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Images of the Plaza (Part 2)

March 10, 2010 1:37 AM

A day later and the excitement of openings is tempered by bad news about closings.

Nathan greeting the other pitchers on the all-Metrodome team (October 4, 2009)

Joe Nathan's been my favorite active Twin for quite some time, and it's a shame to think that his career is potentially in jeopardy due to injury. I've always thought that what the Twins got in Nathan was much more than a closer. He plays the game hard and smart, and sets a great example for the younger guys on the squad. He knows his job, does his job, and just plain wins.

What's more, he's a great example of how the Twins coaching staff helps players reach their potential. Would any other team have named him as their closer when the Twins did? Not likely. To outward appearances, it looks as if the Twins made him a closer and then brought out the best in him -- which is the opposite of the more traditional pattern. Joe responded to the trust they placed in him by raising his game to another level. If there is a Twins way, that's it. That's Gardy and Rick Anderson right there. It doesn't always work, of course. But Nathan's case has always felt to me like a testament to what's possible when people trust one another.

Upon hearing of the injury and prognosis, my first thought was to his personal situation, but a close second was to the 162+ 9th innings about to commence. I don't have to tell you what's at stake, or how big the question marks are.

And I was so looking forward to hearing "Stand Up and Shout" over that brand new sound system...

But for now, let's return to happier thoughts, walk the plaza and peer through some more gates.

Just to the right, more ticket machines. These things are everywhere.

Peering through Gate 29 -- lots to see

I have to say that I've come to think that those overhead heaters are hilarious -- in a good way. Prepare to feel like a french fry!

Or maybe a better analogy would be baby chicks, since we'll probably be standing around in clumps beneath them, eating our feed.

Gate 29 escalators

Love the lighted, translucent panel

Next up, the Pro Shop.

Great sign

I'm not one to spend much time in pro shops because the prices make my eyes water. This one was no exception.

But it's really a great space, with plenty of natural light and interesting angles. It might be a challenge to merchandise in there because of its size and shape, and stuff is already pretty crammed in. I was bumping into racks down on the skinny end of the store and I was one of only a half dozen people (including employees) in the place. On gameday, this will be a madhouse.

The staff was very friendly, and was gracious enough to let me take a few pictures.

A very unique space

Doors directly to the concourse, and a view of the stands beyond

One of the greatest things about the space may also be something of a problem. On the one hand, there are so many windows that almost everything becomes a window display. There is no mistaking the purpose of this space from the plaza or street.

But hours in the sun will probably fade some of that merchandise pretty quickly. Rotating it all could become somebody's full-time job.

Outside, lots of window space

Seventh Street windows

Come to think of it, that may be UV glass, in which case it's a moot point.

More Veil Talk

Finally, here's a shot I forgot to include yesterday:

Hit gap, win suit!

You can see that the wind veil, though it sticks out a couple of feet from the B ramp facade, does not completely cover that gap between the ramp and the plaza. Through that opening: I-394!

I say that anybody who gets a ball through there and onto the freeway (it's in fair territory, so it'd be a kick-ass homer) should win something fancy. A suit? A car? Indemnity from liability should a windshield get busted? All are good.

There was some discussion today about the parking ramp lighting behind the wind veil. I haven't seen it at night, but it sounds like a potential distraction from the light show they intend to put on.

From my exploration yesterday, it certainly appears possible to put some sort of mask behind it, but I bet there would be issues with air circulation in the ramp, and the panels on the veil might not move as dramatically.

A better solution would be to redesign the lighting in the ramp to minimize bleed-through. Lights mounted on the wall directly behind the veil and pointed in the opposite direction (as opposed to the current overhead style) might just do the trick. Of course, that could take an act of Congress (literally). If it's possible and advisable, I'm sure somebody's all over this. But I have a feeling it's gonna stay this way for a long while.

Great Gateway

I'll leave you with the gateway to Target Field. (Love the signpost. Very understated. This was where they originally wanted to put the Met Stadium flag pole, and we're pretty glad that fell through, right Ben?)

Next up, we go inside.

Comments

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I seriously think signing Smoltz is the obvious and only choice to be the new closer. Mijares definitely proved at the end of last season he doesn't have the mental makeup, Guerrier was born to be an 8th inning set up man, Neshek needs more time to come back from injury, Rauch doesn't have anything unhittable enough to trust him as a closer, and as far as Crain, I can't think of somebody I want to have the ball LESS when the game is on the line. Signing Smoltz must happen and needs to happen. Thoughts?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 01:50 AM by HebrewHammer16 1

I have been thinking of this for some time, but.. I have always thought the retired number banners of Puckett, Killebrew, Carew, etc. that hung in right and right center of the metrodome, would look AWESOME behind the windveil, shielding any bleed through lighting from the parking ramp. As you can see, you can still see much of the ramp behind the windveil, although it looks cool when the wind blows, I think those banners (not sure what happened to them, or if their weather proof) would look amazing against B Ramp facade, behind the windveil from the plaza. Even with the nighttime lighting display. Any thoughts?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 02:11 AM by Jcm-Baseball 2

Very nice pics Rick.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 06:47 AM by luke Secured User 3

Smoltz lacks velocity to be a closer, nobody will fall for him "finesse-ing" it across the plate in close games, especially in the AL. he has only pitched for 8 games in the AL, and his stats during his time with Boston were 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA. I respect him for his great career, but no thanks...

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 07:29 AM by Tom, OG Secured User 4

That last pic at NBA City, where the flag pole was going to go... any concern - especially after games - about that narrow sidewalk space as a pedestrian choke point? or maybe it's just as wide as any other sidewalk...

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:20 AM by schweady Secured User 5

Awesome pics once again, Rick.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:28 AM by OG Jeff Secured User 6

Supposedly the Twins are looking at Jayson Frasor in a trade.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:45 AM by DVS2008 Secured User 7

Sounds like the Twins may be looking at Jason Frasor from the Blue Jays. This would be a solid pick up. He is only 2.65MM and he has lots of AL East experience. That will bode well in the playoffs. I like this move if the Twins pull the trigger. Now, who do we offer up in a trade. You bet your ass they are gonna want a prospect or two. Twins don't like letting prospects go.

Click name for MLBTradeRumors link.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:47 AM by trosy29 Secured User 8

DVS- you read my mind...;-)

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:47 AM by trosy29 Secured User 9

Rick,

Good post, thanks for bringing back the wind veil discussion. Turning the lights to face directly into the ramp could be a quick solution. Something should happen.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:50 AM by Brandon T 10

Looking at that pic makes me wonder (again) why the Twins wanted so badly to put the Met pole there. The only thing I can come up with is that putting the pole there would have allowed the pole to remain at it's full height, which was not possible in "Plan B". The other mystery is why they apparently never even considered locating it inside the park, where I think it belongs.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:03 AM by Ben 11

Ben - It is inside the park. Any closer and it would be on the field.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:10 AM by trosy29 Secured User 12

It's a good question about choke points.

But that picture tells only a very small part of the story. Keep in mind that:

1. The plaza splits in two, with the other branch emptying onto Seventh Street (with a skyway connection in the former emergency exit tower there).

2. The branch seen above also has two exits directly to the skyway system before this point. One is the stairway to the B ramp, and the other is a walkway which crosses Second Avenue and then meets the walkway behind Target Center (with doors to the skyway right there).

3. There are also stairs back there which would allow people to head down to street level, cross Sixth Street, and come toward downtown on the Butler Square side.

4. This walkway is wider than the picture makes it look.

I agree that the potential is there for congestion -- in fact, it's all but a given. But such is the nature of large crowds, and it's clear that the people working on this have taken great measures to make the most of the space they inherited.

It's really some kick-ass engineering.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:13 AM by Rick Secured User 13

Dead center field is what I meant, I guess. Like it was at the Met. Now it's just a black pole. At the Met it was a FLAGPOLE.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:15 AM by Ben 14

Rick writes --"On gameday, this will be a madhouse."

Maybe it will end up fulfilling a Yogi-ism: "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." :-)

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:17 AM by Dan Secured User 15

Thanks, Rick. I haven't been to that spot since the plywood barrier was taken down, and it REALLY looked narrow then.

Way back when the Twins were asking about features fans would like at the new ballpark, walking spaces was my main thing, including being able to walk all of the way around the outside of the park. While the space around by the burner is no great shakes as of yet, they did a bang-up job with that little postage stamp area.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:27 AM by schweady Secured User 16

I'm all for the history of the pole, but putting it in center would seem too gimmicky, in my opinion. Plus, it wouldn't mesh with the old logo sign that is already there. Where it is now, the countless fans coming in from the plaza can admire it close up.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:30 AM by DVS2008 Secured User 17

Jeeuz Ben reading your posts the past couple days, could you possibly be any more of a downer?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:32 AM by moda253 18

The one good thing about the Plaza ramp, though it's small, is at least it keeps people moving AWAY from TF and the escape points that Rick mentioned. How bad will the congestion be after games back on the gates by the light rail station? You exit and you're basically on top of the trains.

Also, is signage or shade or anything else planned for the promenade? I was sweating walking back there last weekend, when it was 40°F, and I was only wearing a light sweatshirt.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:37 AM by Chad 19

seems as if a possible expansion of the plaza could be to continue it full width of the stadium footprint and over 394. I can see a grilling area and who knows what else. Not the same as the old Met but a nice expansive space would be pretty great.

Wish they had done that off the bat. No pun intended.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM by OldMetFan Secured User 20

moda253:

It's okay to inhabit the real world from time to time - you might think about trying it out.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM by Ben 21

Says the man handing out life lessons on a freaking blog.... too damn funny.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:45 AM by moda253 22

Since the city is going to be closing off 1st Ave on game days, I think that may alleviate some of the "choke point" problems; since you won't have hundreds of people standing on the corner waiting for the light to turn green. I suppose some folks will just avoid it all-together and come around from 7th Street.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:47 AM by AndyG 23

Old Met Fan, I think that will be the solution a few years down the road. I'm sure that was an initial option, but I don't know what their reasoning was to not extend the plaza all the way to TC.

I'm hoping they eventually do extend it...and create a new facade to TC on that side.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:48 AM by DreDogg Secured User 24

I have here that if they extended the plaza all the way, it would create a tunnel and not a bridge over 394 and that creates a whole slew of stricter regs that need to be followed.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:55 AM by trosy29 Secured User 25

**heard**

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:56 AM by trosy29 Secured User 26

it's a pleasant surprise how roomy the plaza and sidewalks feel. the 7th st side is particularly wide, almost to the point of overkill. they can set up a ton of tables in front of Hrbek's. walking the plaza last weekend if had a very open feel, right in the heart of downtown. the whole plan just seems as if it will work fine because of gate set-up and points of interest on the site. sure it was void of people last weekend but it has a feel about it that is better than I anticipated.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:12 AM by tim 27

The eventual building of the new transit platform across 5th St will alleviate the congestion there. Unfortunately, we will have to deal with at least 3 years of mayhem before they approve/build the alternative. That is one the one project I feel they fast-tracked, in order to have some sort of LRT platform for the first ever game.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:26 AM by DreDogg Secured User 28

Trosy,

You are correct. However, I believe the Twins built the plaza according to federal tunnel regulations in case there was ever an expansion in the future.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:28 AM by Wanda Phillips Secured User 29

One interesting thing about potential choke points will be the question of whether people take the routes that the planners expect or concentrate in greater than anticipated numbers along other routes. For instance, I think the Xcel Energy Center greatly underestimated the number of people entering and exiting at 7th and Kellogg in comparison to other gates. Meanwhile Target Center ended up having to reshuffle access to its escalator bank on the 6th Street side in the name of crowd control and safety due to far more fans than anticipated choosing to exit via that route in comparison to the fire stairs on the 1st and 2nd Avenue sides. I can see access point tweaks to TF down the line after crowd establishes its traffic patterns.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:51 AM by Jorge Secured User 30

Just got my tickets in the mail. For the record, the extra pre-sale exhibition tickets DID NOT come in my ST package. Wonder when they'll be here?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:58 AM by Jimmer Secured User 31

I've thought the same thing about your posts Ben. Good info but you are a stick in the mud. Also, we need to start calling you BENcyclopedia. You seem to have the answers for everything. Bring it down a notch big guy.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:04 AM by Jim Secured User 32

Jimmer, what package did you buy?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:05 AM by jpberka 33

I got 20GM package E... Got 4 for the 2nd exhibition with the plan, and 4 for the first in the presale. Exhibition in my seats for gm 2 came, but not the ones I ordered for gm 1.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:08 AM by Jimmer Secured User 34

I may have read some comments on this already, but I ordered Apr 2 exhibition game tickets, and like a dork I opted to have them sent to my house. I have not received them yet. Are others in this same boat?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:10 AM by Steeks 35

Yeah, same here... I'd rather have a ticket stub, especially since its the first Twins game there, exhibition or not

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM by Jimmer Secured User 36

For those who have been to the new Pro Shop at the park, how does the overall selection compare to the mall based Pro Shops or even what can be found at a Champs Sports type store or online?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM by Jorge Secured User 37

I just emailed my ticket rep, as he previously stated that the presale tickets would be sent with the ST package.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:16 AM by Jimmer Secured User 38

Received my tix to the Open House for the "Delta Sky360 Legend's Club."

One question: Why is it called the "Legend's Club" instead of the Legends Club? Is there just one Legend and does he/she/it own the Club?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM by s (aka msp) 39

It shows those 4 tickets with the rest of my ST on MyTwinsTickets... odd.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM by Jimmer Secured User 40

The Pro Shop has a good selection. It had things that I had not seen at stores or online. You are going to spend more buying at the Pro Shop. A Sweatshirt I bought for 55 at the mall was 75 at the Pro Shop.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:20 AM by Joe117 Secured User 41

Good point, really it should probably be Legends' Club, but that looks tacky, I think just Legends would be best.

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:22 AM by Brandon T 42

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Images of the Plaza (Part 1)

March 9, 2010 1:39 AM

Today was a big day with very little fanfare. The final barricades came down from the plaza, the hot dogs were introduced, and the Pro Shop opened. (I've got links to a few other smaller things on the Facebook feed. If you haven't already, be sure to become a fan so you won't miss those.)

Continue reading this article

Great Days, Believe It

March 7, 2010 2:35 AM

These are great days to be a Twins fan. I'd tell you why, but I don't think I have to.

And these are great days to be a ballpark fan as well. Again, I don't have to tell you why, but somebody should really tell Reusse:

Continue reading this article

Learning, Discovering

March 4, 2010 11:18 PM

Taking a trip down to the ballpark between appointments this afternoon was a spontaneous decision which reaped some surprising rewards.

It has seemed for months now like all we can do is wait for the gates to swing open, that there was nothing left to discover from the sidewalks. Well, wrong.

Continue reading this article

Training Time

February 24, 2010 11:17 AM

Will you be in shape when the season starts? Will you be a lean, mean Mauer or a flabby Mijares?

Well, the Twins are working out, and so should you. Here, inning by inning, is your spring training regimen to prepare for a new ballpark.

Inning 1: Read everything you can. (Click image to buy the book.)

Continue reading this article

Earlier Articles

Eight Weeks and Counting February 17, 2010

A Whiff of Baseball February 1, 2010

Signs and Portents January 20, 2010

Chicken - Brats - Fries January 17, 2010

Roll It Over January 2, 2010

What Tom Petty Said December 4, 2009

Change-Up November 27, 2009

Oh Say, Can You See? November 18, 2009

Beyond Ballparks October 30, 2009

On CBP, Umping, and Gawking October 23, 2009

Amenity Deliveries October 20, 2009

And we'll see you at Target Field! October 14, 2009

Hello, Metrodome October 11, 2009

Playoff Day Off October 8, 2009

Metrodome Magic! October 6, 2009

After Midnight October 6, 2009

An Era That Won't End October 5, 2009

Game On October 4, 2009

A Fitting Send-Off October 3, 2009

Celebrate Good Times October 1, 2009

Autumnal Equinox September 22, 2009

September Stretch September 21, 2009

A Football Place: Nuts and Bolts September 3, 2009

Leaves of Grass August 29, 2009

Grassy August 28, 2009

The Grass Moves! August 24, 2009

Restoration August 23, 2009

Opportunity August 22, 2009

Plaza Trees August 21, 2009

Ninja-Style Details August 12, 2009

Going Ninja August 11, 2009

Inside the Bowl August 1, 2009

Dotting I's July 29, 2009

A Preview (And Not) July 25, 2009

A Moose Tour July 21, 2009

Take the Survey July 19, 2009

July Poking Around #3 July 15, 2009

Intermission July 14, 2009

July Poking Around #2 July 10, 2009

July Poking Around #1 July 10, 2009

Sunny Summer Dream July 5, 2009

Story Time June 24, 2009

OK, New Thread June 13, 2009

More Toppings June 8, 2009

One Topped Off, One Finished Off June 6, 2009

Yeah, We All Shine On May 29, 2009

Now THIS Is Twins Territory May 28, 2009

A No Photo, Web Only Tour May 23, 2009

Key Ballpark Ingredient: Swagger May 20, 2009

Plunked May 13, 2009

Spring Swing (Finale) and More May 10, 2009

Spring Swing (Part 4) May 9, 2009

Spring Swing (Part 3) May 8, 2009

Spring Swing (Part 2) May 8, 2009

Spring Swing May 7, 2009

Play Ball! Finale April 29, 2009

Play Ball! Tour - Part 2 April 25, 2009

Rain, Homers, Seats, Dogs April 23, 2009

Random Thursday in April April 9, 2009

Ahh, That's More Like It April 8, 2009

Hello, Goodbye April 7, 2009

Fun With Former Twins April 1, 2009

A Ninja Tour March 30, 2009

Plaza Particulars (Part 2) March 10, 2009

Plaza Particulars (Part 1) March 7, 2009

Ballpark Spring Training March 6, 2009

Of Topiaries, Hops and Wind Veils February 12, 2009

Sunny Tour Finale February 4, 2009

Seeing Our Shadow February 3, 2009

Hello, February! (14 months out...) February 2, 2009

So Long, January! February 1, 2009

So Long, Baseball Friend January 5, 2009

Happy New Year! December 30, 2008

Your Ballpark Calendar (and more) December 15, 2008

A New Plaza Design? December 1, 2008

The Concourse, Of Course November 27, 2008

Plaza-Walking November 16, 2008

View From the Ground November 12, 2008

Strolling the Promenade November 7, 2008

Tour Photos, Part Two November 5, 2008

Ah, the View (Level)! November 5, 2008

You Decide! November 4, 2008

Trick or Treat, Metrodome Style October 31, 2008

Canopy Skeleton! October 28, 2008

So Long, Yankee Stadium (Updated, Again) October 18, 2008

So Long, Tiger Stadium October 11, 2008

Sunny Steel Stroll October 10, 2008

Twins in '08: Ballpark Magic October 2, 2008

All About Levels September 19, 2008

It Could Have Been Better/Worse September 16, 2008

Experiencing The Stadium September 13, 2008

Washed Out, But It's OK September 12, 2008

An All-Star Bid September 10, 2008

Rain, Rain, Go Away September 9, 2008

A Football Stadium Takes Shape August 31, 2008

Rooftop Visions August 30, 2008

What's Ballpark Magic? August 22, 2008

Flag Pole: En Route? August 20, 2008

Sent to the Showers (For the Team!) August 20, 2008

The Newest Twins Fan August 11, 2008

Sunset Limestone July 29, 2008

From the Plaza July 19, 2008

Stoned! July 16, 2008

Move Along, Nothing to Enjoy Here July 12, 2008

Home Land -- Safe! July 10, 2008

Becoming a Baseball Place June 25, 2008

Tailgaiting? Wind? Golf? June 5, 2008

Construction Update - May 29 May 30, 2008

Halfway Home May 17, 2008

Hooky, Anyone? May 16, 2008

New Ballpark Construction Views #3 May 10, 2008

New Ballpark Construction Views #2 May 9, 2008

Ballparkus Tourus Interruptus May 9, 2008

Construction Update from Greg May 7, 2008

A Better View May 3, 2008

Sharing and Caring Thoughts April 19, 2008

Curses April 15, 2008

Fox9 Report on Ballpark Names April 4, 2008

Ballpark Name Domain Wrap-Up April 4, 2008

Twins to Speculators: Hold Your Domains! April 3, 2008

Ballpark Jots April 2, 2008

Land O' Lakes Field?!? April 2, 2008

Hi-Def? Lo-Def? April 1, 2008

Sometimes It Snows In...March March 31, 2008

Ballpark Name Clues March 21, 2008

Let's Review March 20, 2008

Just Add Beams February 15, 2008

Frigid Plaza Progress February 12, 2008

Quick Construction Update February 7, 2008

Model Details - Twinsfest 2008 February 6, 2008

Santana Banners January 30, 2008

Model Details - An Earlier Vision January 23, 2008

Let It Pour! January 23, 2008

Model Details - Part 5 January 22, 2008

Model Details - Part 4 January 21, 2008

Model Details - Part 3 January 20, 2008

Model Details - Part 2 January 19, 2008

Model Details - Part 1 January 18, 2008

Shaking It Off January 18, 2008

Blah, Ballpark, Blah January 16, 2008

So Long, Class of '01 November 24, 2007

Ballpark Odds and Ends November 22, 2007

Construction Update November 20, 2007

Being Green November 5, 2007

Touring the Virtual Tour November 3, 2007

A Tale of Two Outfields November 3, 2007

Sizing It Up October 31, 2007

Live at the Meeting October 30, 2007

Respect. October 20, 2007

Done and Done October 15, 2007

Piles to Rails to Cranes September 28, 2007

Let's Build August 31, 2007

A Fair Discovery August 23, 2007

Ramping Up August 21, 2007

Accidental Preview August 16, 2007

Rescheduled August 9, 2007

Well, Now What? August 9, 2007

Impatience. Shock. Grief. August 1, 2007

Plan Your Outing August 1, 2007

Color Dreams July 24, 2007

Webcam! July 11, 2007

Summer Smells (of Rats) July 6, 2007

Officially Nuts June 25, 2007

Bad Ballparks June 25, 2007

A Special Fan June 19, 2007

...and a Major Concern. June 12, 2007

A Major Find June 11, 2007

Mark Your Calendar June 11, 2007

More Model Talk June 6, 2007

Concepts and Measurements June 1, 2007

First Dirt May 21, 2007

Introductions May 17, 2007

Poised and Ready May 15, 2007

No More Guesswork May 10, 2007

So, It Begins May 8, 2007

Happy Sigh. May 2, 2007

The Magic of the Event April 28, 2007

But Can It Soar? April 17, 2007

Watch Out For That Railing! April 15, 2007

More Reacting April 14, 2007

A Great First Impression April 12, 2007

Ah, Unveiling At Hand April 10, 2007

Washington Malaise March 14, 2007

Stealing Our Thunder March 13, 2007

Crickets March 8, 2007

Pogin on Almanac March 2, 2007

Potential Sites March 2, 2007

Heads Up March 2, 2007

Communication, People February 28, 2007

Wither, Rapid Park February 26, 2007

Equal Time February 24, 2007

Bad Faith? February 18, 2007

How Much Room...Really February 9, 2007

Wind Tunnel? December 14, 2006

A Tantalizing First Glimpse December 7, 2006

Wireless Dreaming November 15, 2006

Fake History? October 27, 2006

We Don't Need No Stinking Roof! October 26, 2006

Playoff Ballparks 2006 October 5, 2006

Becoming a Baseball Town October 1, 2006

Ballpark Seats With a View? September 29, 2006

Oh, the Ideas! September 28, 2006

Make It a Green Field September 26, 2006

Honoring Baseball's Mill City August 6, 2006

About Authority August 4, 2006

A Hot Dog...Please? July 28, 2006

Ballpark History Foiled July 13, 2006

Who's Got the Details? June 29, 2006

Loose Ends June 23, 2006

Meet the Ballpark Authority June 22, 2006

More Reasons June 21, 2006

Proudly Anti-Roof June 15, 2006

To Roof, or Not to Roof June 13, 2006

Baseball Soon, Parking Now, Lumber Then June 8, 2006

Killebrew Field June 6, 2006

Flag Pole - Part 2 June 5, 2006

A River Runs Through It June 2, 2006

The Plan June 2, 2006

How Much Ballpark? June 1, 2006

Getting There (and Out) June 1, 2006

Some Flagpole History June 1, 2006

A Great Baseball Place? June 1, 2006

Introducing the Site May 31, 2006

Some St. Peter Answers May 31, 2006

A Brief Delay May 31, 2006

It's Official May 28, 2006

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Explore the Site

Here are 50 images chosen randomly from the 1869 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.

Skywalk over Seventh

Note reflected sunset (7:30 PM). Could be a worry...

Concept drawing of Coomer gate (click to enlarge)

This is the Carew gate covered in plastic.

Detail enclosing the main ticket window area

The electronic sign has been corrected (and never forget that ballpark is one word, not two)

The HERC promenade side.

Here's a closer look at the bullpen area. It's hard to tell for sure, but I think there is still an opening to the concourse right above.

Serious home dugout work in progress.

Limestone facing and flowers on the right field overhang

A view into the Legend's Club

I don't exactly know what this is. A first-aid station? Concession office?

The glorious Gate 34

Quote wall

Main ticket window area

The back row of seats in straight-away center. Note that, beyond those seats, you can see the planters (for flowers) on the front of the Left Field Bleachers.(Batters Eye)