In a response to civic pride, a sportswriter thrust out his chest on Saturday as he approached the entrance to the Twins’ new palace in downtown Minneapolis. Target Field is a winner that will have Minnesotans feeling good about their ballpark and themselves for years to come.
The new stadium debuted with a college ball game on Saturday when Louisiana Tech and the Gophers abandoned the Metrodome for one day in their Friday, Saturday and Sunday weekend series. An “open house” crowd of over 37,000 meandered in and out to see the stadium and watch outdoor baseball in the place the Twins will play two exhibition games this Friday and Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The game was a sideshow to the $545 million facility. Yes, many fans watched baseball being played on real grass and under gray skies during a day when temps rose to 50 degrees, but they mostly came to gawk at the state-of-the-art 39,504 seat ballpark and enjoy its amenities.
This was a test run for fans and the Twins who deliberately limited attendance so as not to overwhelm the operation. Before, during and after the game fans came to see the new stadium, and most no doubt said the playground at 1 Twins Way in the historic Warehouse District exceeded their expectations.
The sportswriter with the puffed out chest had avoided traffic by entering downtown from 35W where traffic flowed as on a normal Saturday. He parked on the street, more than eight blocks from Target Field, but the price was right and the traffic escape route flawless.
Approaching the stadium near Gate 29 is an opportunity to both appreciate the ballpark’s exterior beauty (Minnesota limestone) and reflect for a moment on local baseball history. The Minnesota Ballpark History Monument along the 7th Street side of Target Plaza pays tribute to old baseball stadiums here including Athletic Park, located where Butler Square is today and was home to the Minneapolis Millers in the late 1890’s.
The sightlines at Target Field will remind fans somewhat of Met Stadium, home to the Millers from 1956 to 1960 and the Twins from 1961 to 1981. The new ballpark is intimate and built for baseball like the Met but with many more prime viewing seats. Target Field’s lower bowl ranks with baseball’s best stadiums for proximity to the field.
The ballpark offers amenities that will have fans trying to decide whether to spend time in enclosed areas or outside viewing the game from their seats. Food and drink options are everywhere you turn. With a nod to Minnesota traditions like Lunds & Byerly’s Wildrice Soup, J.D. Hoyt’s Pork Chop on-a-Stick and Murray’s Steak Sandwiches, no one will go home hungry although wallets will be lighter. Even a tuna sandwich is $9, while draft beer costs $7 and bottled water $4.
The seats are wide enough to fit most of us even those who have supersized a few too many meals. The seats are comfortable, too, and combined with fresh air, a visitor on Saturday rediscovered the relaxation and charm of watching baseball outside.
When not eating, drinking or watching baseball, fans can stop in the team’s merchandise shops. There they may buy items like custom fit Twins caps for $35 or Twins shirts for $26.
The concourses are wide and aesthetically designed and decorated it almost feels like you’re in a department store instead of a ballpark. Among the decor touches are images and text of Twins heroes like Harmon Killebrew. Imaginative stadium features are everywhere including the fire pit to warm fans (located on the Budweiser Roof Deck) and the wood floor (Town Ball Tavern) that the Minneapolis Lakers once played on at the Minneapolis Armory. The press box is named after legendary broadcaster Herb Carneal.