Mason: Target Field Should Not Have A Roof

[John Bonnes]

Seems like an appropriate time for this topic....

Tyler Mason of FSN gave his take on the "Should Target Field have been built with a roof?" debate. Even if it could have (and I believe it probably could have, one way or the other) he wouldn't have.

 

With all due respect to Miller Park, the ballpark experience when the roof is open is not truly an outdoor game. The analogy I like to use is this: Outdoor parks like Target Field are like a convertible with the top down, while Miller Park with the roof open is like a sedan with the sunroof open and the windows rolled down.

 

I've been pretty steadily preaching the same message for 10 years BEFORE Target Field was opened. But today, I'm certainly open to listening to other points of view (and I probably was on Opening Day, too.)

 

Mason: Target Field delivers true outdoor feel

[TheLeviathan]

Couldn't agree more - every day like today is worth it for those summer games in a true baseball park. Miller just doesn't feel the same. Nice park, but I love an actual baseball stadium.

 

Plus - what's so bad about double headers? Those are awesome!

[stringer bell]

Seattle's park is well-designed and looks and feels like an outdoor park when the roof is open. Every other domed stadium does feel like a dome when opened.

[John Bonnes]

Seattle's park is well-designed and looks and feels like an outdoor park when the roof is open. Every other domed stadium does feel like a dome when opened.

I've heard this, but have not seen Safeco. I suppose I could change my mind when I see it. I hope to this summer.

[Larsbars08]

It's been a crappy April, no doubt about that. But one bad month in the third year the park has been open isn't a reason to question the stadium design. With all due respect to Tyler Mason, but this article reeks of filler and contractual obligation. In two-three weeks when summer weather begins, nobody will care that a few games got rained/snowed out.

[Othercousin 324]

I was an advocate of a retractable roof during stadium debate, and I'm in agreement with SB on the merits of Safeco. However, I now think sans retractable was the way to go. The temptation to close the roof is just too great. In Milwaukee and other cities, the roof gets closed for the puniest of reasons.

[ashbury]

You would need more acreage than the downtown Mpls site affords, and it would add to the cost of the roof, but maybe a really heavy duty engineering solution would involve being able to move a large part of the roof structure a few dozen yards away, probably only doable with a fair amount of forethought so that once you commit to having the roof in place it stays there until the end of the homestand and vice versa.

[spideyo]

Safeco has a considerably larger footprint than Target Field. While they could have done a roof of sorts, they simply didn't have the space to put in one as nice as safeco.

 

Honestly, this April is pretty unusual, and we may never see another one like it, with this much snow an cold air this late.

 

If it was 20 degrees warmer (typical April temps) these would have all been rain storms, and target field can handle rain REALLY well.

 

Of corse some day we may need to deal with snow in October, but I think if we are actually still playing in October, no one will mind the weather too much

[Willihammer]

If you think this is bad, wait till August when the Bute makes his triumphant return to catch all these makeup doubleheaders.

 

My brother was born on Christmas (Apr 19, 1983), he said he can't recall a single b-day with snow. Its a weird spring with a weird schedule, that's all.

[kab21]

Safeco is a brilliant design but I'm not sure it would work as well in MN. For one thing there is the space issue that has been mentioned. Another reason that it works well in Seattle is that Safeco feels like it's down the hill and Seattle's skyline is still prominently visible.

 

I agree with the comments about Miller Park. It's a nice park but it really have that same outdoor feel since you can't really see out of the park. I haven't been to Target Field yet but Comerica and Safeco are great parks and Target Field photos feel similar.

[stringer bell]

If you think this is bad, wait till August when the Bute makes his triumphant return to catch all these makeup doubleheaders.

 

My brother was born on Christmas (Apr 19, 1983), he said he can't recall a single b-day with snow. Its a weird spring with a weird schedule, that's all.

I laughed out loud about Christmas! April 19 is my birthday as well. I can testify that I've seen snow on my birthday as recently as the 90s. My sister-in-law visited us on her birthday on the 27th of April and we had about eight inches of sloppy snow in Rochester (late 80s I think), but never, ever have I seen unrelenting cold and wave after wave of snow this late. This is far from routine and every bit as rare as the 75 degree temps we had in March last year.

[70charger]

Honestly, this April is pretty unusual, and we may never see another one like it, with this much snow an cold air this late.

 

God I hope so.

[Guest USAFChief]

For my money, Safeco ain't all that. Nicer than the other roofed baseball parks I've been to, but even with the roof open, it still had an airplane hanger feel to me. I'd take TF over Safeco 10 times out of 10, and deal with the weather issues.

[Physics Guy]

Honestly, this April is pretty unusual, and we may never see another one like it, with this much snow an cold air this late.

 

I've been around HS baseball for 25 years and this has by far been the worst season in Minnesota during that time. Our HS team has not practiced outside yet. Usually by April 1 we could start being outside regularly, with occasional days where we would be pushed indoors. I quit coaching a couple years back and feel very sorry for those still involved. Once their season starts it's going to be a nightmare.

 

On a related note, my son gets to go to the afternoon game tomorrow as a reward for being a School Patrol. I told him to pack his snow pants!

[Nick Nelson]

It's been an historically bizarre month weather-wise, and not just in MN. People are overreacting. There were no noticeable weather issues over the first three years at Target Field and there probably won't be over the next three. Rainouts are part of baseball.

[snepp]

Rainouts are part of baseball.

 

Or in the case of 2013, snowouts.

[Top Gun]

Who would ever travel 400 miles to see a baseball game with rain and snow in the forecast?

Alot of money lost.

[Squirrel]

Who would ever travel 400 miles to see a baseball game with rain and snow in the forecast?

Alot of money lost.

 

I traveled (by air) from Chicago to see a game the first year the stadium was opened. It was the only rainout they had that year. The game was rescheduled for the next day but, unfortunately, because of my work schedule, I couldn't stay for it. I did, however, get to see and walk around inside the park before I had to leave, thanks to friends with amazing connections. I don't regret the money spent and not seeing the game. I knew the risks. And I'd do it again.

[Squirrel]

I laughed out loud about Christmas! April 19 is my birthday as well. I can testify that I've seen snow on my birthday as recently as the 90s. My sister-in-law visited us on her birthday on the 27th of April and we had about eight inches of sloppy snow in Rochester (late 80s I think), but never, ever have I seen unrelenting cold and wave after wave of snow this late. This is far from routine and every bit as rare as the 75 degree temps we had in March last year.

 

I, too, am an April baby, but earlier ... the 11th. And yes, I do remember snow on my birthday, but no, not this continued stuff you guys are getting. Mostly I remember a lot of nice Spring days, not winter revisited. But one thing I do remember ... getting one of the worst sunburns in my life on my birthday.

[Mike Sixel]

No roof. Baseball is an outdoor game.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Seems to be a lot of agreement here. I'll join in.

 

No roof. Summer games make it all worthwhile.

[Top Gun]

Most people take vans buses with family and friends they stay over nite and weekends go to malls spend money. No roof is just bad, just wait till we have a wet cold summer. I remember when it rained every day for a month.

[drjim]

Do people who like baseball and/or actually go to games complain about a lack of a roof? Or is this a media story driven primarily by one of John's employers?

[Nick Nelson]

Do people who like baseball and/or actually go to games complain about a lack of a roof?

 

Yes. Many fans hate rainouts, especially when they're traveling to see a game & plans are affected.

[James]

Do people who like baseball and/or actually go to games complain about a lack of a roof? Or is this a media story driven primarily by one of John's employers?

I heard a fan say they should have put a roof on TF when I was walking down the sidewalk on my way to the first game of the Angels series. So, some fans do care.

 

I am glad they didn't put a roof on TF. I will gladly take the April we've had once every few years (and let's face it, it's been more than three years since we've had an April like this) in exchange for completely outdoor baseball.

[ScottyB]

No roof, but sensible schedulers. 14 home games for the Twins in April and only 9 in July? We play two 2game series against the Marlins, one here, one there - wouldn't you schedule the April series in Miami and the June series in Minnesota? Fewer April games here, more mid summer games.

[drjim]

Fewer April games here, more mid summer games.

 

This is not a realistic solution. Sure it is nice for the Twins but every team in baseball wants that schedule. The best dates for attendance are always between Memorial Day and Labor Day. No chance the Twins get to load up on those days every year.

[DaveW]

They should play 1 or 2 games each year in the Metrodome just for ****s and giggles

[GCTF]

They should play 1 or 2 games each year in the Metrodome just for ****s and giggles

 

Against the White Sox.

[Otto von Ballpark]

They should play 1 or 2 games each year in the Metrodome just for ****s and giggles

I could get behind this. But then again, I am perhaps Metrodome baseball's most ardent supporter. Loved that place.

 

It would have been interesting if there was a monster snowstorm threatening a whole series or homestand -- other teams have had games cancelled and move to neutral sites in such circumstances. They could have done it here: cancel the games at Target Field, and schedule new general admission ones at the Dome. Although you'd still have to deal with the bad weather for the teams traveling, everybody getting to the ballpark, etc., so the actual benefit would be reduced, and thus it will never happen. But it would be fun to see.

 

I wonder if they could pack the Dome for a one-off game? Would have been cool to schedule the season finale this year at the Dome, before its demolition. But I guess most people (especially Twins brass) hate the place, and they don't want to do anything to impact the Target Field "brand" either.