pictures and words together to form one awesome article! This is like Christmas to me, I woke up early with the anticipation of Twins baseball wafting in the air and the forecast for a superb Opening Day at Target Field, couldn't ask for more and your article set the tone for today! Well done! I'm familiar with that passage too terry. I can't imagine what kevin in az will have to say when he finds out we drink TWO kinds of kool-aid.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 08:35 AM by N.D. (aka N.D. "Rube")
It's a beautiful day for a ballgame! Nice post Rick, how did you get to the service level without that guy telling you to get the hell out? I just out of curiosity looked up the Weather Channel's gameday event forecast for today and this is what it came back with: Lol, apparently they haven't gotten the memo that we play outdoors now I'm picking up my 1st grader from school at 1 (he doesn't know it yet) and we are both playing hooky for the afternoon! jfh, Not much else on the official schedule of events for today. Rally on Peavey Plaza at 11:00, and gates open at 12:00. That's about it. Of course, the pregame show will be bigger than usual, but it's nothing you have to go out of your way to attend. (You'll be there already.) Ole, On Saturday night, the BPM crew will be in section T, mostly in rows 4-7. Let's hope the storms hold off... Duffman, The Twins have been very kind to me regarding access to the ballpark. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 09:13 AM by Rick 21
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 09:28 AM by Rick 22 Well done, Rick. I've printed your article and intend to share it today. I just blinked the sleep out of my eyes and noticed that it's a freakin' beautiful day out there! Play ball! The picture above is from the backyard ballfield mentioned in the post (just testing to make sure I can post photos directly from TF today -- planning to test out that new wifi they've been talking about). If you want to post photos or comments from your phone: 1. Send a message to twins-subscribe@ballparkmagic.com to get on the eligible list. 2. Send your photos, text messages or emails to twins@ballparkmagic.com. They'll flow right into the comments. 3. You can view the full size images and the stream from the ballpark directly at twins.ballparkmagic.com. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 09:34 AM by Rick 24 (For clarity, you only need to do step 1 once.) Posted on April 8, 2011 at 09:37 AM by Rick 25 Jared - Weather conditions will not affect the game Apparently they haven't seen what happened with the dome in the past few months either. Where would the Twins be playing today if they didn't have Target Field? Would they have been able to speed up the roofing process enough to have it ready or would the Twins be in Milwaukee, Kansas City or Cleveland? Nice to see the red and white "TC" painted behind homeplate! Sounds like today will be another beautiful home opener! Sunday is going to feel like June with those high humidity levels and temps in the 70's.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 09:56 AM by Mike
Opener tickets as low as $35 on stubhub. Very, very tempting... F_T_K You have almost 3 hours to let the seller panic a little more. I bet you could get one for $20+fees if you wait. =] Oh, I assure you - I'll be checking the prices up until 1pm! We just had a quick staff meeting here at work, I told everyone I was watching ticket prices, they all laughed at me. But, they understand I'm a big Twins' fan, and they'll understand if I suddenly (cough, cough) have to leave work this afternoon! I'll find out for myself in a few hours, but does anyone know where the Hebrew National hot dog kiosk is located in the park? I just checked my Stubhub account for the first time since last year. Lo and behold, there's a 10% off coupon code as thanks for "being a Stubhub fan". But, the fine print says it expires Sunday and can't be used on MLB games. Pfffft. Ha, and now that I check it again, it says "UP TO 10% OFF", meaning I have to spend $500 to get that 10%! No thanks.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 11:01 AM by Rick 36 Jorge- I saw one stand on the main concourse almost directly behind Home Plate, near the expanded Krazmarzuks (sp?) stand. Looks like they are bringing back the checkerboard grass pattern also!!!! Will be at the game tommorow! Would be nice to get an early sweep at home vs the A's Until the players complain about the grass and we get stuck with the same pattern for the rest of the year... Nice to see the neighborhood coming back to life. But I still cannot fathom why anyone would go to a ballpark THREE HOURS before a game. But apparently that's just me!
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:23 PM by Rick 41
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:24 PM by Rick 42
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:24 PM by Rick 43
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:25 PM by Rick 44 When do StubHub tickets become unavailable for purchasing? 1 hour before the event start time? Fred- I can give you a description, if that helps? It's black. And really, really ugly. Forgot to mention on here that I walked by the door to the stalled Ahern's Irish Pub at the corner of 5th St. & 2nd Ave. yesterday and saw that there is a Notice Of Eviction posted on said door. Chad- Just saw the batter's eye on the pregame show.....doesn't look that bad, IMO....In any respect, Cuddyer's homerun total should grow exponentially this season....considering he was probably the loudest critic of the green with trees back there... Sorry for the dup pix above. The wifi is in and out, and overall pretty weak from the concourses. (I hear that it's strong out in the seating bowl.) I've got more pix in the queue that won't send for some reason. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:55 PM by Rick 51 As for why someone might want to get to the ballpark three hours early, it's not hard to explain. There's so much to soak up -- including the sun today. Just sitting out in the right field bleachers watching batting practice was pure joy. Everybody was hitting huge bombs, including several in the upper decks. I think it was Cuddyer who hit one off the facing of the upper deck in left -- above the split! I'm hearing now that he positively loves the new batter's eye. Let's hope that translates into something when the game starts. As I sat out there in those bleachers under the sun, I realized that there was nowhere else in the world that I would rather be at that moment. Good feeling. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:11 PM by Rick 52 I'm jealous Rick. Some guys I know and hang out with would rather be on their 5th beer at a bar, but I'm with you, especially on opening day in the warm sun!
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:19 PM by Rick 54 Just reading that Morneau has 999 hits going into today's game. He will become only the 13th player in Twins history with at least 1000 hits. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:22 PM by Rick 55
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:28 PM by Rick 56 Did they move the batter's eye closer to the field? Makes me wonder what they'll do with those few extra feet of space behind it. And Rick, I'm jealous. Wish I could be there! Thanks Rick....I don't think the batter's eye looks all that bad. It's black, sure, but isn't that what the majority of them are??? Now it's on the hitters if they don't produce. Much better.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 3:09 PM by Chad
^ Flyover from the roof here at work. Awesome. (But, I still would rather be at the ballpark!!!) Your not missing much at the park besides the park itself. This offense is anemic!
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:15 PM by Rick 63 I for one am happy to see they finally colored the "TC" behind home plate. I hated the New York Yankees all-white look.
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 6:05 PM by Rick 66
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 6:08 PM by Rick 67 Had the Walking Taco and was not really impressed. $7.50 for a fried tortilla with lots of lettuce, tomatoes, dressing, and a little beef. Nachos are the better way to go. More data issues this year. It took until an hour after the game started to send a picture message. I'm on Verizon. Great game great win! 3g was terrible, and couldn't get on wifi, it just sat there obtaining ip address forever! Duffman, thanks for the tipoff on the Hebrew National stand. I went in the Hrbek gate and grabbed one first thing. Great stuff, miles ahead of the various Schweigert hot dogs. The wifi was a total flop in my section. I couldn't get any service until the 8th inning. The Twins will need to do something about either the signal or the capacity, maybe both. All in all, it was great to get back to the ballyard. It finally felt like spring had truly arrived. A fine day at the ballpark. My only complaint was the between-innings music. The new guy played almost exclusively current pop stuff...no local acts that I could recognize, and except for a few in-game riffs, Sue Nelson was absent from the day. Yeah, the wifi was pretty much a complete bust for me -- as was 3G unless I went to a window or balcony somewhere. TF is still a data black hole, it seems. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM by Rick 74 I wasn't in the seating bowl for the entire game, but the only time I heard Sue was during the 7th inning stretch. As for the music, the BP mix was pretty good, though for some unknown reason a little heavy on Michael Jackson. The in-game music is utterly inaudible from anywhere outside the seating bowl. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:56 PM by Rick 75 Nishi got a tremendous ovation today - perhaps the loudest. In game music still needs major improvement, especially with timing and selection. Big improvement in handling main level concessions before the game. Glad the bats finally came alive in the 8th - I was going to be really upset if we lost 1-0 because of sloppy play in the first that would have embarrassed little leaguers. Interesting that the sun came out right after the last out. Hoping the weather holds out, though Sunday sure looks iffy. Great game and GREAT weather and a Twins win!!!!!!!! Congrats Joe on the comeback.. It might have already been mentioned on here but the countdown to Cooperstown for Bert is set at 50 days which would be May 28th. I am going and if that is the case I will miss the inductions by almost two months. It scheduled for July 24th. Did I miss something about the countdown? Ok thanks I just remember when Kirby went in they did days in center field at the dome. The countdown is the number of home games before the HOF ceremony. That had me faked out for awhile too. HOF Induction Weekend is 50 *Twins home games* away. Oh for Pete's sake if you did not like that game there is something wrong with you. Our pitcher goes 8 with only one run and, what, 3-4 hits? Hometown guy drives in winner in the 8th? Nathan saves it in his first game in TF? What the heck is not to like about this game? Oh and yes the 3G and WiFi sucked but that just meant less time diddling with my phone. OK, I can live with that. What's not to like about the game? Well, for one the anemic hitting continues. Bert Blyleven kept referring to "Josh Willington" in LF for the Athletics. The Twins Tower takes away from the ballpark. Would you like more? TTH you're negativity for negativities sake is tiring. Brett Anderson is one of the most underrated pitchers in the league, the offense put 8 hits together against him, enough in the end to finally scratch some runs across. It was an awesome display of pitching today not anemic offense. Are you seriously saying the Twins Tower takes anything away from the ballpark? Outside of you did anybody say, yeah would have been a great day at the ballpark if it hadn't been for that damn tower in right. If only there wasn't an innocuous led picture of various ballplayers with the time of day on top, I would have been able to enjoy myself. Get over yourself dude The person who chooses the music for the games is on Twitter @RealDanEdwards and from what I heard is the new director of the Minnesota Twins. He is very good at responding on Twitter, and has been asking for suggestions. What a great day at the yard today! Bummer the sun couldn't hang out with us a bit more but great day for ball and great pitching and comeback at the end by our hometown 9! I was just smiling as I got my first taste of being back at the ballpark today, I actually thought the Twins Tower was a neat and for the most part subtle addition to the park, the new batter's eye isn't bad and it was sure great to see Nishi get the ovation we gave him, he said afterwards to a reporter, "That was great, I just wished I could show them what I can do." All in all you couldn't have scripted it better than it went today IMO :) My apologies for the long long run-on sentence at the end of my last post I think the top of the Twins Tower would be a great place for a remote camera for game telecasts. And by the way, why wasn't the game in HD today? I didn't think I would like the Twins Tower thing but I think it squares up the stadium and looks great.Night games it will be even better... Here ya go......
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 11:21 PM by Steve
The only thing I do not like about the Twins Tower is that the closer you are to it the tougher it is to see or gauge what is being shown. When it was in TV shots on the big screen, it looked great from far distances. I'll second that. From far away, and straight on, the tower looked great. But as you get either closer or off to one side, the image begins to get grainier and grainier -- breaking into the vertical strips that it really is. That's not really a criticism. It was still easy enough to distinguish the images. But it was a bit of a surprise. Posted on April 8, 2011 at 11:31 PM by Rick 96 jp - your abhorrent use/non-use of apostrophes is also tiring. And, believe it or not, not everything in TF received Midas' touch. Although you did use "innocuous". Did mommy help you write that? This year's opening day shot. New skyline included.
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 12:10 AM by Jared
"Bert Blyleven kept referring to "Josh Willington" in LF for the Athletics." FAIL! Who gives a shit! What point are you trying to make here? If you have more astounding, OMG moments like these, don't waste our time. To answer your question, "Do you want more?" - yes, we'd like more. Your self-proclaimed job as antagonist requires it. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you, kevin & ben were the same person (though ben seems to be the only one who turns a blind-eye to front-office conspiracies when it come bobble-head give-aways). Couldn't resist the back-handed compliment Luke. You're a good man.
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 12:22 AM by N.D. (aka N.D. "Rube")
Perfect situation for innocuous: Nobody gives a shit but you! Dead serious Truth -- when you go to an opening day MLB game, WTF do you want to see that will ensure an enjoyable experience for you?
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 12:33 AM by N.D. (aka N.D. "Rube")
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"You talk about the magic, the aura, but what really makes a stadium is the fans. Concrete doesn't talk back to you. Chairs don't talk back to you. It's the people who are there, day in, day out, that makes the place magic."– Bernie WilliamsExplore the SiteHere are 50 images chosen randomly from the 3004 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.
The HERC side, viewed from Fifth Street. Seventh Street circulation Press box, hallway to the print room Work in progress. Hardware in the window! (But why are there three trophies? 1924?) Because of the scale, it's sometimes hard to realize that there are actual guys down there doing the tough work! Here they are getting ready to pour a footing. Note reflected sunset (7:30 PM). Could be a worry... People! (In the Legends Club) Inexplicable bright yellow baseball amid the trees. A mural featuring the names of a bunch of Minnesota towns. Before the team came out to warm up, Kirby Puckett, Jr. was playing Frisbee out in center. Mystery door on Seventh Street... Noah is checking out the ample leg room and truly exemplary sight lines. There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow! (I loved this place as a kid.) Double plays will be turned here. This shows the area where the Northstar platform connects with the ballpark (that translucent oval). Above that is the area which will house the Twins operations offices. This looks toward the middle of the park. The third base side of the Legends Club is to the right up ahead, while the 573 Club is just barely visible at the end of the hallway. It extends to the left. Can you name that field? (Braemer Park, Edina) Finished product (Field Terrace) The Guthrie Theater's Wurtele Thrust Stage seating Big Dog A little ground's crew action in the first inning the other night. Stairs and escalator down to the platform This area will supposedly show the Twins chronology. Will it stretch back to 1901? This is one complicated streetscape. Ballpark elevation viewed from Seventh Street. (Click to enlarge.) Welcome Visitors From Two Men On (Accessiblity) Glossary BPM - Ballpark Magic BRT - Bus Rapid Transit DSP - Dave St. Peter FSE - Full Season Equivalent FYS - Fake Yankee Stadium (see also: NYS) HERC - Hennepin Energy Resource Company (aka the Garbage Burner) HPB - Home Plate Box HRP - Home Run Porch LC - Legends Club LRT - Light Rail Transit MBA - Minnesota Ballpark Authority (will own Target Field) MOA - Mall of America MSFC - Minnesota Sports Facilities Commission (owns the Metrodome) NYS - New Yankee Stadium SRO - Standing Room Only STH - Season Ticket Holder TCFBS - TCF Bank Stadium TF - Target Field Selected Bibliography - Analysis Selected Bibliography - Surveys
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