Why don't minor league teams play a game or series at the MLB park each year?

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I think scheduling one game, and possibly a series at Target field would be a positive for the fans, players, and organization. For the fans it gives people the opportunity to see the organizational prospects, without having to travel to different states and help build a familiarity with the teams future. For the players, it would be a good way of feeling what it's like playing the major league facitly, but without the pressure of being the new guy. The organization would likely make some money by promoting the games and maybe getting high attendance. They would also be able to scout the players in the home MLB park and get a better feel where the guys play defensively with better feild conditions.

 

I'm sure there are logistical and maybe even contractual issues, but I am failed confident that this could be pulled off and be beneficial for everyone. Not too hard to schedule these games during a road series I wouldn't think. I think they would get good attendance if prompted properly. How many people would pay to watch Chattanooga play with Berrios on the mound, and Buxton, Sano, and walker batting?

[Blake]

Basically a Twins Farm System futures game?

 

Not a bad idea at all.

[Steven Buhr]

It's completely doable. It's all about money (but what isn't?). A Kernels game at TF would be relatively easy to set up against Wisconsin or Beloit, in particular. Other affiliates would be tougher, because it would involve having to fly two teams in and back again to wherever their next games are.

 

The Twins would have to compensate their affiliate for the lost home date's revenue, but that's not cost-prohibitive, either. (Wisconsin routinely plays a game just about each season at Miller Park).

 

The bottom line is that the Twins would have to believe there would be enough interest in the Twin Cities to absorb the expenses of making it happen. The fact that it hasn't happened is, I think, a pretty clear indication that the Twins FO doesn't believe there would be sufficient interest to make it worth the effort.

[Otto von Ballpark]

How much does this happen around MLB?

 

It would definitely be fun as a fan, but for a game or three I'm not sure it would really offer any benefit to the team or players.

[DaveW]

I think you overestimate how much your average ticket buying fan cares about the minor league team. You certainly couldn't charge premium prices for tickets

[SwainZag]

While it sounds fun and dandy this year, how many people would have watched the AA club 5 years ago at Target Field?  

[diehardtwinsfan]

It's an interesting promo idea.  I could see it working in certain circumstances.  Biggest issue is making it worthwhile to the owner losing the home date.  I think one game at TF could easily do that, especially if it's marketed right.  But yeah, I think it's team by team.  You'd have seen the draw with Cedar Rapids/ Fort Meyer last year or Chattanooga this year...  Not quite sure you'd get that draw to see Cedar Rapids this year.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Well maybe they could chose one affiliate a year to play one game there? If they did it in mid May to now, you could probably have better control what players you'd have playing in the game. Waiting to promote those player until after the game.

 

I think having a border battle Futures Game with Milwaukee, or even a different team each year in would maybe garner more steam. That way you can promote at least a handful of our studs, along with the best of other teams. Not sure when that game would beat work, but I'm guessing they could make it around the all star break maybe.

 

If they promoted it right, it might bring more people into minor league/prospect fans and more entrenched/invested fans like ourselves. We all didn't just ALWAYS have the interest we have now about prospects...we had a learning curve too. This would help with future fandom and sales.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I also don't think that just because it hasn't been done yet, doesn't mean they have already thought about it and decided agasint it. It's possible, but I wouldn't say that it's something they would have floated and turned down.

[spinowner]

If memory serves I think the Twins (and maybe other major league teams) used to play one exhibition game a year against the AAA team at the AAA stadium. The idea was to give the AAA fans a chance to see the major leaguers. This was discontinued long ago, presumably because in this day and age it's considered a liability to make your players play an extra meaningless game.

It hadn't occurred to me to give the major league fans a chance to see the minor leaguers, but I'd think it would not be worth the logistical headaches.