Sports Day in Minnesota - an idea

Some of us may know that Fox Sports North (FSN), the regional cable sports network here in the Twin Cities, annually sponsors what they call "Hockey Day in Minnesota." FSN broadcasts peewee games, a high school game, a Gophers game and a Wild game all in the same day.

I was thinking the other day, now that Minnesota's sports teams all have a place of their own to play, what if all four major teams and the Gophers, played at home, on the same day?

It could work. It would be an economic boom for the Twin Cities with all those people. The TV networks would love the revenue. Here's how I envision it would work, and who would broadcast what.

We start the day at 11am with the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The game would be carried either by ESPN or the Big Ten Network.

You could have a Wild game at 2pm at the Xcel Energy Center, broadcast by FSN.

It would take some doing with the NFL, but suppose there was a Vikings game at the Dome at about 3pm. Maybe even 4pm. This is where it could get a little interesting. Depending on whether FOX has the Major League Baseball playoffs that year, they might opt to show the World Series instead of a mid-season NFL game.

If Turner Broadcasting had the playoffs that year, just throw a couple million dollars at FOX to broadcast the game.

The overlap with the Wild game wouldn't be too bad.

Then, say the Timberwolves have their home opener at 5pm at Target Center. This one would be broadcast locally on Channel 45, KSTC.

And then, the piece de resistance, the Minnesota Twins play at Target Field at 7pm. For all five of these games to converge like this, it would put this particular day on or around October 28. The NBA regular-season doesn't start until very late October at the earliest.

And, it also assumes that the Twins likely took their season to Game 7 of the World Series that year.

All five teams would be very happy of course. All five are taking tickets, at home, in their own place, on the same day. I envision officials from MetroTransit at each venue passing out balloons, making speeches and throwing rice, celebrating the fact that the light rail systems they built and the commuter rail are working at full capacity.

This day probably would work best after the Central Corridor light rail along University Avenue is completed.

Downtown Minneapolis would benefit the most, as you'd have 40,000 for the Twins game. 63,000 for the Vikings game. 20,000 for the Timberwolves game. Another 50,000 just across the river for the Gophers. And, downtown Saint Paul would see 18,000 for the hockey game.

Restaurants and bars would be crowded. Streets would be buzzing with people. Traffic would be miserable (for those that didn't take mass transit). But, that would be one fun day.

Section 310

Today, I finally got back to Target Field for the game against the Mariners.
And finally, the Twins win a game that I attended!

If you're looking for a good seat for a Twins game, look no further than Section 310 (and 311). These two sections make up the "Our Family Section" at Target Field.

For $24.00, it's not a bad deal. The seats are a lot closer to home plate than they are to first base. And, you get a coupon for a free Twins Dog (a great hot dog choice at Target Field) and a regular soda.

Be aware: alcohol is not sold or permitted in these sections.

I do like the upper concourse at Target Field. It's really no wider (23 feet) than the claustrophobic ones at the Metrodome (or "the other place"), but keep in mind, the upper concourse at the Metrodome services about 34,000 people. The upper concourse at Target Field services about 11,000.

Around this area, it takes a little getting used to, as there is a walkway that serves as an auxiliary concourse for the 300 level. The upper concourse services both the Terrace level (200s) and the Upper level (300s). So, this little walkway makes it a bit easier for those in the 300s to get to their seats.

The view is great. You can see everything from up there. No wondering, "where is the ball?" You can clearly see every hit, and determine whether its fair or an out.

I was very pleased with the number of roaming vendors up in the 300s. At the other place, you were lucky if you saw a few. But, the bright yellow jackets from Delaware North (the Twins' concessionaire) were everywhere up there. A very nice change.

Today was the quickest game I have ever seen at Target Field, just a little over two hours. And, exiting the park was the easiest I have experienced in all the times I've been there.

I have learned by experience, do NOT exit the ballpark through Gate 6. Gate 6 is over on the left field side. You might think it's easier to get out there than traipse all the way through Target Field to get to the main entrance, Gate 34, over on the right field side. Believe me, traipse.

Gate 6 is where the light rail station is. There is a queue area there, that, if you don't take the light rail to Target Field, you'll be caught up in. And, your exit from Target Field will almost double.

From our section, we simply took the walkway until it stopped. Walked through the upper concourse to the escalators down by Section 302. We got out of there in probably less than ten minutes. Even ten minutes might be an overstatement.

I suppose one of the reasons it is so easy getting out of there is because all the gates open with turnstiles moved to the side, allowing everybody to flow out freely. Unlike the other place, there are no revolving doors forcing you to go out single-file.

Today was an interesting game also, as it was the three-year anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse. Flags were flying at half-staff today, per Gov. Pawlenty's declaration. I was somewhat surprised that there wasn't a moment of silence observed; either when the National Anthem was played, or in the seventh inning, when God Bless America was sung.

Ever since the tragedy, the Twins have always played at home on August 1. And, up until today, they have been night games. Usually, per the governor's declaration, a moment of silence is observed at 6:05pm, the exact minute of the collapse. With today's 1:10 start, I thought they might have made an exception. But they did not.

Here's what really bothers me. The Twins just came off of a road trip lasting several days. They came home last Friday for a three-game set against the Mariners. Now, they're going back on the road for 12 games.

I'm sorry, but around here, this is the time to show off outdoor baseball in Minnesota. The summer of 2010 is one of the best summers I can remember; and is a terrific argument to all those who thought we needed a roof on the place.

I suppose it could be possible that Major League Baseball is watching the Twins this year, to see how Target Field plays during a Minnesota summer. What do they have to compare it against? Minnesota ballgames have been played under a fabric sky for 28 years, what does MLB know about Minnesota summers?

Hopefully, the schedule will favor the Twins better in the summer, and we'll see more home games in the summer months.

One comment I made to my brother as we were leaving, "I think the Twins should play all 162 games here." That got a chuckle from a fan behind me.

Thanks for reading. Click "Section 310" for pictures from today's game.