New upgrades to Target Field in 2013?

[BrentMpls]

"Pohlads want #TargetField to be first class forever. They're already taking bids for a number of improvements next season."

https://twitter.com/SidHartman/status/215585055341412355

 

 

This Tweet under Sid's name is the only place I've heard about this - anyone have any additional info on what they are planning for Target Field? 2011 was a big deal with the Twins Tower, 2nd Scoreboard, Tree Trail of Tears, and a few heating lamps.

[TheLeviathan]

Walls coming in huh?

[minn55441]

I know this year, everything done was mostly behind the scenes stuff like new carpet in the suite area. I know as per the agreement that they signed when TF was built, they are required to dump a specific amount or specific percentage back in the facility every year.

[Highabove]

I would much rather have the improvements go to the Pitching Staff.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I know this year, everything done was mostly behind the scenes stuff like new carpet in the suite area. I know as per the agreement that they signed when TF was built, they are required to dump a specific amount or specific percentage back in the facility every year.

Interesting you use the word "dump". As Glen Perkins might say, the product on the field looks like what he "dumps" after he eats Chipotle.

[notoriousgod71]

I would much rather have the improvements go to the Pitching Staff.

This.

[BrentMpls]

I know this year, everything done was mostly behind the scenes stuff like new carpet in the suite area. I know as per the agreement that they signed when TF was built, they are required to dump a specific amount or specific percentage back in the facility every year.

 

Good point. Nice idea really, that way every year they can claim they are improving it.

 

Hopefully it means more than just replacing carpet for the elite areas though!

[righty8383]

Maybe they should do something about the CF area. Maybe plant some nice trees or something:rolleyes:

[BrentMpls]

Maybe they should do something about the CF area. Maybe plant some nice trees or something:rolleyes:

Now that Cuddyer is gone I don't see why not

 

Be nice to lower it again to 2010 level to you can see easier from center field SRO area too

[spideyo]

I would much rather have the improvements go to the Pitching Staff.

It doesn't work like that. The money spent of facilities improvement and maintenance is an entirely separate fund and CANNOT be spent on payroll.

 

 

 

August-October is the period when MN Sportservice (the company that operates all the concessions, retail, suites and restaurant spaces at Target Field, and my employer) will submit their requests for capital improvements. Things like new kitchen equipment, improved beer distribution systems (one thing I know that is being requested), remodeling/alteration of the various vending spaces, that kind of thing. The Twins will sort through those, figure out which stuff is an absolute priority, and pay for those first. After that, they will look at how much budget they have left and compare the other internal an external proposals and figure out what they can afford. Most likely any significant changes won't be announced until late November or December.

 

I haven't heard much talk yet, but if I hear any juicy rumors I'll let you know.

 

My best guesses at this point would be:

1. Expansion of local/craft brews in the ballpark

2. Improvements to the plaza to encourage more people to come early

3. Permanent addition of The Giant Slugger big dog or something similar to create a "signature" food at Target Field

 

Don't expect them to move the fences anytime soon. They don't want "dead space", and with attendance dropping, they aren't going to add more seats.

 

 

If anyone does have specific issues that you think should be addressed, please let me know. I will be submitting some of my own proposals to my managers in the next month or two (largely related to the Rooftop where I usually work)

[BrentMpls]

My best guesses at this point would be:

1. Expansion of local/craft brews in the ballpark

 

I'd like that, but I'm not sure that this would come out of the Twins pocket, would it? They all seem to be on mobile stands (more on that later). Shock Top, Blue Moon, and Surly are the ones I've seen most often.

 

 

2. Improvements to the plaza to encourage more people to come early

 

That would be great, but I wonder how much more they can do in that already fairly cramped space. Such a tease to sell Blue Moon or some other craft beer just outside the gates but not be allowed to bring it in.

 

 

3. Permanent addition of The Giant Slugger big dog

 

Speaking of which, did anyone try that monster? I only made it to one game in July and wasn't able to check it out before it was laid to rest.

 

If anyone does have specific issues that you think should be addressed, please let me know. I will be submitting some of my own proposals to my managers in the next month or two (largely related to the Rooftop where I usually work)

 

The most realistic change I think they could make that I personally would love to see is more "shelf" space to put drinks, dogs, programs, etc. down for the standing areas. Many sections don't have them, it would be nice to see them all around the ballpark rather than just every few sections or so.

 

I'm not sure what they could do to improve, but another complaint is how cramped the isles are near gate 34 and 29 before a game. It's a zoo until you get past home plate/3rd base to and past gate 14.

 

I also find it annoying that on the second level that The Legends Club blocks access from the left and right field sides. if I want to make it over to the Town Ball Tavern/Budweiser Deck Entrance side from the Gate 29 side, tough luck, you have to go back down the escalator and walk down to Gate 6, take that escalator back up. And Visa Versa.

 

I'd like to be continued to be wow'd, cool new additions that I and others aren't expecting would be great.

[James]

I like the idea of adding more craft beer. The Surly line was backed up pretty far at the beginning of the year, but isn't too bad. It would be nice to have more than one place to get that. I don't usually make it up to Townball Tavern, so I miss out on the Fulton.

 

I really can't think of too many other things, really. I'm sure if I thought about it more, I could think of some more stuff.

[bulldogguy]

I was there this past Tuesday and saw a Goose Island stand right by the Surly stand...love the fact that they are looking to add more craft beers. Tthough Goose is no longer independent and owned by Anheiser -~sp? Busch I believe - don't drink their products, so I can't spell it;).

[Boom Boom]

Automatic flushers.

[nicksaviking]

I also find it annoying that on the second level that The Legends Club blocks access from the left and right field sides. if I want to make it over to the Town Ball Tavern/Budweiser Deck Entrance side from the Gate 29 side, tough luck, you have to go back down the escalator and walk down to Gate 6, take that escalator back up. And Visa Versa.

Yeah, this always seemed like a strange architecural decision. It's almost like they want the rubes to get right up to the legends club to see what they're missing then send them back down and up and around. Rub our nose in the fact that the big spenders don't have to go out of their way but the rest of us need to make a lengthy detour.

 

The plaza also does seem a little crowded to fit more entertainment, but that could be remedied too. I don't know why they felt comfrotable building part of the plaza over the 394 exit but left the other half open. I don't see a reason why at some point the plaza couldn't be expanded over all of 394 all the way up to Target Center.

[jctwins]

 

My best guesses at this point would be:

1. Expansion of local/craft brews in the ballpark

2. Improvements to the plaza to encourage more people to come early

3. Permanent addition of The Giant Slugger big dog or something similar to create a "signature" food at Target Field

 

1. Allow beer bought on the plaza in a team cup to be brought into the gate. That would sell more beer, because I have walked past it several times and waited until I got closer to my seat to buy one.

 

2. Switch the damn paper towel dispensers from those tension ones to ones that actually work.

 

3. Put a scoreboard up that shows the lineup that is one the field, instead of just the lineup that is batting.

 

There are others but that's all that comes to mind right now.

[MrHockey]

"Pohlads want #TargetField to be first class forever. They're already taking bids for a number of improvements next season."

https://twitter.com/SidHartman/status/215585055341412355

 

 

This Tweet under Sid's name is the only place I've heard about this - anyone have any additional info on what they are planning for Target Field? 2011 was a big deal with the Twins Tower, 2nd Scoreboard, Tree Trail of Tears, and a few heating lamps.

Heard they are considering trees to soften the black eye in center field but to the sides.

[Rosterman]

Give us pitcher information.

[DaveW]

Upgrades: Code for "We know we sucked the past 2 years on the field but we are going to raise ticket prices anyways under the guise of a new food station or 2 more urinals"

[John Bonnes]

If I remember right, the Twins are committed (contractually?) to paying $1.5M per year into a fund that is used for maintenance and improvements, but they've been sinking additional money into things too. I'm very happy about this. They seem to really value their home and I'd like it to last a long, long time; not just the 30 year (or however long) lease they have.

[BrentMpls]

I'd like it to last a long, long time; not just the 30 year (or however long) lease they have.

 

I agree!

[Darin Bratsch]

Heard they are considering trees to soften the black eye in center field but to the sides.

Please add some trees back in CF, even if just on the sides.

[silverslugger]

Let's just add a few inches to the mound and not tell anybody. Oh wait... that benefits power pitchers and the Twins don't have any of those:eek: save Perkins.

[70charger]

Automatic flushers.

Troughs.

[Boom Boom]

Troughs.

Hey, at least with the troughs we didn't have to touch the flush handle on the urinal that everybody else had touched between relieving themselves and washing their hands.

[DPJ]

Hey, at least with the troughs we didn't have to touch the flush handle on the urinal that everybody else had touched between relieving themselves and washing their hands.

You actually touch those?

[Boom Boom]

You actually touch those?

Well, they do fill up over time if nobody flushes them. I usually use my sleeve or something but I still feel icky about it.

[DPJ]

Well, they do fill up over time if nobody flushes them. I usually use my sleeve or something but I still feel icky about it.

Bruce Lee that **** with your shoe.

[Boom Boom]

Bruce Lee that **** with your shoe.

I can totally axe-kick those things but I don't want to show off. Also I don't want any extra germs on my shoes.

[SurroundedByTigers]

Let's just add a few inches to the mound and not tell anybody. Oh wait... that benefits power pitchers and the Twins don't have any of those:eek: save Perkins.

Power pitchers may only be part of the solution. But what I want to see is the Twins put 2-4 rows of special seating on the field, in left, say about 30 feet inside the left-field pole, and 30 feet inside the right-field pole, and then running maybe 100 feet toward centerfield.

These become premium seats, and would be our equivalent to the Green Monster seats in Boston.

Tigers also brought their fences in in left field after they realized nobody could hit them out to left.

These field level seats would create new bounces and odd caroms and make the game more interesting. It also would make the pitchers pay much closer attention to keeping the ball down.