Target Field
Encyclopedia
Target Field is a baseball park
located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota
. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins
, the city's Major League Baseball
(MLB) franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball season
after 28 seasons at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
. It is the first facility built specifically for the Twins since the team moved to the Twin Cities; Metropolitan Stadium
was built for the Minneapolis Millers
five years before the Twins came to Minnesota and the Metrodome was built as a multipurpose stadium for the Twins, Minnesota Vikings
and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
. The 2010 season was the first since 1936 in which the franchise (then known as the Washington Senators) did not share their home stadium with an NFL team. The Twins received the certificate of occupancy from Mortenson Construction on December 22, 2009. Twins staff moved in on January 4, 2010.
The first baseball game at the ballpark took place on March 27, 2010, with a college baseball
game between the University of Minnesota
and Louisiana Tech
. The Twins played two preseason games against the St. Louis Cardinals
on April 2 and 3, and their inaugural regular season game was played on April 12, against the Boston Red Sox
.
In 2010, ESPN The Magazine
ranked Target Field as the #1 stadium experience in North America, beating out 121 others.
. Designed by Populous with Bruce Miller as principal lead, Target Field is a modern take on other Populous-designed stadiums such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards
in Baltimore, PNC Park
in Pittsburgh, and AT&T Park
in San Francisco. The Twins opted for a "neutral" park which was intended to favor neither hitters nor pitchers; however, following the 2010 regular season, statistics showed that the park definitely played more to the favor of pitchers than hitters. In contrast, the Twins' previous homes in the Twin Cities, Metropolitan Stadium
and the Metrodome, were friendly to hitters. Unlike the Metrodome, Target Field is an open-air stadium.
Estimates put the stadium cost at $
390 million, while infrastructure and financing costs bring the total to $522 million. Work on the site began on May 21, 2007, with the official groundbreaking for the stadium taking place August 30, 2007, delayed from the original date of August 2 due to the I-35W bridge a collapse. The first concrete slab was poured on December 17, 2007. The Twins are hoping to host the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
.
The first tour was an open house held on March 20 for season ticket holders. Public tours are available on off-days during the season.
The first baseball game played there was on March 27, 2010 between the Minnesota Gophers and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. On that day, 37,757 fans went through the turnstiles from 9:15 a.m. until the conclusion of the game, marking the second-largest attendance for a collegiate baseball game. The largest came on March 11, 2004, when 40,106 fans saw San Diego State and Houston
play at Petco Park
in San Diego.
The Minnesota Twins set a single game attendance record at Target Field (41,378) on July 2, 2011, playing the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 3, 2011, the Twins set a three-game series attendance record (123,385) at Target Field against the Brewers.
Plans for moving the Twins out of the Metrodome began to take serious shape in the mid-1990s. By 1995, the Twins had found a new site just north of the Metrodome, on a large piece of land next to the Mississippi River
. Located in the old Mills District
, the stadium would have sat next to the current Guthrie Theater
; the cleared land for the stadium eventually became Gold Medal Park
, a public park, in 2007. During the 1995 Minnesota legislative session, the proposed Mississippi River-sited stadium would have cost $300 million less than the proposed ballpark which eventually passed the legislature eleven years later.
The Twins underwent turbulent times in the late-1990s and into the new century: in , owner Carl Pohlad
almost sold the Twins to North Carolina
businessman Don Beaver, who would have moved the team to the Piedmont Triad
(Greensboro
– Winston-Salem
– High Point
) area. The defeat of a referendum
for a stadium in North Carolina and a lack of interest in building a stadium for the Twins in Charlotte
killed the deal.
Saint Paul
, under the leadership of Mayor Norm Coleman
, made several attempts to woo the Twins across the Mississippi River
. The closest any of these attempts came to success was in 1999, when Saint Paul voters rejected a referendum which would have raised the city sales tax by 0.5 percentage point in order to fund a stadium in downtown Saint Paul.
In 2001, the Twins, along with the Montreal Expos
(who eventually became the Washington Nationals
), were identified as a target for MLB
"contraction" (elimination) by Commissioner Bud Selig
after a vote by MLB owners. The contraction plans were shelved after the Minnesota Supreme Court
upheld a lower court ruling requiring the Twins to play baseball in the Metrodome in 2002; however the pressure did spur the Minnesota House to vote in favor of some stadium legislation as well as garner support from then-Governor Jesse Ventura
.
did not act on the bill during the 2005 session.
On April 26, , the Twins and Hennepin County
announced that a deal had been reached, in which the Twins would pay roughly 1/3 of the stadium's cost ($125 million), with the rest being paid for by a 0.15% Hennepin County sales tax. The deal would need to be approved by the Hennepin County Board. After delaying the vote one week, on May 3 the Board voted 4–3 in favor of the stadium deal. Minneapolis mayor R. T. Rybak
(DFL
) had already weighed in favor of the stadium. The plan passed its second hurdle on May 9, 2005, when a House committee of the Minnesota Legislature approved a bill to get around the referendum to be sent to the floor on a 17–5 vote. This legislation languished before the full legislature, during a particularly gridlocked session, and was placed on the back burner, pending resolution of "more pressing" legislation. Naming rights
belong to the Minnesota Twins.
In the 2006 session, the Minnesota House of Representatives
passed the bill that would allow the team and county to go around the referendum. The Minnesota Senate
also passed a version of the bill, but their version would also build a stadium for the Minnesota Vikings
and fund transit projects. The two bills spent most of the legislative session in conference committee. The bill was passed by a 71–61 vote in the House and a 34–32 vote in the Senate. A ballot
referendum
, called for by many Hennepin County residents, was deemed infeasible due to the time-critical nature of the bill (a referendum would have to wait until the November general election, while dates for the Twins to play in the Metrodome in 2007 needed to be applied for by July 1). Under the legislation, $392 million in public subsidy is provided through the Hennepin County sales tax increase for the $522 million project. The ballpark opened for the 2010 baseball season, the Twins' 50th season in Minnesota. The final bill was approved on May 21, and was signed into law by Governor
Tim Pawlenty
, as part of a pre-game ceremony before the Twins' May 26 home game against the Seattle Mariners
. The final version is substantially identical to the House version, with language relating to both the transit tax and the Vikings stadium stripped.
The County Board approved the ballpark plan 5–2 on June 20, 2006. Commissioners Johnson, Opat, Stenglein, McLaughlin and Dorfman voted to approve the sales tax levy and ballpark funding proposal. Commissioner Gail Dorfman, who opposed the sales tax for ballpark proposal initially as "a bad deal for the taxpayer", switched her voting position, stating that the park was "a done deal and the focus now is on implementing it in the most responsible way possible." Commissioners Penny Steele and Linda Koblick remained opposed to publicly funding a ballpark using a Hennepin County sales tax without a referendum as required by state statute, and to the terms of the funding agreement as "not being in the best interest of the county taxpayers and citizens."
In mid-February 2007, funding and acquisition ran into a snag because the land purchase price had been negotiated with the owners (Land Partners II) but not properly secured when the State bill was passed. On April 4, 2007, Dave St. Peter, Twins president and the head of the team's ballpark committee, announced that an agreement had been reached that would have the Twins paying a portion of the difference between Land Partners II's asking price and the county's budget for the land. As a result, after a four-month impasse, the Hennepin County board voted on April 10, 2007 to use eminent domain to acquire the land with the Twins helping to cover acquisition costs beyond the county's previous $13.5 million offer. Before construction could begin, the Twins also reached a related agreement with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which owns property adjacent to the site. With the issue over land moving forward, the Twins presented the official design of the new stadium on April 12; it had been delayed due to the land dispute.
On May 1, 2007, Hennepin County officially took control of the land after placing $13.75 million into a court escrow account; although the court would still need to officially determine the price of the land in the condemnation process, the Twins agreed to pay any costs beyond the amount deposited. The action assured that the construction of the stadium would begin on June 1, 2007. In late August, a three-member condemnation panel ruled that the parcel was worth $23.8 million; developers had claimed that the fair market value was $65 million. On October 15, 2007, the two sides reached a negotiated settlement of just under $29 million, ending the dispute; as a result the County noted it would have to cut back on some improvements to the surrounding streetscapes, though it also revealed that the Pohlad family had committed another $15 million for infrastructure.
On September 15, 2008, the Twins and Minneapolis-based Target Corporation
announced that the Twins' new ballpark would be named Target Field. Financial terms of the naming rights
agreement were not disclosed. The company's investment will also build a pedestrian bridge from the ballpark to downtown, Target Plaza, more seating, new canopies and public art.
or modern urban design of the new Nationals Park (both also designed by Populous). Instead, the design for the new Twins stadium employs local limestone, heated viewing areas and a heated field. The stadium does not have a roof, but there is a canopy above the top deck. The stadium is integrated with the intermodal Target Field station which connects the Hiawatha
light rail
line with the Minneapolis terminus of the Northstar commuter rail line leading from the northwest. Walter P Moore served as the structural engineer for the stadium and canopy.
The approved design does not include a retractable roof
, though it was considered initially. A retractable roof was cited to add $100 million to the total budget and none of the parties (Twins, Hennepin County or Minnesota Legislature
) were willing to pay for that cost. Much like other northern cities with outdoor professional baseball (i.e. Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, New York), the weather in Minneapolis during a 162-game baseball season and playoffs can vary from early-spring snow to rain and hot, humid weather. The Metrodome is climate-controlled, and thus, protected the baseball schedule during the entire time that it had been the venue for the Minnesota Twins. However, many Twins fans and baseball purists argue that this same sterile, climate-controlled environment creates a less-than-desirable atmosphere for watching baseball. The architect also tested the feasibility of heated seats.
The site is about the same size as that of Fenway Park
, and the ballpark holds roughly the same number of seats. The site is bounded by 3rd Avenue (southeast, right field, across from Target Center); 5th Street North (northeast, left field); 7th Street North (southwest, first base); Hennepin Environmental Recovery Center [garbage incinerator] and 6th Avenue North (northwest, third base). 3rd Avenue is a westbound one-way street which dips down under the right field seats and serves as a ramp to I-394 westbound. A separate, small westbound segment of 3rd Avenue, connecting 7th Street North with Glenwood Avenue, was renamed "Twins Way". The ballpark's street address, "1 Twins Way", is at the "foot" of the renamed street.
, which include two major transit bus terminals and link to the rest of downtown Minneapolis via skyway
. Using the Metro Transit
light rail system, over 8,000 people typically arrive every game via the Blue Line
which terminates at Target Field Station, just 10 yards from the park's Gate 6. Construction of the Green Line
that will connect Target Field to downtown St. Paul began in November 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2014. For fans arriving from the northwest suburbs, the Northstar Line commuter rail terminates in downtown Minneapolis with a station underneath the ballpark.
Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, only the second LEED-certified professional sports stadium in the United States, after Nationals Park.
, and Nordic Construction/Cemstone.
(the largest in baseball), protecting fans further from the elements despite the stadium not having a roof. The Twins also upgraded the scoreboard - the fourth-largest in Major League Baseball - from standard definition to a high definition display from Daktronics
measuring 101 feet (30.8 m) long and 57 feet (17.4 m) high. Other upgrades included warming shelters, changing 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) of the exterior surface to "Mankato Limestone," and increasing the number of restrooms and concessions areas. The park features a modernized version of the original "Minnie and Paul Shaking Hands" logo used on the team's original uniforms from 1961 until 1986 (the logo has also been on the home uniforms since 2001). When a Twins player hits a home run, the Minnie and Paul sign lights up with strobe lights surrounding the Minnesota state outline and Minnie and Paul shake hands, akin to the Liberty Bell used at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia. The original flagpole from Metropolitan Stadium
- completely restored - is located on the right field plaza. The flagpole was located at the American Legion
post in Richfield
after the Metropolitan Stadium's closing, and was donated back to the Twins by the Legion as a gesture of goodwill.
On November 10, 2010, the Twins announced a number of upgrades to Target Field, all of which were completed in time for the 2011 season. Highlights among the upgrades include a scoreboard in right-center field and the "Twins Tower" (a 100 feet (30.5 m) tall illuminated tower), next to the new scoreboard. Other changes include free wireless service for fans, expanded concession stand menus, and the addition of more radiant heaters and artwork around the ballpark. In total, the changes were expected to cost the Twins $4–6 million.
Additionally, the 14 black spruce trees located in the batter's eye
were removed, following hitters' complaints that the trees interfered with the ability to see pitches as they would sometimes sway in the wind. The batter's eye wall itself was covered in a black material designed to reduce glare.
and St. Paul Saints, shaking hands across the Mississippi River
. During various points in the game, the strobe lights surrounding the logo flash. This sign was a concept designed and illustrated by RipBang Studios but built by others.
|-
| bgcolor="e1e1e1"|Statistic
| bgcolor="e1e1e1"|Date
|-
!Suspended Game
|May 25, 2010 vs. New York Yankees
|-
!Inside The Park Home Run
|August 21, 2011 vs. New York Yankees
by Curtis Granderson
|-
! Twins Grand Slam
|September 27, 2011 vs. Kansas City Royals
by Rene Tosoni
|-
! Rainout
| May 7, 2010 (scheduled vs. Baltimore Orioles
)
|-
! Doubleheader
| May 8, 2010 (Day-Night DH vs. Orioles)
|-
!Walk-Off HR (and hit)
|August 17, 2010 vs. Chicago White Sox
by Jim Thome
|-
! Postseason Game
|October 6, 2010 vs. New York Yankees
|-
! !!Target Field!!
H.H.H.
Metrodome
|-
! Seats
| 39,504*** || 46,564*
|-
! Lower Deck Seats
| 19,000 || 21,621
|-
! Private Suites
| 54 || 115**
|-
! Group Party Suites
| 12 || 1
|-
! Club Level Seats
| 7,000 || not applicable
|-
! Upper Deck Seats
| 13,468 || 28,779
|-
! Disabled Seating
| 820 || 190
|-
! Lower/Club Seats
between 1st and 3rd Base
| about 12,037 || 6,679
|-
! Outfield Seats
| about 6,748 || 18,594
|-
! Seats with Obstructed Views
| < 200 || 1,392
|-
! Main Concourse
| 40 feet (12.2 m),
open to field || 22 feet (6.7 m),
closed to field
|-
! Total Restrooms
| 34 || 16
|}
Field dimensions are roughly comparable, with the left field area being a few feet closer to the plate, and the center field area being bounded by a 45-degree facet instead of a quarter-circle.
The new field has often been referred to as a "pitcher's park" in that it is difficult for batters to hit home runs and the pitcher has an advantage. Twins star Justin Morneau
spoke for many of the players' concerns by calling "right-center to left-center... ridiculous" and that it is "almost impossible for a right-handed hitter to [homer to the] opposite field and very difficult for lefties".
Baseball park
A baseball park, also known as a baseball stadium, ball park, or ballpark is a venue where baseball is played. It consists of the playing field and the surrounding spectator seating...
located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, the city's Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball season
2010 Major League Baseball season
The 2010 Major League Baseball season began Sunday, April 4, when the Boston Red Sox defeated their long-time rivals, the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees at Fenway Park, 9–7; the regular season ended on October 3. The 2010 All-Star Game was played on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim...
after 28 seasons at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
. It is the first facility built specifically for the Twins since the team moved to the Twin Cities; Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
was built for the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
five years before the Twins came to Minnesota and the Metrodome was built as a multipurpose stadium for the Twins, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
. The 2010 season was the first since 1936 in which the franchise (then known as the Washington Senators) did not share their home stadium with an NFL team. The Twins received the certificate of occupancy from Mortenson Construction on December 22, 2009. Twins staff moved in on January 4, 2010.
The first baseball game at the ballpark took place on March 27, 2010, with a college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
game between the University of Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
and Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball team represents Louisiana Tech University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The LA Tech baseball team participates in the Western Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs play their home games on campus at J.C...
. The Twins played two preseason games against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on April 2 and 3, and their inaugural regular season game was played on April 12, against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
In 2010, ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
ranked Target Field as the #1 stadium experience in North America, beating out 121 others.
Summary
The 39,504-seat open-air ballpark is located in the Warehouse District west of Downtown MinneapolisDowntown West, Minneapolis
Downtown West is an official neighborhood in Minneapolis, part of the larger Central community. It is the heart of downtown Minneapolis , containing the bulk of high-rise office buildings in the city, and is what comes to mind when most Minneapolitans think of "downtown"...
. Designed by Populous with Bruce Miller as principal lead, Target Field is a modern take on other Populous-designed stadiums such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
in Baltimore, PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
in Pittsburgh, and AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco. The Twins opted for a "neutral" park which was intended to favor neither hitters nor pitchers; however, following the 2010 regular season, statistics showed that the park definitely played more to the favor of pitchers than hitters. In contrast, the Twins' previous homes in the Twin Cities, Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
and the Metrodome, were friendly to hitters. Unlike the Metrodome, Target Field is an open-air stadium.
Estimates put the stadium cost at $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
390 million, while infrastructure and financing costs bring the total to $522 million. Work on the site began on May 21, 2007, with the official groundbreaking for the stadium taking place August 30, 2007, delayed from the original date of August 2 due to the I-35W bridge a collapse. The first concrete slab was poured on December 17, 2007. The Twins are hoping to host the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
.
The first tour was an open house held on March 20 for season ticket holders. Public tours are available on off-days during the season.
The first baseball game played there was on March 27, 2010 between the Minnesota Gophers and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. On that day, 37,757 fans went through the turnstiles from 9:15 a.m. until the conclusion of the game, marking the second-largest attendance for a collegiate baseball game. The largest came on March 11, 2004, when 40,106 fans saw San Diego State and Houston
Houston Cougars
Houston Cougars is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Houston. Informally, the Houston Cougars have also been referred to as the Coogs, UH, or simply Houston. Houston's nickname was created by early physical education instructor of the university and former head football...
play at Petco Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
in San Diego.
The Minnesota Twins set a single game attendance record at Target Field (41,378) on July 2, 2011, playing the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 3, 2011, the Twins set a three-game series attendance record (123,385) at Target Field against the Brewers.
History
As of November 2008, crews had completed concrete work two months ahead of schedule, wrapping up the concrete portion of construction with a roof deck pour for the Twins administration building, according to the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. In March 2009 Tekna Kleen (commercial cleaning company), started doing the finishing cleaning touches to Target Field. In late August, 2009, the playing field was installed.Planning
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Located in the old Mills District
Mills District, Minneapolis
The Mill District is a neighborhood within Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and a part of the larger Downtown East neighborhood. Its approximate boundaries are the Mississippi River to the north, the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge to the east, Washington Avenue to the south, and 5th Avenue...
, the stadium would have sat next to the current Guthrie Theater
Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater is a center for theater performance, production, education, and professional training in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the result of the desire of Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Oliver Rea, and Peter Zeisler to create a resident acting company that would produce and perform the classics in...
; the cleared land for the stadium eventually became Gold Medal Park
Gold Medal Park
Gold Medal Park is a park next to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Designed by landscape architect Tom Oslund, the park is owned by the city of Minneapolis and opened in May 2007. It takes its inspiration from the Dakota Indians burial mounds that are found through Minnesota...
, a public park, in 2007. During the 1995 Minnesota legislative session, the proposed Mississippi River-sited stadium would have cost $300 million less than the proposed ballpark which eventually passed the legislature eleven years later.
The Twins underwent turbulent times in the late-1990s and into the new century: in , owner Carl Pohlad
Carl Pohlad
Carl R. Pohlad was a successful financier and the owner of the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise from 1984 until his death in 2009.-Early life:...
almost sold the Twins to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
businessman Don Beaver, who would have moved the team to the Piedmont Triad
Piedmont Triad
The Piedmont Triad, or Triad, is a north-central region of the U.S. state of North Carolina that consists of the area within and surrounding the three major cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This close group or "triad" of cities lies in the Piedmont geographical region of the...
(Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
– Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
– High Point
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
) area. The defeat of a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
for a stadium in North Carolina and a lack of interest in building a stadium for the Twins in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
killed the deal.
Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, under the leadership of Mayor Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman
Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr. is an American attorney and politician. He was a United States senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. Coleman was elected in 2002 and served in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses. Before becoming a senator, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002...
, made several attempts to woo the Twins across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The closest any of these attempts came to success was in 1999, when Saint Paul voters rejected a referendum which would have raised the city sales tax by 0.5 percentage point in order to fund a stadium in downtown Saint Paul.
In 2001, the Twins, along with the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(who eventually became the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
), were identified as a target for MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
"contraction" (elimination) by Commissioner Bud Selig
Bud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
after a vote by MLB owners. The contraction plans were shelved after the Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota Supreme Court
The Minnesota Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Minnesota and consists of seven members. The court was first assembled as a three-judge panel in 1849 when Minnesota was still a territory. The first members were lawyers from outside of the region who were appointed by...
upheld a lower court ruling requiring the Twins to play baseball in the Metrodome in 2002; however the pressure did spur the Minnesota House to vote in favor of some stadium legislation as well as garner support from then-Governor Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
.
Legislation and funding
A state law passed in 1997 requires that anytime a county seeks to raise its sales tax, the question needs to be put before the voters. The law also allows a county to seek permission from the state to enact the tax without a voters' referendum. The Minnesota LegislatureMinnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
did not act on the bill during the 2005 session.
On April 26, , the Twins and Hennepin County
Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. As of 2010 the population was 1,152,425. Its county seat is Minneapolis. It is by far the most populous county in Minnesota; more than one in five Minnesotans live...
announced that a deal had been reached, in which the Twins would pay roughly 1/3 of the stadium's cost ($125 million), with the rest being paid for by a 0.15% Hennepin County sales tax. The deal would need to be approved by the Hennepin County Board. After delaying the vote one week, on May 3 the Board voted 4–3 in favor of the stadium deal. Minneapolis mayor R. T. Rybak
R. T. Rybak
Raymond Thomas Rybak, Jr. , known as R. T. Rybak, is the 46th and current mayor of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the 2001 election Rybak defeated incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton by a margin of 65% to 35%; the widest margin in city history for a challenge to an incumbent...
(DFL
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) had already weighed in favor of the stadium. The plan passed its second hurdle on May 9, 2005, when a House committee of the Minnesota Legislature approved a bill to get around the referendum to be sent to the floor on a 17–5 vote. This legislation languished before the full legislature, during a particularly gridlocked session, and was placed on the back burner, pending resolution of "more pressing" legislation. Naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
belong to the Minnesota Twins.
In the 2006 session, the Minnesota House of Representatives
Minnesota House of Representatives
The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower house in the Minnesota State Legislature. There are 134 members elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate. Each senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B...
passed the bill that would allow the team and county to go around the referendum. The Minnesota Senate
Minnesota Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In terms of membership, it is the largest upper house of any state legislature. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House...
also passed a version of the bill, but their version would also build a stadium for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and fund transit projects. The two bills spent most of the legislative session in conference committee. The bill was passed by a 71–61 vote in the House and a 34–32 vote in the Senate. A ballot
Ballot
A ballot is a device used to record choices made by voters. Each voter uses one ballot, and ballots are not shared. In the simplest elections, a ballot may be a simple scrap of paper on which each voter writes in the name of a candidate, but governmental elections use pre-printed to protect the...
referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
, called for by many Hennepin County residents, was deemed infeasible due to the time-critical nature of the bill (a referendum would have to wait until the November general election, while dates for the Twins to play in the Metrodome in 2007 needed to be applied for by July 1). Under the legislation, $392 million in public subsidy is provided through the Hennepin County sales tax increase for the $522 million project. The ballpark opened for the 2010 baseball season, the Twins' 50th season in Minnesota. The final bill was approved on May 21, and was signed into law by Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Tim Pawlenty
Tim Pawlenty
Timothy James "Tim" Pawlenty , also known affectionately among supporters as T-Paw, is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota . He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election from May to August 2011...
, as part of a pre-game ceremony before the Twins' May 26 home game against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. The final version is substantially identical to the House version, with language relating to both the transit tax and the Vikings stadium stripped.
The County Board approved the ballpark plan 5–2 on June 20, 2006. Commissioners Johnson, Opat, Stenglein, McLaughlin and Dorfman voted to approve the sales tax levy and ballpark funding proposal. Commissioner Gail Dorfman, who opposed the sales tax for ballpark proposal initially as "a bad deal for the taxpayer", switched her voting position, stating that the park was "a done deal and the focus now is on implementing it in the most responsible way possible." Commissioners Penny Steele and Linda Koblick remained opposed to publicly funding a ballpark using a Hennepin County sales tax without a referendum as required by state statute, and to the terms of the funding agreement as "not being in the best interest of the county taxpayers and citizens."
In mid-February 2007, funding and acquisition ran into a snag because the land purchase price had been negotiated with the owners (Land Partners II) but not properly secured when the State bill was passed. On April 4, 2007, Dave St. Peter, Twins president and the head of the team's ballpark committee, announced that an agreement had been reached that would have the Twins paying a portion of the difference between Land Partners II's asking price and the county's budget for the land. As a result, after a four-month impasse, the Hennepin County board voted on April 10, 2007 to use eminent domain to acquire the land with the Twins helping to cover acquisition costs beyond the county's previous $13.5 million offer. Before construction could begin, the Twins also reached a related agreement with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which owns property adjacent to the site. With the issue over land moving forward, the Twins presented the official design of the new stadium on April 12; it had been delayed due to the land dispute.
On May 1, 2007, Hennepin County officially took control of the land after placing $13.75 million into a court escrow account; although the court would still need to officially determine the price of the land in the condemnation process, the Twins agreed to pay any costs beyond the amount deposited. The action assured that the construction of the stadium would begin on June 1, 2007. In late August, a three-member condemnation panel ruled that the parcel was worth $23.8 million; developers had claimed that the fair market value was $65 million. On October 15, 2007, the two sides reached a negotiated settlement of just under $29 million, ending the dispute; as a result the County noted it would have to cut back on some improvements to the surrounding streetscapes, though it also revealed that the Pohlad family had committed another $15 million for infrastructure.
On September 15, 2008, the Twins and Minneapolis-based Target Corporation
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
announced that the Twins' new ballpark would be named Target Field. Financial terms of the naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
agreement were not disclosed. The company's investment will also build a pedestrian bridge from the ballpark to downtown, Target Plaza, more seating, new canopies and public art.
Design
Populous, the lead architectural design firm, tried to avoid creating a replica of the old-style brick Camden YardsOriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
or modern urban design of the new Nationals Park (both also designed by Populous). Instead, the design for the new Twins stadium employs local limestone, heated viewing areas and a heated field. The stadium does not have a roof, but there is a canopy above the top deck. The stadium is integrated with the intermodal Target Field station which connects the Hiawatha
Hiawatha Line
The Hiawatha Line is a light rail corridor in Hennepin County, Minnesota that extends from downtown Minneapolis to the southern suburb of Bloomington. It was formerly known as the Hiawatha Line named after Hiawatha Avenue. Major connections on the line include the Minneapolis-St...
light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line with the Minneapolis terminus of the Northstar commuter rail line leading from the northwest. Walter P Moore served as the structural engineer for the stadium and canopy.
The approved design does not include a retractable roof
Retractable roof
A retractable roof is a kinetic architectural element used in many sports venues, in which a roof made of a suitable material can readily be mechanically deployed from some retracted or open position into a closed or extended position that completely covers the field of play and spectator areas...
, though it was considered initially. A retractable roof was cited to add $100 million to the total budget and none of the parties (Twins, Hennepin County or Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
) were willing to pay for that cost. Much like other northern cities with outdoor professional baseball (i.e. Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, New York), the weather in Minneapolis during a 162-game baseball season and playoffs can vary from early-spring snow to rain and hot, humid weather. The Metrodome is climate-controlled, and thus, protected the baseball schedule during the entire time that it had been the venue for the Minnesota Twins. However, many Twins fans and baseball purists argue that this same sterile, climate-controlled environment creates a less-than-desirable atmosphere for watching baseball. The architect also tested the feasibility of heated seats.
The site is about the same size as that of Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, and the ballpark holds roughly the same number of seats. The site is bounded by 3rd Avenue (southeast, right field, across from Target Center); 5th Street North (northeast, left field); 7th Street North (southwest, first base); Hennepin Environmental Recovery Center [garbage incinerator] and 6th Avenue North (northwest, third base). 3rd Avenue is a westbound one-way street which dips down under the right field seats and serves as a ramp to I-394 westbound. A separate, small westbound segment of 3rd Avenue, connecting 7th Street North with Glenwood Avenue, was renamed "Twins Way". The ballpark's street address, "1 Twins Way", is at the "foot" of the renamed street.
Metro and Commuter Rail Connections
The stadium is well-connected to the city's transit network, being immediately adjacent to the "A" and "B" parking ramps of the large ABC Ramps complex at the end of Interstate 394Interstate 394
Interstate 394 is an east–west Interstate Highway spur route in Hennepin County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It runs for 9.8 miles from its eastern terminus in downtown Minneapolis to its western terminus at its junction with Interstate 494 in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka...
, which include two major transit bus terminals and link to the rest of downtown Minneapolis via skyway
Skyway
In an urban setting, a skyway, catwalk, sky bridge, or skywalk is a type of pedway consisting of an enclosed or covered bridge between two buildings. This protects pedestrians from the weather. These skyways are usually owned by businesses, and are therefore not public spaces...
. Using the Metro Transit
Metro Transit (Minnesota)
Metro Transit is the transit division of the Metropolitan Council, a regional governmental agency in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Metro Transit is the largest operator of bus services in the seven-county region surrounding Minneapolis and St...
light rail system, over 8,000 people typically arrive every game via the Blue Line
Hiawatha Line
The Hiawatha Line is a light rail corridor in Hennepin County, Minnesota that extends from downtown Minneapolis to the southern suburb of Bloomington. It was formerly known as the Hiawatha Line named after Hiawatha Avenue. Major connections on the line include the Minneapolis-St...
which terminates at Target Field Station, just 10 yards from the park's Gate 6. Construction of the Green Line
Central Corridor (Minnesota)
The Central Corridor is a light rail line under construction that is to cover the stretch between the downtown regions of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota...
that will connect Target Field to downtown St. Paul began in November 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2014. For fans arriving from the northwest suburbs, the Northstar Line commuter rail terminates in downtown Minneapolis with a station underneath the ballpark.
LEED Certification
Target Field was awarded LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, only the second LEED-certified professional sports stadium in the United States, after Nationals Park.
Construction
Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis built the stadium. Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors completed the mechanical contracting. Subcontractors involved in the concrete work include CECO Concrete Construction, Gephart Electric, E&J Rebar, Ambassador Steel Corporation, Amsysco Inc.Amsysco Inc.
AMSYSCO, Inc. is a Post-Tensioning supplier based in Romeoville, Illinois. AMSYSCO, Inc. has an unbonded plant that it is certified under the Post-Tensioning Institute 'Plant Certification' program.-Business Segments:*1. Arts & Sports Stadiums...
, and Nordic Construction/Cemstone.
Upgrades
On February 12, 2008, the Twins announced $22.4 million in upgrades to the original design, increased the Twins ownership stake in the new ballpark to $167.4 million, bringing the total ballpark cost to $412 million. The upgrades were mainly based around increasing fan experience and comfort. The upgrades included an enlarged canopy soffitSoffit
Soffit , in architecture, describes the underside of any construction element...
(the largest in baseball), protecting fans further from the elements despite the stadium not having a roof. The Twins also upgraded the scoreboard - the fourth-largest in Major League Baseball - from standard definition to a high definition display from Daktronics
Daktronics
Daktronics is an American company based in Brookings, South Dakota that designs, manufactures, sells, and services video board, scoreboards, digital billboards and related products. The company is best known for its electronic LED displays...
measuring 101 feet (30.8 m) long and 57 feet (17.4 m) high. Other upgrades included warming shelters, changing 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) of the exterior surface to "Mankato Limestone," and increasing the number of restrooms and concessions areas. The park features a modernized version of the original "Minnie and Paul Shaking Hands" logo used on the team's original uniforms from 1961 until 1986 (the logo has also been on the home uniforms since 2001). When a Twins player hits a home run, the Minnie and Paul sign lights up with strobe lights surrounding the Minnesota state outline and Minnie and Paul shake hands, akin to the Liberty Bell used at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia. The original flagpole from Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
- completely restored - is located on the right field plaza. The flagpole was located at the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
post in Richfield
Richfield, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,439 people, 15,073 households, and 8,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,993.9 people per square mile . There were 15,357 housing units at an average density of 2,226.9 per square mile...
after the Metropolitan Stadium's closing, and was donated back to the Twins by the Legion as a gesture of goodwill.
On November 10, 2010, the Twins announced a number of upgrades to Target Field, all of which were completed in time for the 2011 season. Highlights among the upgrades include a scoreboard in right-center field and the "Twins Tower" (a 100 feet (30.5 m) tall illuminated tower), next to the new scoreboard. Other changes include free wireless service for fans, expanded concession stand menus, and the addition of more radiant heaters and artwork around the ballpark. In total, the changes were expected to cost the Twins $4–6 million.
Additionally, the 14 black spruce trees located in the batter's eye
Batter's eye
The batter's eye or batter's eye screen is a solid-colored, usually dark area beyond the center field wall of a baseball stadium, that is the visual backdrop directly in the line of sight of a baseball batter, while facing the pitcher and awaiting a pitch. This dark surface allows the batter to see...
were removed, following hitters' complaints that the trees interfered with the ability to see pitches as they would sometimes sway in the wind. The batter's eye wall itself was covered in a black material designed to reduce glare.
The Stadium
- The popular left-field BudweiserBudweiser (Anheuser-Busch)Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
roof deck features mostly standing room and the only bonfire in the majors. - The bullpens are "double-decker" style in left-center field. The Twins' pen is farthest from the field, with the opposing team's pen below it, closest to the field.
- The batter's eye featured fourteen young black spruce trees (each about six feet high) the first year. After criticism from Twins and opposing players concerning the shadows that they cast, the trees were removed prior to the second year. Some were auctioned to fans and ticket holders while the rest were donated to Minnesota state parks.
- The limestoneKasota limestoneKasota limestone or simply, 'Kasota stone,' is a dolomitic limestone found in southern Minnesota. This sedimentary rock is part of the Oneota Dolostone Formation of southern Minnesota and is approximately 450 million years old...
used in much of the stadium is from KasotaKasota, MinnesotaKasota is a city in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 675 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, near Mankato. - The admission gates are numbered according to former Twins legends and roughly located near to the positions that they played;
- Left field gate is #6 honoring Tony OlivaTony OlivaTony Pedro Oliva is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. He played his entire 15-year baseball career for the Minnesota Twins . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
(with his bronze statue nearby) - Centerfield gate is #3 for Harmon KillebrewHarmon KillebrewHarmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
- Target Plaza gate (in right field) is #34 in tribute to Kirby PuckettKirby PuckettKirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
- Right field gate is #29 in tribute to Rod CarewRod CarewRodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
- Home plate gate is #14 in honor of Kent HrbekKent HrbekFrequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
- Left field gate is #6 honoring Tony Oliva
Target Plaza
Target Plaza is the gathering area behind the right field gate (Gate 34).- On the wall of the adjacent parking garage facing the ballpark is a wind veil that makes waves as the wind blows. At night, color-changing lights add to the effect.
- Near the wind veil there are nine topiary frames each 40 feet (12.2 m) high shaped like baseball bats with hops growing on them. They are lit up every night with the same color changing scheme as the veil, however, during games they are lit up red, in sequential order, to denote the current inning.
- In this plaza are statues of former players Kirby PuckettKirby PuckettKirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
, Rod CarewRod CarewRodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
and Harmon KillebrewHarmon KillebrewHarmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
as well as former owners Calvin GriffithCalvin GriffithCalvin Robertson Griffith , born Calvin Robertson in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was a Major League Baseball team owner...
, Carl PohladCarl PohladCarl R. Pohlad was a successful financier and the owner of the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise from 1984 until his death in 2009.-Early life:...
and his wife, Eloise Pohlad. - A large "Golden Glove" sits in the plaza in recognition of all Twins players to win the Gold Glove Award. The statue can be sat on and is a popular photo attraction. It is located exactly 520 feet (158.5 m) from home plate; the distance of Harmon Killebrew's longest homerun at Met Stadium (although his was hit into the left field upper deck).
- There is a monument that shows all the venues that Minnesota-based baseball teams played in.
- On the rails of the pedestrian skybridge are pennants that contains the rosters of all the Twins teams, and pennants of players, coaches, front office people, and other contributors who have been elected to the Twins Hall of Fame.
The Field
- The main flagpoles are in right field near the Plaza. The largest pole which flies the Stars and Stripes is the original pole used at Metropolitan StadiumMetropolitan StadiumMetropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
. It was relocated to the Richfield Legion Post 435 after the Met was demolished, and after being cut in half and refurbished was re-installed for baseball at Target Field with the first flags (both US and POW/MIA) donated by Post 435 being raised at the first Twins exhibition game by veteran and flagpole historian B.W. McEvers of Bloomington. On September 6, Jim ThomeJim ThomeJames Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
hit a solo home run against the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
that hit the flag pole. - The championship banners fly on small flagpoles located on the upper rim of the stadium beyond left field. Each pole recognizes each division, league, and world championship since the team's arrival in .
- On the stadium's upper rim in right-center field are small flagpoles that fly the flag for all the teams (including the Twins) in the division. The order that the flags fly are determined by the divisional standings.
- Home plate is the same that was used at the Metrodome. After the Twins' final dome game (Game 3 of the 2009 ALDS2009 American League Division SeriesThe American League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The ALDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
), the plate was dug up and later installed at Target Field. In addition, several handfulls of dirt were taken from the sliding pit and pitcher's mound areas from the Metrodome and scattered near their counterparts at Target Field.
Twins Bars and Restaurants
At Target Field, there are three prominent bars and restaurants;- The Town Ball Tavern is located on the upper concourse by the left field corner, and is famous for serving the Jucy LucyJucy LucyA Jucy Lucy or Juicy Lucy is a cheeseburger having the cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top. A piece of cheese is surrounded by raw meat and cooked until it melts, resulting in a molten core of cheese within the patty...
burger. The wood flooring is the same used on the basketball court at the Minneapolis armory during the NBA Minneapolis LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
stay, before leaving for Los Angeles. - Hrbek's is located on the main concourse behind home plate, and is named after former Twins first basemanFirst basemanFirst base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Kent HrbekKent HrbekFrequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
. - There are two bars located on the upper concourse behind home plate, collectively called the Twins Pubs. In one of these bars, fans can watch the Target Field organist, Sue Nelson, perform during games. Out of these three bars and restaurants, the Twins Pub is the only one that does not serve food, however it is the only one in which the field is visible from inside.
- Concessions at throughout also include several Minnesota favorites like walleye, wild rice soup, Kramarczuk's sausages, as well as a "State Fair Foods" stand where many items are served "on a stick", such as the J.D. Hoyt's pork chop.
Minnie and Paul logo
A large version of the Twins' original "Minnie and Paul" logo stands in center field. It shows two players wearing the uniforms of the two minor-league teams that played in the Twin Cities before the Twins' arrival, the Minneapolis MillersMinneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
and St. Paul Saints, shaking hands across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. During various points in the game, the strobe lights surrounding the logo flash. This sign was a concept designed and illustrated by RipBang Studios but built by others.
- When the Twins score a run by any means other than a home run, the strobe lights trace the border from the bottom-left corner for each Twins player that crosses home plate, symbolizing that a Twins player rounded the bases.
- For each strikeout, the corners of the sign flash to portray the strike zone.
- The strobe lights will flash at the end of the top of an inning if the Twins do not surrender a run during the inning.
- After a Twins home run, the strobe lights flash, Minnie and Paul shake hands, and the Mississippi River flows.
- After a Twins victory, the "T" and "s" in "Twins" will blink to show the message "Twins win" in addition to the animation shown following a Twins home run.
Opening Day (April 12, 2010)
| Statistic | Team/Player(s) |
| Score | Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the... 5, Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... 2 |
|---|---|
| First Pitch | Carl Pavano Carl Pavano Carl Anthony Pavano is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently with the Minnesota Twins.-Early career:... (Twins) |
| First Batter | Marco Scutaro Marco Scutaro Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays... (Red Sox) |
| First Hit | Marco Scutaro |
| First Double | Dustin Pedroia Dustin Pedroia Dustin Luis Pedroia is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award... (Red Sox) |
| First Triple | Justin Morneau Justin Morneau Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003... (Twins) |
| First Run | Denard Span Denard Span Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School... (Twins) |
| First RBI(s) | Michael Cuddyer Michael Cuddyer Michael Brent Cuddyer is a Major League Baseball right fielder who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed, and wore number 5 for Minnesota Twins.-High school:... (Twins) |
| First Strikeout | David Ortiz David Ortiz David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox... (Red Sox) by Carl Pavano |
| First Home Run | Jason Kubel Jason Kubel Jason James Kubel is an American professional baseball player. A Belle Fourche, South Dakota native, Kubel was drafted by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2000 Draft after playing high school ball at Highland High School.-Early life:... (Twins off Scott Atchison Scott Atchison Scott Barham Atchison is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball... , Red Sox, bottom 7th) |
| First Twins Batter | Denard Span |
| First Stolen Base | Denard Span |
| First Pinch-Hitter | Jim Thome Jim Thome James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :... (Twins) |
| First Double Play | 4-6-3: Orlando Hudson Orlando Hudson Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:... to J.J. Hardy J.J. Hardy James Jerry "J.J." Hardy is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life:... to Justin Morneau Justin Morneau Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003... (Twins) |
| First Win | Carl Pavano (Twins) |
| First Save | Jon Rauch Jon Rauch Jon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:... (Twins) |
| First Loss | Jon Lester Jon Lester Jonathan Tyler Lester is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball... (Red Sox) |
| First Walk | Denard Span Denard Span Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School... |
Other Firsts
{| class="wikitable" align=center style="margin-left:15px; text-align:center; background:#ffffff;"|-
| bgcolor="e1e1e1"|Statistic
| bgcolor="e1e1e1"|Date
|-
!Suspended Game
|May 25, 2010 vs. New York Yankees
2010 New York Yankees season
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
|-
!Inside The Park Home Run
|August 21, 2011 vs. New York Yankees
2011 New York Yankees season
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader on September 21, 2011, and clinched the AL East...
by Curtis Granderson
|-
! Twins Grand Slam
|September 27, 2011 vs. Kansas City Royals
2011 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals' season of 2011 was the 43rd for the Royals franchise. It was the fifth full season with Dayton Moore as General Manager...
by Rene Tosoni
|-
! Rainout
| May 7, 2010 (scheduled vs. Baltimore Orioles
2010 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles' 2010 season was the 110th season in franchise history.-Offseason:The Orioles made many significant roster moves prior to the 2010 season. The team parted ways with several contributors from the 2009 season including Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora who was the team's longest...
)
|-
! Doubleheader
| May 8, 2010 (Day-Night DH vs. Orioles)
|-
!Walk-Off HR (and hit)
|August 17, 2010 vs. Chicago White Sox
2010 Chicago White Sox season
The 2010 Chicago White Sox Season is the organization's 111th season in Chicago and 110th in the American League. The Sox opened the 2010 season against the Cleveland Indians at home on April 5. They closed the season also against the Cleveland Indians at home on October 3...
by Jim Thome
|-
! Postseason Game
|October 6, 2010 vs. New York Yankees
2010 New York Yankees season
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
|-
Comparison to the Metrodome
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:right;"! !!Target Field!!
H.H.H.
Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
|-
! Seats
| 39,504*** || 46,564*
|-
! Lower Deck Seats
| 19,000 || 21,621
|-
! Private Suites
| 54 || 115**
|-
! Group Party Suites
| 12 || 1
|-
! Club Level Seats
| 7,000 || not applicable
|-
! Upper Deck Seats
| 13,468 || 28,779
|-
! Disabled Seating
| 820 || 190
|-
! Lower/Club Seats
between 1st and 3rd Base
| about 12,037 || 6,679
|-
! Outfield Seats
| about 6,748 || 18,594
|-
! Seats with Obstructed Views
| < 200 || 1,392
|-
! Main Concourse
| 40 feet (12.2 m),
open to field || 22 feet (6.7 m),
closed to field
|-
! Total Restrooms
| 34 || 16
|}
- *6,000 seats were covered by a curtain; these and others made the stadium expandable to 55,883 during baseball playoffs and certain games in the last homestand and one-game playoff in October 2009.
- **Controlled by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
football team. - ***This is the official capacity. However, Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets are available that can increase this capacity by approximately 2,500+.
Field dimensions are roughly comparable, with the left field area being a few feet closer to the plate, and the center field area being bounded by a 45-degree facet instead of a quarter-circle.
The new field has often been referred to as a "pitcher's park" in that it is difficult for batters to hit home runs and the pitcher has an advantage. Twins star Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
spoke for many of the players' concerns by calling "right-center to left-center... ridiculous" and that it is "almost impossible for a right-handed hitter to [homer to the] opposite field and very difficult for lefties".
External links
- Stadium site on twinsbaseball.com
- Webcam
- Minnesota Ballpark Authority official website
- The Twins Stadium Bill MN State Legislature HF2480, SF2297
- Minnesota Legislative Reference Library: Baseball Stadiums
- BallparkMagic (Target Field Construction Blog)
- Ballpark FAQ
- sports.espn.go.com