Twins Ballpark Tour

I received an e-mail this morning from Shane of The Greet Machine asking me if I'd be interested in taking a tour of the new Twins ballpark with Ballpark Authority Executive Director Dan Kenney. Interested!?! I had to breath into a bag for awhile before responding.

Now, I have dragged my family down to the Target Field site countless times, but we've only been able to view the ballpark from the outside. And since the playing field will be below ground level, it's been tough to get a real good view from the outside. This would be my first time "on the inside."

So late this afternoon, I met Shane, Freealonzo, Cheesehead Craig, Shane's friend Ryan and Rick from Ballpark Magic at the Target Field construction site and we were greeted by Executive Director Dan Kenney (a very nice guy, by the way). Once we donned construction helmets and protective eye wear, we were off on our tour.

Pictures were not allowed on this tour, so I cannot share any with you. If you want to see pictures, check out Rick's site, Ballpark Magic. This was a fantastic experience, however, and I learned a lot about Target Field. Here are the things that had the greatest impact on me:

1. Target Field will be a ballpark, not a stadium. One of the first stops on the tour was to step out near home plate in the first row of seating. This view reveals how compact the ballpark is, and how close the 40,000 seats will be to the action. The "worst seat" in the house will still be a great seat. The farthest seat in the outfield is about as far from home plate as the nearest outfield seats in the Metrodome. It also revealed to me, for the first time, the great view of downtown Minneapolis from the home plate/third base area. He also showed us the area in center field in which plans have called for a fow of pine trees. Kenney has his doubts, however, that baseball will allow a row of trees "swaying in the wind" in a batter's view.

2. The construction of the multi-level restaurant facility in left field reminds me of Petco Park in San Diego. In fact, I asked Kenney what existing ballparks were most similar to Target Field, and he answered that "Pittsburgh, San Diego and San Francisco were closest in design." There will be various pubs and eating facilities in the left field building, with bleacher seating on top and possibly even fire pits. That will be very cool.

3. The concourses remind me of the Xcel Energy Center - very wide, with views of the game from all vantage points. You will be able to see the action while waiting in line for a beer. Bathroom are plentiful, unlike a certain domed stadium nearby. There will be two atriums (that we saw - possibly more), devoted to Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett. Each were surrounded by glass with great views of Minneapolis (The Basilica, etc., and unfortunately a view of the garbage burner). This reminded me, once again, of the Xcel Energy Center and it's views of the Capitol and the Cathedral. It looks like Twins history will be honored throughout this ballpark.

4. Another area that we toured will be called "The Metropolitan Club." This will be a party area open to all season ticket holders, and is an ode to Met Stadium in Bloomington. They are even going to incorporate the garish 1960's multi-colored facade of The Met. I love those garish 1960's colors. There will be other club areas to go with The Metropolitan Club, such as The "573 Club," named after the number of home runs clubbed by Harmon Killebrew.

5. This ballpark will certainly be transit-oriented. There will be stops alongside the ballpark for the Hiawatha light rail line, and the future Central Corridor line from St. Paul, and heavy rail from Big Lake passes right under the ballpark. In addition, the Cedar Lake bike trail leads right to Target field for those fans who want to ride their bike to the game.

6. Other interesting sites that we toured were Target Plaza, a public greeting place for fans to gather before and after each game, and the suite level. I did not hear if THE CHECK will have a suite, but there some nice spaces available, ranging from fairly small to the immense Cambria suite.

All in all, this hour-long tour got me even more excited for outdoor baseball - if that is possible. I believe that Minnesota will finally have a Major League Baseball facility to be proud of. I'd also like to thank Shane for the invitation to the tour! As Dan Kenney said today before Shane showed up, if it wasn't for The Greet Machine blog, this ballpark might not exist. Kenney confirmed that The Greet Machine was widely read by many members of the Legislature back in 2006, and helped sway many opinions toward a "yes vote." Nice job Shane, and thanks again!

Jeff