Target Field - what a sight Part II

click on "Target Field - what a sight Part II" you will be led to the Flickr site where I posted the rest of my pictures-----

I went today to go see the Red Sox and the Twins. My first real game at Target Field.
Today had a bit of everything: sunshine, a Twins home run, a rain delay, and unfortunately a Twins loss.

It was one thing to be there for the open house; it was entirely another to be there for a game. Via my experience, I thought I might tell you about some more highlights and not-so-highlights of my trip today.

The concourses can get congested. I was down on the 100 level concourse and it moved along, but dodging in and out of people was as much of my experience today as it was at the Dome. However, even though there is gridlock in the concourse, it is wider (about twice as wide as the Dome), so you don't feel like you're stuck. It is probably one of those things that will slowly work itself out.

Exacerbating the situation were slow lines at concession stands. I got my food early, and before the end of the inning. But later on in the game, I went up to the concession stand for a Pepsi. The line was so long, I almost said "forget it". BUT, I looked over to the right, and there was a concession stand over by Gate 14 and the entrance to Hrbek's, just a few steps away that hardly had anyone at all.

I have heard others say that if the main concourse is too busy, you might find better luck on the 300 level concourse.

Food is good here, but expensive, so be prepared. My Dinger Dog (almost a foot-long hot dog), cheese curds (better than the State Fair) and Souvenir Pepsi came to about $14.

While I am on the subject of concessions, a quick note: not all concession stands are the same at Target Field. Example: I went to the Hennepin Grille concession stand behind our section to get a Big Dog (the replacement for the Dome Dog). I was informed that the Hennepin Grille did not sell the Big Dog, and that it could be found at a stand down by Section 105.

Which I probably would have figured out, if I had consulted the Concession Guide that I picked up today. It is a pocket-schedule-sized guide to all the concessions offered at Target Field (information can also be found at http://www.tasteoftwinsterritory.com). But, if I had gone to 105, I probably would have missed out on those cheese curds.

The sound system at Target Field is miles ahead of the Metrodome. However, where we were sitting in Section 110, I felt like I was front-row, main-floor at a Guns N' Roses concert. It seemed to me that the sound system was a bit, too loud back there. The back rows in the lower level sit underneath the Legends Club overhang. So, there are speakers aplenty; and also flat screen TV's.

Walking around on the Plaza, I felt like I was at the State Fair. The people roaming around, the smell of great food, sunshine - it had the feel and ambiance of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. There is lots of room, and if you're going for the first time, you can walk around with the greatest of ease to check out our new ballpark. Gates open 1.5 hours before weekday games, and 2 hours before weekend games.

And yes, we had a rain-delay today. Not much of a delay, 15 minutes at best, there is plenty to do and see at Target Field while waiting out the rain. There are several restaurants within Target Field that are open to all ticket holders. Hrbek's, over by Gate 14 (third base); the Town Ball Tavern on the left field side (inside the administration building) and also the Twins Pub - which if memory serves right, is on the Legends Club level, but is open to everyone.

You can also head over to the Majestic Clubhouse Store to find a souvenir. Beware: prices are hefty but there is a good selection of items.

And, while you're there, don't forget to take a look at the wind veil. It truly is a great piece of work and on a day like today, can capture your attention.

As for the Metrodome? I honestly can't believe we played there for 28 years.

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.

No More Dome Dogs ??!!??

Continuing my writings on the PR of the Minnesota Twins as they move closer towards baseball at Target Field (it won't be long now), here's an interesting one I heard today, Hormel won't be the hot dog supplier at Target Field.

According to an article in today's StarTribune (http://www.startribune.com/local/85210112.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr) Hormel is ending a corporate sponsorship with the Twins that has existed since 2001.

Personally, I had thought that Hormel might get the naming rights for the Twins' new ballpark. Hormel Field does have a nice ring to it. And, it is a local company.

If you've been to a Twins game, you see every once in a while promotional items from Hormel, stadium signage, and lest we forget the infamous "Hormel Row of Fame" in-stadium promotion where every fan in one lucky row, in a section picked at random wins a "Hormel hot dog treat," as the song goes.

With Hormel's departure, the Dome Dog will also depart from concession stands at the Dome. I have mixed feelings about that. First, the Dome Dog isn't one of those pre-cooked hot dogs that are placed in tin wrap and stuck in a warmer for three hours, making the bun soggy and the hot dog mediocre. Dome Dogs are placed on a fresh sesame seed bun (I believe the Our Family brand). Not only that, you also get a bag of chips.

While Hormel may not be the greatest hot dog on the market, I will miss the Dome Dog. Ever since its inception a few years ago, Dome Dogs are my meal of choice at the Dome, regardless of the event.

Apparently, according to the article, the parting was an "amicable" one. But, we are now left to wonder who will supply our hot dogs at the open-air Target Field in just a few short weeks. I have also read that the new concessionaire for Target Field, Delaware North SportService, specializes in hot dogs in the stadiums and arenas they service; so, maybe they'll come up with something better than the Dome Dog.

Maybe a hot dog and, cheese curds?