Twins ticketing procedures

I'd like to look for a moment at some of the new ticketing and seating procedures you will see from the Minnesota Twins, procedures that are different from what they have been at the Dome for so many years, and how the Twins are informing the fans about them.

The Twins have done a very good job on their Web site informing fans of new things that will be awaiting them at Target Field that have not been existent in the Dome.

First, it must be noted that not all 39,506 seats at Target Field will be the same. Some will be plastic seats, a la the Dome. However, others will be padded, some will have wooden seat backs, and some will be bleacher seats. The Twins put together this page (http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/tf_seat_by_section.jsp) on their Web site to show you what parts of the stadium have what kinds of seats.

The Twins also have a 3D seat-simulator on seats3d.com which shows you section-by-section an approximate view from your seat. Just click on a section, and the simulator generates an image within seconds. This simulator can be found here: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/seat_view.jsp .

As I noted in an earlier post, the Twins are also informing fans that transportation around Target Field will be much different from the Dome. Target Field has been lauded as being one of the most accessible and transit-friendly parks in Major League Baseball. This portion of their website, http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/transportation/index.jsp tells you all of your options.

The team is strongly suggesting mass transit to get to the ballpark. There also is ample parking within just a few short blocks of the stadium. Be warned, rush-hour traffic could be a nightmare after some of those 12:10 starts start letting out around 3pm (my first game at Target Field on April 14 is a 12:10 start. I'm planning on taking the bus). Plan accordingly.

Target Field is a new stadium. Most fans might think, "Obstructed view seats? In a new ballpark? Perish the thought!" Indeed, there are some partially-obstructed-view seats at Target Field.

I must preface this by saying I won the opportunity, along with several other fans, to get first crack at purchasing tickets for the first regular-season series at Target Field against the Boston Red Sox. I was emailed a special password and had to wait in an e-waiting room for my chance to purchase tickets. After about 20 minutes and much patience (and 3 browser windows open) I had my chance. 2 seats, Section 111 Row 24. 62 bucks a pop. But, hey, it's worth it.

My seats, which are closer to home plate than first base are considered "partially-obstructed." Why? The seating level above section 111 overhangs the lower level. Because of that, a portion of the scoreboard in left field will not be visible. Also, because of the angle of the seats further down on the first base side, plays made in the right-field corner will probably be out of sight.

Being there is good enough for me. I won't be too concerned about that. But, I found all that out here: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ticketing/restricted_view.jsp .

Here is a new one, that I don't think the Twins have dealt with yet, but probably will soon enough. And that is the issue of rain outs. For the last 27 years, we haven't had to worry about rain outs. Now, it could pose a problem. I have seen a prototype of the tickets the Twins will be using this year, and towards the bottom of the stub are printed the words "Rain Check."

I have not heard or seen anything from the Twins in regards to rain/weather procedures. I'm too young to remember how they did it at Met Stadium. You'll probably be able to use the ticket for the make-up game, whenever that occurs, and go see the rest of the game you paid for. Of course, rain outs give us a fun little thing in baseball: doubleheaders.

Of course, it would be prudent to note that, if you have a ticket for Game A, and Game A is rained out and is played in a doubleheader the next day with Game B, you're only entitled to go to Game A, and not both. Unless of course you have season tickets; or purchased a couple games back-to-back. If you stay for Game B and only have a ticket for Game A, be ready to come face-to-face with an angry fan because you're sitting in their seat!

I'm sure within the next few weeks, weather procedures will be worked out.

It is hard to believe that Target Field will see its first Twins game one month from today, on April 2 (an exhibition game against the St Louis Cardinals). The Gophers baseball team will play at the stadium on March 27, mostly as a dry-run for ballpark staff, concession procedures, entry procedures and so forth.

So far, the Twins have done a great job in the PR department, gearing people up for a new experience in Twins baseball.