Target Field - what a sight

I was fortunate enough to score tickets from a friend to the Target Field open house last weekend (an event "exclusive" to season ticket holders), and was I ever surprised at what I saw.

Walking up to the ballpark from 6th St. was almost unreal. Slowly, walking by Target Center and over I-394, it started coming into view. The sounds, the people, the huge video board in left field. All the pictures I have been looking at for the last three years was right in front of me.

I wanted to sit in as many price locations as possible, see as much as possible, take as many pictures as possible (250 + to be exact). I'd like to leave you with some of my impressions:

As far as seating, anything is better than the Dome. I do highly recommend the Grandstand. The Grandstand sits between center field and right field. I don't, however, recommend the seats directly below it, the Powerball Pavillion. These seats, to me were very tight and uncomfortable; and I wasn't the only one that thought that. I heard comments from others who felt the same way.

I really enjoyed the Home Run Porch seats out in left field, as well as the left field bleachers. You won't be able to see the big video board as it will be directly behind you (the video board is positioned much the same manner as it is in the Dome). And, be warned, the upper seats in the Porch area are incredibly steep. If you thought the upper level seats at the Dome were steep, your legs haven't experienced anything yet.

It was so nice being able to walk the concourses there and not feel cramped. I honestly have no idea how many people were there that day, but it didn't seem like alot because the concourses are so spacious and wide.

And, buyer beware of the right field bleachers. Those were the last seats we tried (which was about 3pm). The sun had already passed by, so it was very shady and very windy back there. Well, early on in the season, buyer beware. On a July day, they might not be so bad. But, they are aluminum, so they can get cold on a cold day and will be scorching on a hot day.

I am pretty certain I did see seat cushions being sold in the Twins Store, however.

The overall experience was so great. The sound from the PA system didn't seem to carry as much as I thought it would. There wasn't much of an echo, or a 'delayed echo' that you sometimes get from loudspeaker systems outdoors. What really surprised me, was how little I actually heard standing on the plaza, outside the confines of the ballpark.

I knew the sound system was on, they were replaying game 163 from last season on the big scoreboard, but out on the plaza, you could hardly hear it. That is good news for surrounding neighbors, but potentially bad news for folks out on the plaza. There are lots of speakers throughout the concourses of the stadium though, so you will hear incredibly well when you're out getting a hot dog.

And, there are flat screen TV's aplenty at Target Field. Don't worry about missing any of the action.

One interesting note, as I entered the main gate, open house tickets in hand, I had to ask the ticket taker/security guard whether he needed to see the tickets. He didn't even ask me for them. The day before, I heard a story of someone who got tickets the same way I did (through another friend) and was actually stopped at the gate and his name was checked on a list (and he knew it wasn't going to be there).

So, I was relieved I didn't have my name checked against a list (these open houses were for season ticket holders after all); but surprised at the same time upon entering the ballpark and somewhat of a lac luster approach. Granted, when the turnstiles are installed and actual baseball begins at Target Field, things will probably be much better upon entry to the stadium.

It was nice to be there to explore areas (i.e. the club levels and suites) that I wouldn't get to explore without an expensive ticket or season ticket. The only spot at Target Field I missed was the Metropolitan Club, over on the right field side. It had been a long day and it was starting to feel like I had been to the State Fair.

It's only a few short days now until my first ever game at Target Field. Incidentally, I checked out my seats while at the open house. The Twins do warn people on their website that in the lower level, from about row 24 and up, part of the video board will be obstructed because the club level overhangs the lower level by a couple rows.

Well, I have row 24 in an 'obstructed' area. So I was a bit concerned. I could see the whole video board, no problem. One row up, row 25, might have been a different tale.

It was quite an experience.

Twins Ticket buying strategy

Just as I did on March 1...I spent a good twenty minutes in an online "waiting room" for tickets to the rest of the Twins games this season at Target Field. Might I say, buying Twins tickets through their Web site is one of the most infuriating experiences you'll ever have.

I sat with five browsers open, each for a different weekend game. Many times I saw messages telling me the transaction activity was too high or the number of seats I was looking for was unavailable in a particular section.

After much perseverance, I finally did score tickets in the Family Section on August 1 against the Mariners.
Please note, this will be my last time purchasing tickets through the Twins Web site.

However, there are alot of other reputable sites through which to purchase Twins tickets. I'd like to share some of them with you:

http://www.ticketkingonline.com/ - a Hudson, WI-based company who guarantees their tickets. They are pricey however. Tickets for the opening game against the Boston Red Sox are taking in anywhere from $200-$400 a ticket, and that's just in the upper reaches of the stadium. Team performance can sometimes affect the going rate for tickets here, and they can substantially go down during the season.

http://www.stubhub.com/ - A ticket broker service that, if memory serves correctly, is the "official" secondary ticket supplier for Major League Baseball. Note of caution, the "fees" and other charges associated with this particular service are rather high. Buyer beware.

http://www.ebay.com/ - I think everyone knows eBay. eBay is an online auction site, and I've seen several listings for Twins tickets in the last few days. Incidentally, my tickets for the Oct. 4 game last season were purchased via a contact I made through eBay looking for tickets to another game. Of course, with eBay, the highest bid wins, and shipping charges are usually reasonable.

Of course, there's always the old-fashioned way of going to the Twins ticket office at Target Field and purchasing tickets walk-up. Games this year are in very high demand however, and I'm beginning to wonder exactly how many tickets will be available for walk-ups once the season starts.

After two successful but irritating experiences buying from the Twins Web site, I have opted to stick with eBay and a "ticket exchange" group that is being started with members of a blog site I frequent which has been tracking the construction of Target Field since the funding bill was originally passed in May, 2006.

It still promises to be a great season, and I can't wait for my first game on April 14.

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?

Report from TwinsFest 2010

Spring is in the air - it's time once again for TwinsFest at the Metrodome. 2010 marks the 21st installment of the annual festival celebrating your Minnesota Twins.

This is my second consecutive year going to TwinsFest. I went last year, and thought to myself, "they've done this for 20 years now, why haven't I been here until now?" It's a big enough deal that even this morning's Pioneer Press and Star Tribune newspapers had cover stories on their sports pages about the event.

I decided to do things a little differently this year: I got my tickets in advance, instead of waiting out in the cold at the ticket office to buy them at the Dome. It saves four dollars; advance tickets are $8, "at the door" tickets are $12.

I left for the Dome immediately after work on Friday January 29th, with the gates opening at 4pm, it gave me an hour to get downtown and to the Dome. The lines getting into the stadium (only 2 gates were used for entry, Gate F and Gate H) were incredibly long. And, between folks standing at the ticket offices getting tickets, and those in line waiting to get in - it got a bit confusing.

I got to the Dome at about 3:40 pm and I didn't actually get inside the stadium until 4:15. The line seemed to move quickly at 4, when the gates opened, but then lulled as we got closer to the gate. Years ago, ticket takers at the gate, would tear a small portion off the ticket. Sporting events, concerts, operas - you name it - use electronic ticket bar code scanners these days. Apparently, one of the electronic scanners wasn't working correctly, and slowed everything up.

What really surprises me, is shortly after the Twins departed the Dome, the stadium officials took the turnstiles out of the stadium. You'd think, without the turnstiles, the lines might move faster getting inside. Not so much. I think it took longer for me to walk the 20 feet to the gate, than it did for me to follow the line around the stadium waiting to get in.

Once inside, many things have changed. The Vikings have painted purple all over the concourses. You wouldn't even know a baseball team played there; although the baseball configuration is used for TwinsFest.

Familiar exhibits filled the field including "Down Memory Lane" which this year was a collection of items from the Twins' three ballparks: Met Stadium, the Metrodome and their new ballpark, Target Field. It was a good collection of memorabilia, especially from the days of the Met. The Twins also cancelled some TwinsFest staples this year, namely dugout, clubhouse and press box tours.

Most of my time was spent at the Target Field display. I grabbed all the ticket information, seat charts, pocket schedules and other assorted paraphernalia I could get my hands on. It is hard to believe in just three short months, the Twins will be playing outdoors.

I played a few of the "spin the wheel" games. I put $5 down at one, and ended up winning an autographed Bob Feller bobblehead doll; a bobblehead that sells for $40 at the Bob Feller Museum in Iowa.

I was a bit disappointed to see the lack of Target Field merchandise at this year's TwinsFest. I asked one of the folks in the Twins Pro Shop section if they had any Target Field t-shirts or anything; no such luck. I was tempted however to buy one of the new home jerseys, unveiled a couple months ago, the one that pays homage to the jerseys worn in the early 1960s.

The Metrodome seems to work well for TwinsFest. The Twins have looked into hosting it at a convention center or hotel, according to the Pioneer Press article, but because the event is so large (TwinsFest boasts the largest sports card and memorabilia show in the Upper Midwest), and the Metrodome's capacity to hold large groups of people, the Dome seems to win out.

And, truth be told, for obvious reasons, Target Field would seem out of the picture as well.

Patrick Klinger, director of marketing for the Twins praised the Dome in this morning's Pioneer Press article saying that, "[the Dome is] really a perfect venue for TwinsFest." Yes, it was great to be back in the old place again; but also to look forward to what lies ahead at Target Field.

As a final note, one of the sports card displays set up on the field (if you haven't been to TwinsFest, you would be surprised how many tables and exhibits are set up on the field) had unused tickets from previous Twins seasons at the Met and at the Dome. I looked for those two tickets I lost on my way out of the final game at the Dome last October - no luck.

Saint Paul wants a ballpark now

We have tried this before, haven't we?

I seem to remember a pitch (forgive the pun) the Twins made a few years ago to build a ballpark in downtown Saint Paul - right across the street from the Xcel Energy Center if memory serves correctly. It didn't go over very well.

According to this morning's Pioneer Press, the Saint Paul Saints will be asking for a mere $25 million in state money to aid the construction of a new ballpark in the Lowertown area of Saint Paul. It seems to be a pretty neat location, as the new Lafayette Bridge will seemingly be visible just beyond the center field wall.

Reasons for needing a new ballpark for the Saints are numerous. Their current home, Midway Stadium is in "bad shape" according to the article - everything from a not-so-well operated concession stand to portable toilets outside the stadium are reasons for the Saints asking for state help.

I've been to a Saints game once. Best seats I've ever had for a baseball game, or any sporting event for that matter. A friend gave me tickets and he was one of the first to buy season tickets all the way back in 1993 when the Saints first started. He gave me four seats, front row, right behind home plate.

I can't say, even all those years ago, that Midway Stadium was impressive. It is a minor-league ballpark, after all. I do remember the long concession lines. Mike Veeck, owner of the Saints said in the article that the main problem at Midway is the concession service. "People get in line, and aren't seen for 3 1/2 innings," he said.

Midway has played host to some concerts, and other than Saints games, amateur baseball games. And, for a small concrete slab with bleachers on Energy Park Drive, isn't incredibly impressive, as I mentioned earlier. As for a possible replacement, Veeck said, "[We're] trying to figure out what would make it fun, sexy and first of it's kind...."

Just what on the blue earth makes a ballpark "sexy"? That's a new one to me. Most teams that build new buildings, whatever level of play, whatever sport, usually use words such as "unique," "first-class" and "modern" to describe their new buildings. "Sexy," not so much.

I saw some renderings of what a new ballpark might look like (I tried to find them online, with no luck). Honestly, they didn't get me excited. It looked a little strange for a ballpark. On the other hand, the Saints and strange antics seem to go hand-in-hand. But, nonetheless, the renderings I saw didn't say to me, "unique" or "first-class" or..."sexy;" whatever that means.

Getting to Target Field

While I was going through my emails today, I got a daily email from the Twin Cities Business Journal about a new website the Twins are putting up (the "new" site is embedded within their regular website) informing folks about transportation options to Target Field, come April.

If you are familiar with the location of Target Field, it really is in a very accessible part of downtown. There really is not an absence of routes to get there. The main issue really, is traffic management getting in, and more importantly, out of downtown after a game. Through this new website (http://www.destinationtargetfield.com), the Twins are laying out your options in black and white.

According to the article from the Business Journal(http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/01/11/daily49.html), Target Field will be the most "transit-friendly" ballpark in Major League Baseball. I-94 accesses the park from the east and west, as does I-394. State Highway 55 runs near the park. Then you have light rail coming from the south, and a commuter rail line coming from the north.

The big issue though, is how to get out after games. And this doesn't apply to just the 40,000 ticket holders, but perhaps commuters that might get snarled up in post-game traffic during those occasional weekday 12:10 starts. This new website is really a good move by the Twins. I am still trying to sort out how I should leave downtown after a game. I have not-so-nice visions of bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get back on to I-94 westbound.

The Twins do suggest coming early and also staying later. They also suggest using the same mode of parking that you do now for games at the Metrodome.

That's also been a big issue for me, where should I park? I certainly would not suggest parking in the ABC Ramps right there between Target Field and Target Center. You'd have to think many of the available spaces would be reserved for season ticket holders, and whatever is left would be at a premium parking rate.

Personally, I think I'll take the Twins' advice and come early. I'm planning on attending mostly day games in the new ballpark. The lot I usually park in is probably the same distance from Target Field as it is from the Metrodome, just a different direction. I am concerned though about whether or not the lot will raise its rates. And I just hop the light rail to get the rest of the way (especially on those rainy and/or cold days). Oh, I'll just admit it, I love riding that train.

The Twins are pushing for fans to use MetroTransit once Target Field opens. Many bus routes go right by the ballpark. The Hiawatha Light Rail comes in there, as does the Northstar Commuter line. Eventually the Central Corridor light rail from Saint Paul will end at Target Field as will a proposed light rail line that will predominantly use County Road 81 that goes through Crystal, Robbinsdale, etc.

I might end up doing that myself, the bus I would take from my home in North Minneapolis to downtown, stops right in front of the ballpark. And, for a base-fare of $1.75, I can't beat that. I'll just have to try several different options out and see which works the best.