Twins Aiming for Heightened Fan Experience this Spring

[Ted Schwerzler]

Last year, the highlight of Twins baseball was certainly the October postseason atmosphere. While that will never be recreated in April, the organization is looking to a closer facsimile of it. New seating plans are coming in 2024, and that means the experience changes for fans.

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

At the beginning of December, KARE 11 reported that the Twins would be selling tickets only for the main bowl of the ballpark for April games this year. Those sections include the entirety of the 100 level, as well as 229-240 and 321-334. Season tickets are obviously sold throughout the ballpark, but fans with tickets in the terrace sections will be automatically upgraded for the final 10 games in April.

In talking with the Twins' director of business communications Matt Hodson, the focus is enhancing the fan experience. If you’ve been to the ballpark in April, you are aware that both the weather and the attendance can be spotty. The upper levels of Target Field are often barren, and some of the concession stands remain closed. Rather than spreading fans throughout the ballpark, bringing everyone in attendance together can elevate the experience for those watching and playing alike.

Selling only main bowl tickets does raise the minimum threshold to get into the ballpark, but reasonable options still exist. “Lower-level tickets are not tiered, but if you’re still just looking to find out how you can get in at the lowest price ticket, the Home Run Deck, Terrace, and Grandstand are all still open. There still is a lot of affordability in that sense,” Hodson said. Minnesota uses dynamic pricing. Tickets for the Chicago White Sox series at the end of April will still be considerably cheaper than equivalent ones for the Detroit Tigers series in July.

This isn’t going to be an Oakland Athletics situation; we won’t see tarps around Target Field. This is a logistical move, and it is one that should have a positive impact on the ballpark experience. Hodson noted the Carly Pearce postgame concert last season, where 16-18,000 fans filled the stadium. “You bring everybody down after (the game) and the energy picks up. Same number of people, but everyone is compact and enjoying the experience together. It made for a much more lively environment. We thought, let’s try to replicate that for baseball."

If the demand for the entirety of the ballpark is there, then Minnesota will sell the tickets and have those areas open. From an aesthetic perspective, the view could be impacted for the better on broadcasts as well. With just sections 301-327 unsold, the upper levels behind the plate will be the only areas where fans are not present. More bodies filling visible parts of the stadium presents nicely on whatever eventual home the Twins television offering is held.

Surely, the Twins would love to see the demand warrant the entirety of the ballpark being open. While the games could be impacted by cooler temperatures, the Los Angeles Dodgers bring their billion-dollar spending spree to town during the stretch of 10 games for which Minnesota is imposing this change. “We are certainly keeping our eye on it (the Dodgers series). Seeing one billion dollars thrown about has even caught the eyes of some casual fans. That’s certainly one that we have earmarked to see how it’s trending as Twins Fest and spring training starts.”

Single game tickets won’t be the only way to experience Twins baseball in April and beyond this year, either. Twins Pass is returning, and the details are being finalized. It will return prior to the season, although the exact on-sale date is not yet known. Twins Pass will not be impacted by the closing of certain sections. All publicly accessible parts of the stadium remain open, and while you don’t have a seat guarantee, it remains a great economical option to take in games.

Hand it to the Twins for looking to recapture October excitement as soon as possible this season. “This is really to try and say to the season ticket holders who are here more often than not, to somebody who is coming once, how do we make that April environment the best it can be? You can’t replicate October, or some of the big summer games, but we thought for a year let’s try this out and see if everyone has a better time.”

As with select concession stands being closed in the upper levels early on in the season, the Twins also stand to save some dollars by staffing a few less ushers and stadium workers. With sections 302 through 327 averaging right around 270 seats apiece, and 301 checking in at about 50 seats less, there is a substantial amount of real estate unused. Decreasing the Target Field capacity by about 7,000 openings, it will be interesting to see how the supply and demand impacts play out across markets. The full capacity for Minnesota's home sits at just above 35,500.

The opening series against Cleveland will be a full ballpark for the Twins, and Minnesota’s hope would be that a strong atmosphere continues to materialize across a big series with the Dodgers and seven more divisional matchups split between Detroit and Chicago. Fans, meanwhile, will have to decide how much they trust the organization's motives for what will also be a cost-saving measure.

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[Blyleven2011]

Heighten the fans experience  ...

Hum ...

Get rid of the junk on the scoreboards and the whirly -gig and have people concentrate on the game ...

might attract more fans of the game with less distractions  ...

If there is a real reason  for closing off sections during the game it is probably because help is hard to find to clean the stadium  ...

I wish we the fans could get a straight answer from the front office , I just cant believe anything  that comes from the front office because they always go the long way around the barn  .... 

Why can't the front office come out and express their real intentions  to the fans , we have to sit and wait for something substantial  to be added to the roster  , how are we supposed to get excited for Twins fest when they continue to lolly-gag ...

Nice article Ted  , I just can't praise the Twins staff like you can ...

[Vanimal46]

10 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Why can't the front office come out and express their real intentions  to the fans , we have to sit and wait for something substantial  to be added to the roster  , how are we supposed to get excited for Twins fest when they continue to lolly-gag ...

The Front Office literally said at the beginning of the offseason payroll was being cut. 

[Vanimal46]

As always, depends on cost. Sounds like a free upgrade for season ticket holders, and people who buy single game tickets are limited to the sections in the article? 

[ashbury]

Since they can't seem to drive up demand, they will drive up prices through scarcity.

[Major League Ready]

15 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Front Office literally said at the beginning of the offseason payroll was being cut. 

And they got criticized for being honest about their intentions.  

[Joe A. Preusser]

30 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Heighten the fans experience  ...

Hum ...

Get rid of the junk on the scoreboards and the whirly -gig and have people concentrate on the game ...

might attract more fans of the game with less distractions  ...

If there is a real reason  for closing off sections during the game it is probably because help is hard to find to clean the stadium  ...

I wish we the fans could get a straight answer from the front office , I just cant believe anything  that comes from the front office because they always go the long way around the barn  .... 

Why can't the front office come out and express their real intentions  to the fans , we have to sit and wait for something substantial  to be added to the roster  , how are we supposed to get excited for Twins fest when they continue to lolly-gag ...

Nice article Ted  , I just can't praise the Twins staff like you can ...

BOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[Blyleven2011]

22 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Front Office literally said at the beginning of the offseason payroll was being cut. 

No kidding  , there not just cutting the payroll for the team  , they're cutting cost everywhere  and at the expense of the fans ...

They have cut costs on Twins fest , the caravan isn't as big as it once was  , I don't think they leave the state to promote the twins like they used to , the twins fest also used to be 3 days ...

They're cutting cost at the expense of the fans , plain and simple  ...

[Blyleven2011]

24 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Since they can't seem to drive up demand, they will drive up prices through scarcity.

You nailed it ...

Thank you ...

[Schmoeman5]

56 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

And they got criticized for revealing for being honest about their intentions.  

And that criticism isn't warranted? Just because they're honest about ONE thing doesn't mean one can't be critical of those plans. There was a whole paragraph on the billion dollar spending Dodgers coming to town. Teams trying to get better don't get there by saying, hey let's make cuts across the board. We'll be better for it. It sounds like the A's sans the tarp. I'll bet Falvey Baldelli and Levine aren't taking pay cuts as payroll is. What's next? No heaters at Twins Fest? Save on electricity. The stadium shrinkage for April is for cost cutting measures. Heightened fan experience isn't the reason. 

[DJL44]

"We have received some complaints from our season ticket holders about being forced to interact with the working class. We decided to put the blue-collar folks in the outfield away from our suites to reduce these interactions. We may even make them use a separate entrance to enhance the experience for the fans we really care about. Plus, we get to cut some jobs which makes the Pohlad family happy."

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

And that criticism isn't warranted? Just because they're honest about ONE thing doesn't mean one can't be critical of those plans.

Okay, and what should any business do when a percentage of their revenue is lost? I am more concerned that a concrete TV deal isn't done right now than anyone they could have signed in free agency to this point. 

[Vanimal46]

3 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

And they got criticized for revealing for being honest about their intentions.  

I appreciate their honesty. It's refreshing compared to the TR days when he said ownership will approve whatever he wants to spend in vague terms. 

[Schmoeman5]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

Okay, and what should any business do when a percentage of their revenue is lost? I am more concerned that a concrete TV deal isn't done right now than anyone they could have signed in free agency to this point. 

The article states that the moves being made are for the fans. The headline states a heightened experience for fans.. Stop talking about lost revenue. That's a different story altogether. And if you think the Twins are being honest. I don't. It's more like p ing down my leg and telling me it's raining. That's not refreshing. That's a snow job

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

The article states that the moves being made are for the fans. The headline states a heightened experience for fans.. Stop talking about lost revenue. That's a different story altogether. And if you think the Twins are being honest. I don't. It's more like p ing down my leg and telling me it's raining. That's not refreshing. That's a snow job

You're confusing two completely different departments and men.

Falvey can get credit for his honesty about the payroll and the on field product, but this is a low point for Dave St. Peter and his baseball operations decisions. What a con.

We don't sell enough tickets because of the weather, which we decided to ignore with an open roof stadium, so instead we'll only sell the more expensive seats.

Think of how all of this "increasing fan experience" by making sure everyone is packed into the same sections even TWO years ago. Even before COVID, it was a bonus when you found out you didn't have others sitting next to you and you could spread out. I think it was Beatle Bailey who said hell is other people.

[sun]

I don't mean to sound insensitive, but as an east coast fan I don't see what the big deal is to complain about. It only seems to affect 10 days in April for which the tickets are being upgraded. That sounds believable & understandable since the TV contract problem was announced. The fans can look forward to next year when the local TV blackout will be gone forever & the Twins will forfeit revenue to make all games available on TV. Plus next summer in 2024 their new city connect uniforms will make their debut. Before this season starts there still may be some exciting trades or signings to keep up interest among the fans. That's what really matters is how the Twins perform on the field this year. Everything else is secondary. Loyal fans don't want to see the team hurting financially so why complain about small potatoes? Just hope that the TV contract gets ironed out. And that players like Buxton & Correa play up to their potential this season. Their performances are what will make or break the team & not the stadium layout for the tickets. Geez, let's get the team rolling. It could be the best year for the Twins in a long time if Buck can play CF again. Goodness gracious sakes alive! If the April tickets really bother you then don't go & find something else to do for 10 days in April. The Twins didn't invent the weather.in Minnesota & aren't in control of the TV contract either. It seems that some fans just want to nitpick. There's no conspiracy. Fans choose to either root for the Twins or not just like always. Nothing else matters.

[Andy Brodie]

Quote

Fans, meanwhile, will have to decide how much they trust the organization's motives for what will also be a cost-saving measure.

Not much trust here. So far, only one word describes this off-season on basically all fronts for the Twins: disappointment. What a letdown coming off of the high of some long-awaited postseason success. There may be short-term revenue challenges, but ownership/management is being terribly shortsighted. Ownership has received tremendous public financial support over the years. The franchise value continues to climb. Twins fans deserve better. 

[Whitey333]

They should do like they used to.  Keep home games to a minimum in April.  Last year they played 16 home games in April.  Their most home games of any month last year.  I know they don't make the schedule but they do have approval rights.  Just win baby and the fans come.  

[Nebtwinsfan]

5 hours ago, sun said:

I don't mean to sound insensitive, but as an east coast fan I don't see what the big deal is to complain about. It only seems to affect 10 days in April for which the tickets are being upgraded. That sounds believable & understandable since the TV contract problem was announced. The fans can look forward to next year when the local TV blackout will be gone forever & the Twins will forfeit revenue to make all games available on TV. Plus next summer in 2024 their new city connect uniforms will make their debut. Before this season starts there still may be some exciting trades or signings to keep up interest among the fans. That's what really matters is how the Twins perform on the field this year. Everything else is secondary. Loyal fans don't want to see the team hurting financially so why complain about small potatoes? Just hope that the TV contract gets ironed out. And that players like Buxton & Correa play up to their potential this season. Their performances are what will make or break the team & not the stadium layout for the tickets. Geez, let's get the team rolling. It could be the best year for the Twins in a long time if Buck can play CF again. Goodness gracious sakes alive! If the April tickets really bother you then don't go & find something else to do for 10 days in April. The Twins didn't invent the weather.in Minnesota & aren't in control of the TV contract either. It seems that some fans just want to nitpick. There's no conspiracy. Fans choose to either root for the Twins or not just like always. Nothing else matters.

I couldn't agree more. This makes sense for a number of reasons but some people are never happy. 

[Major League Ready]

13 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

And that criticism isn't warranted? Just because they're honest about ONE thing doesn't mean one can't be critical of those plans. There was a whole paragraph on the billion dollar spending Dodgers coming to town. Teams trying to get better don't get there by saying, hey let's make cuts across the board. We'll be better for it. It sounds like the A's sans the tarp. I'll bet Falvey Baldelli and Levine aren't taking pay cuts as payroll is. What's next? No heaters at Twins Fest? Save on electricity. The stadium shrinkage for April is for cost cutting measures. Heightened fan experience isn't the reason. 

You apparently ignore what's going on with a lot of teams.  Businesses have budgets.  Several other teams are also making moves based on finances.  Fans seem to have no problems understanding players make decision based on dollars.  Do you not understand this is a business or do you not understand how businesses operate?   

[sweetmusicviola16]

Cutting on a team that won it's division and not attempting to strengthen it is just plain ridiculous.

[Woof Bronzer]

54 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

  Do you not understand this is a business or do you not understand how businesses operate?   

Do the Twins understand how businesses operate?  Gotta spend money to make money.  Gotta put a product out there that people want to buy.  Deciding to make the product worse when there is more enthusiasm for your product than there has been in years is a terrible business decision, any MBA will tell you that.  The Pohlads dipping into their own net worth and covering a $10-$20m revenue shortfall is the equivalent of about $200-$375 for the average American.  So the Pohlads are burning down all the good will built up over the the end of the season in order to save themselves the equivalent of a couple phone bills.  Again, unquestionably dumb business decision.  

Why anyone would defend the Twins at this point, who have been doing this sort of thing for decades, is just so far beyond my comprehension.  

Question:  how are the mid market Dbacks, who also had a breakthrough season after years of futility, and who also have TV deal uncertainty of their own, handling this offseason?

[Squirrel]

Moderator note: There were a few comments here that were over the line. Please keep it respectful and on topic. Leave the name calling and inappropriate analogies out of it.

[MMMordabito]

At the holiday party the Twins front office must have replaced Pin The Tail on the Donkey with Put The Lipstick on the Pig.

Edited January 8, 2024 by MMMordabito
misspelling

[Woof Bronzer]

13 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Okay, and what should any business do when a percentage of their revenue is lost? 

Depends.  Is that business publicly subsidized?  Has that business conversely reinvested higher-than-anticipated profits in positive years?  Is cutting costs still going to allow the business to achieve its goals, or would a short term loss potentially lead to sustainable, long term gains?  Lots of factors at play for a smart business person to consider. 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Do the Twins understand how businesses operate?  Gotta spend money to make money.  Gotta put a product out there that people want to buy.  Deciding to make the product worse when there is more enthusiasm for your product than there has been in years is a terrible business decision, any MBA will tell you that.  The Pohlads dipping into their own net worth and covering a $10-$20m revenue shortfall is the equivalent of about $200-$375 for the average American.  So the Pohlads are burning down all the good will built up over the the end of the season in order to save themselves the equivalent of a couple phone bills.  Again, unquestionably dumb business decision.  

Why anyone would defend the Twins at this point, who have been doing this sort of thing for decades, is just so far beyond my comprehension.  

Question:  how are the mid market Dbacks, who also had a breakthrough season after years of futility, and who also have TV deal uncertainty of their own, handling this offseason?

This MBA won't tell you any such thing.  Spending is dictated by revenue.  You find a way to do it that can be supported by the given level of revenue.   Then, you find a way to raise revenue,  What any MBA with experience will tell you is to never draw conclusions until you have all the information.  The off-season is far from over.  The Twins had not done much to this point last year either.   Also, your Dback reference makes little sense given their projected payroll is around $130M which is about the same as what the Twins are expecting to spend.  If they spend $100M, then you have a valid complaint.

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

You apparently ignore what's going on with a lot of teams.  Businesses have budgets.  Several other teams are also making moves based on finances.  Fans seem to have no problems understanding players make decision based on dollars.  Do you not understand this is a business or do you not understand how businesses operate?   

Cry me a river. It's a business. I get that. Then don't release a  piece about how you're doing this particular move for the fans. I don't even care that they're doing it. But don't tell me it's going to make for a better experience. That's a b.s. story. It's about money. What part of what I'm posting don't you get? And that's how all these things started. In 2024 it's April only. Next year it'll be April and May. In a few years it'll be June because that's when school lets out and that's when they start drawing more. 

[KirbyDome89]

19 hours ago, ashbury said:

Since they can't seem to drive up demand, they will drive up prices through scarcity.

What could go wrong....

[KirbyDome89]

4 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Do you not understand this is a business or do you not understand how businesses operate?

Do you understand how consumers operate? If the product you purchase from me starts to decline in quality while increasing in price, do you shrug and chalk it up to "the cost of doing business," or do you question the practices at play and potentially take your business elsewhere?

The Twins aren't some mom and pop shop down the street that have to raise prices to keep the lights on. We're ignoring that inconvenient truth. 

The Pohlads are literal billionaires. They decided to cut payroll over an inconsequential amount of broadcast $$ (money which they'll eventually make by either streaming or selling broadcast rights) and immediately dump cold water on the first playoff victory for this franchise in two decades. Now they're passing down part of the "burden," of the Bally debacle to the the fans, i.e. the consumer, by forcing those attending games into higher priced seats. The cherry on top is the team pitching this nonsense as some kind of exercise in fan unity. It's total bull**** and the org deserves to be called on it. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

13 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Do you understand how consumers operate? If the product you purchase from me starts to decline in quality while increasing in price, do you shrug and chalk it up to "the cost of doing business," or do you question the practices at play and potentially take your business elsewhere?

The Twins aren't some mom and pop shop down the street that have to raise prices to keep the lights on. We're ignoring that inconvenient truth. 

The Pohlads are literal billionaires. They decided to cut payroll over an inconsequential amount of broadcast $$ (money which they'll eventually make by either streaming or selling broadcast rights) and immediately dump cold water on the first playoff victory for this franchise in two decades. Now they're passing down part of the "burden," of the Bally debacle to the the fans, i.e. the consumer, by forcing those attending games into higher priced seats. The cherry on top is the team pitching this nonsense as some kind of exercise in fan unity. It's total bull**** and the org deserves to be called on it. 

I would also add, some of us look for cheaper seats where there are not as many people around b/c that's how we want to enjoy the game best. I'm really surprised at how many Pohlad defenders are out there