If Smith stays here he’s almost a lock to see successful fundraising result in a new practice facility.  Dutcher said the age of Williams Arena is a recruiting detriment and a new practice facility will help ease that burden.

Again, will Smith stay?  Who knows for sure and what’s to be believed?  Dutcher and others found it a bit curious that before last week’s NCAA tournament Smith publicly praised assistant coach Vince Taylor as a man ready to run his own program.  Some could view that sales job as evidence Smith was on his way out of Minneapolis and wanted Taylor to replace him.

Dutcher is willing to believe Smith had no motives beyond showcasing his assistant for other schools.  “I will take him at his word that he thinks here’s a guy that deserves a chance and he wants people to know that he’s got an assistant that has earned the right to have his own team,” Dutcher said.

With the team only expected to lose seniors Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick, the Gophers could have another NCAA team next season.  Those prospects are enhanced if point guard Al Nolen regains his eligibility and power forward Trevor Mbakwe has his team suspension lifted following resolution of a legal issue in Florida.

One matter Dutcher said that clearly needs to be resolved is the status of power forward Royce White who received mega publicity during the basketball season but never played because of off the court problems.  Although he’s not in school, there remains this speculative cloud about White and the Gophers that he might rejoin the program.  Dutcher said the White saga has been a distraction.

By next season the Gophers need fewer off court distractions and that hopefully will include rumors about losing their coach.

The Twins have already sold-out more than a dozen of their 81 home dates and set a franchise record with over 22,000 season tickets, but don’t count on Target Field being expanded beyond its present capacity of 39,504, according to a Twins executive.

“I really doubt it,” Patrick Klinger told Sports Headliners on Wednesday.  “We were built on such a small foot print, 8½ acres.”

The new ballpark is surrounded by neighboring facilities and infrastructure.  “We needed a crowbar, axel grease and a good shove in the back to get it (the stadium) in,” the Twins vice president of marketing said.

Target Field’s capacity is among the smallest in the American League but fewer seats meant less construction cost.  The capacity creates incentive for ticket buyers to purchase seats ahead of time to ensure they see games of their choosing.

The Twins expect to draw more than 3 million fans to the new ballpark.  Klinger said the limited capacity will not be a financial problem for the franchise in the years ahead if demand for seats remains high and ticket pricing is adjusted to keep pace with other costs.

Except for 100 places in the left field area (Budweiser Roof Deck), no plans are in place yet for standing room tickets.  Klinger said initially the club wants to test stadium operations but may sell standing room tickets in parts of the facility later in the season.

The Twins open their regular season schedule at Target Field on Monday, April 12.  The last two Twins opening days had wintry weather in Minneapolis but it wasn’t a problem because of the Metrodome.  Klinger said if games are postponed because of weather in the series opener against Boston those games can be made up on open dates.  The three-game series against the Red Sox, April 12, 14 and 15 is sold out.

The concourses have radiant heating to help fans warm themselves.  There are protected areas throughout the stadium to minimize wind, cold and sun.

Klinger said the most frequently asked question he receives from fans involves directions, transportation and parking for Target Field.  That information can be accessed at https://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=min.

Klinger also said Governor Tim Pawlenty and the governors from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin have been invited to the opening game on April 12.

First baseman Justin Morneau, who was injured and didn’t play during the Twins’ post-season drive in 2009, is off to an okay start in spring training hitting .263 with one home run and six RBI in 19 at-bats.

Joe Mauer’s grandfather, Jake, had successful lung cancer surgery earlier this month and is at his Florida home recuperating.  That update comes from Jake’s friend, Ralph Jon Fritz, the former WCCO TV sportscaster who lives near Jake in southwest Florida.

Gregg Wong, the former golf writer for the Pioneer Press, agrees that Tiger Woods comeback choice of the Masters is ideal.  Spectators and media are tightly controlled by tournament officials.  “It’s the most church-like atmosphere of any professional tournament,” Wong said.  “If he were coming back for the U.S. Open at Bethpage in New York he could get eaten alive.”

Wong said if there is an incident at the Masters it will be more interesting to see the reaction of caddie Stevie Williams than Woods.  Williams is known for protecting Woods.  “Tiger might glare but his caddie Stevie Williams has been the heavy,” Wong said.

Wong notes with amusement that the Masters is a fitting comeback site for Woods because Augusta National Golf Club doesn’t have female members.  If that’s bad news for the world’s most famous golfer, the good news is that a Hooters is nearby.