If Minnesota Twins Are Serious About Fan Appreciation, They Need to Prove It

[Lou Hennessy]

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Year after year, the last couple of home series are marked by the Twins as “Fan Appreciation” games. This September, though, it’s hard for fans to feel valued, given the state of the franchise. 

The main contributor to the bottomed-out fan morale is obviously the on-field product, but it goes far beyond that. The damage has been done for a large contingent of fans, who want to be excited about the current iteration of the team. Worse, I’m worried that the effects of their decision to strip down their investment in the ballpark experience will cause irreversible harm to the next generation of Twins fans. 

So what’s the answer? The easy response (that will surely flood the comment section of this article) is that ownership should invest in better players this offseason, or find a time machine DeLorean, gun it to 88, and go back in time to 2023, where they can reverse their decision to cut payroll when the club was at its high point. Then maybe the image of tomorrow’s Twins fans won’t fade away, like the photo of the siblings in Back to the Future.

Sadly, both options appear about as likely to occur at this point. 

So, putting away the very valid notion that investment needs to be made on the field for a minute, I have an idea for how the Twins can build attention and excitement in their product—but it might sting for a little bit. The Twins need to allow kids into their games for free with a paying adult, at least for the next few years. 

That would surely affect the bottom line, when it comes to ticket sales, but it would start to repair the deep wounds that have been made to the goodwill between the club and the fanbase. They need to make going to a Twins game accessible to everyone. That isn’t the case right now. Nor will it become so simply by way of the Pohlads emptying their closets filled with cheap hats and BOGO coupons for Caribou Coffee.

I became a fan of the Twins in the mid- to late 1990s—hardly a high point, when it came to the on-field product. But I was lucky enough to have parents who could afford to take me to a few games a year, stick an affordable Hormel hot dog in my yap and teach me about our beloved pastime and all that the beauty that the ballpark can hold, even with an ugly stadium and a team with an ugly record. Those memories fostered a love for Twins baseball in me, far more than a leftover giveaway jersey ever could. 

Not everyone could afford to do that for their kids, and they certainly can’t in today’s climate. I just checked the get-in price for next Friday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, and the cheapest option runs $18 per seat. That doesn’t include parking, or the exorbitant prices of concessions. Taking into account these figures for, let's say, a family of four, the overall tab of the experience quickly prices out many families. 

Imagine being able to offer that same experience to a family for nearly half the price. That gets more butts in the seats, more eyes on the product, more money in through concessions and merchandise sales, and most importantly, more treasured memories of Twins baseball in the hearts of the next generation of fans. 

And guess what? Those kids who would get in for free would grow up to be adult fans, eager to spend their money on their beloved ballclub, all because the team had the guts to get them invested early on—even if it meant temporarily losing out on the bottom line. 

Current promotions like 612 Saturdays (where they offer $6 beer, $2 food and $1 snacks before first pitch) are a good start, but maybe the Twins need to show their fans that they value them in that fashion for more than two hours a week. 

So here’s my plea to the franchise that won me over even when the on-field team wasn’t winning. Stop making it harder for kids to fall in love with your product, and they’ll reward you in the long run. Keep your leftover giveaway items, and make a covenant with the next generation of Twins fans that promises you’ll invest in them now, and they’ll invest in you for years to come. 

Years from now, there isn’t going to be some DeLorean that you can hop in and travel back in time to win back a generation of Twins fans that you’re currently daring to tune out of your product. 

---

What do you think? Would this idea help build goodwill between the club and the fans? What other ideas do you have that could help re-engage the young fanbase? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below, and as always, stay sweet. 

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[The Great Hambino]

As someone who is at least a decade away from being able to leave my two kids at home to watch themselves, I heartily approve this message!

They'll never do it every game, but they've been trying to market their Sundays as family/kids days.  I could see them doing this on Sundays, or at least once a month

[USNMCPO]

Every season has dog games where attendance isn't expected to be high. Why not look at those games and do it? Yes, the games won't be great but it still is an experience that kids would enjoy and perhaps become paying fans in the future. But then, are the Pohlads even remotely serious about the future?

[Western SD Fan]

I think Lou is onto something.  I would potentially use a multi-pronged plan to try to get more people to come to the game.

I reviewed the promotions that the Twins currently have, I was actually surprised the amount of reduced meal options that were available.  Tuesdays have Dollar a Dog night.  Student tickets are available for $5 plus a free Metro Pass on games Monday through Thursday games.  On Sundays, kids under 12 get to run the bases plus they have 50% off kids' meals ($4).  Reference can be found here:  Daily Ticket Specials | Minnesota Twins. I like Lou's idea of kids getting in free but maybe modify it, so kids get in for 50% off of the adult ticket with a max of $20/ticket for the kids.  Set off certain sections of the field at each level (1XX, 2XX, 3XX), including the family sections for this concept. 

This may be completely off base from idea of attracting kids (and parents) to the game, but another way to get people into the stadium is to go the Rockies route.  The Rockies have been selling cheap beer and cheap tickets for a few years now and have consistently been in the top half of attendance, including this year for a team that is pushing to be the historically worst team in baseball.  My research suggests that for $16 (which includes a $6 concession credit), you get access to The Rooftop, where for 2 hours before 1st pitch you can get $3 beers and $6 craft beers.  For a young, drinking-age adult, that is cheaper than any place near the stadium and would likely purchase other concessions as they pre-game for the remaining night out.  Will that make these individuals fans for life?  Not likely.  What it does do is boost attendance and make the stadium a place for people to meet and congregate.  Frequently Asked Questions | The Rooftop | Colorado Rockies

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Agreed Lou. Accessibility is an MLB problem, not just the Twins, but accessibility in general, especially with kids, would benefit the sport and Twins Fandom over the long run.

Kids should always be significantly cheaper than adults. A buck or two or 5 type of price for kids under 16.

The 6:40 weekday start is very good

having some games on free TV would be very good, the streaming option being affordable is a very good step.

Baseball for beginners type of broadcast/simulcast

There used to be scorecards given away by the ushers back in the day, with the stubby pencil. I taught my now wife to keep score, and that helped her understand the game.

unfortunately all this stuff has a cost, that the Pohlads are too short sighted, or too obtuse, to see through. Their investment into the team, into the ballpark, into building a market is how they grew their investment from $44m to $1.7b, and yet they cut in the ways that help them grow their business. this stuff is super obvious, and any business owner worth a darn would already be doing it.

[Brett]

When I take the kids to a game, we buy the cheapest tickets and never sit down. They like circling the stadium, finding their favorite concessions, and seeing Sue the organist. How about discounting the standing room tickets for kids?

seriously, they just need to try something. 

[Nshore]

I think they'd rather do something like take the "Bark at the Park" night idea and run with it.  Turn the whole stadium into a pricey dog park between home stands.  Fans and players will have to be very careful where they step.

 

[D.C Twins]

(Narrator's Voice in the tone of Moses from the 10 commandments movie):

THEY ARE NOT SERIOUS... 

[D.C Twins]

2 hours ago, Brett said:

When I take the kids to a game, we buy the cheapest tickets and never sit down. They like circling the stadium, finding their favorite concessions, and seeing Sue the organist. How about discounting the standing room tickets for kids?

seriously, they just need to try something. 

This... this...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand......THIS!

[glunn]

Sometimes the children of a successful businessman turn out to be horrible at business.

Which of these is better:

10,000 fans with average revenue of $30 per fan, or 30,000 fans with average revenue of $12 per fan? And I'm putting no value on the potential value of children becoming long-term fans.

I would suggest a promotion where all seats in the expensive areas behind home plate and near the field are offered at 90% off for one night on a first come first serve basis, so that a lot more people can partake (at least once) in the splendor of sitting there. I hate seeing great seats go empty -- what a waste.

There are some good ideas in this thread, but the fact that we have to post here suggests that the current generation of Pohlads are not good at operating a baseball franchise.

 

[terrydactyls]

How about if the front office let the fans (a vote-in contest) for the first round pick?

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	57	90	0.388	-
2	Pittsburgh Pirates	64	83	0.435	7.0
3	Minnesota Twins	64	82	0.438	7.5
4	Atlanta Braves	65	81	0.445	8.5
5	Whatever Athletics	67	80	0.456	10.0
6	Miami Marlins	68	79	0.463	11.0
8	Los Angeles Angels	69	78	0.469	12.0
7	Baltimore Orioles	69	77	0.473	12.5
11	St. Louis Cardinals	72	75	0.490	15.0
10	Tampa Bay Rays	72	74	0.493	15.5
9	Arizona Diamondbacks	73	74	0.497	16.0
13	San Francisco Giants	74	72	0.507	17.5
12	Cleveland Guardians	75	71	0.514	18.5
14	Texas Rangers	77	70	0.524	20.0

[theBOMisthebomb]

There are some fine ideas here. Although, we are forgetting that winning gets rear ends in the seats. Plus, this market is notorious for being fair weather and front running fans. 

I push back on how expensive the Twins experience is. To go to the Spinal Tap II movie tonight it's $15 per ticket. The ticket costs are reasonable at the Twins games in comparison. 

For food, you can bring your own food. 

The value concession stands, family section, and dollar dog nights offer multiple affordable options with minimal effort. It isn't just 612 Saturdays that offer affordable food and drink at Target Field. 

Finally , parking can be had for $10 on LaSalle Avenue, a few minutes walk through the skyway to Target Field. The $25 in Ramps ABC is a bit pricey, that point is valid. However, there are affordable nearby parking options. 

Food information:

Value Menu Pricing

Item Sections/Portables Price

Hot Dog Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Soft Pretzel Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $4.49

Popcorn Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Peanuts Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.99

Fountain Soda Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.49

Bud/Bud Light Can Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $5.99

Bottle Aquafina Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Ice Cream Novelty Sections 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Dollar-A-Dog Days

Hot dogs are just $1 at Target Field during every Tuesday home game! Bring the family and enjoy a ballpark classic without breaking the bank

Kids Zone

Sunday Kids Days are presented by Target. As part of Sunday Kids Days, Target transforms the lawn inside Gate 34 to Bullseye Backyard (Memorial Day – Labor Day), kids 12 and younger can run the bases postgame, PLUS U.S. Bank Kids Meals are half off (reduced from $8 to $4)!

Tickets in the family section tonight are $26 after fees and that's for the ticket, hot dog, and soda. You can take your family of four to a Friday night game tonight for $104 plus $25 for parking in Ramps ABC for a total of $129. It seems reasonable for a night of entertainment for a major professional sports league, although I realize all budgets are different. 

[Killer Rod Tony]

13 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I think that idea has merit Lou.  Most of the seats are empty anyway so why not go that route.  An alternative option may be to give a fan a free ticket if they have attended say 5 games.  Both of these options would put fans in the seats and hopefully make game days more enjoyable.

People ownership is behind over 400 mil!! How do you buy players commanding 20 pkus mil a season then? Why do players in all sports require such monies? Because many team owners egos will give up money in their greed to win. I hate to win that way but rather win with good drafting and trades which Falvey has done poorly. This buy to win causes incredible money to see a game. I will no longer do it and over 90% of the fans can even go. 

[Woof Bronzer]

1 hour ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

There are some fine ideas here. Although, we are forgetting that winning gets rear ends in the seats. Plus, this market is notorious for being fair weather and front running fans. 

I push back on how expensive the Twins experience is. To go to the Spinal Tap II movie tonight it's $15 per ticket. The ticket costs are reasonable at the Twins games in comparison. 

For food, you can bring your own food. 

The value concession stands, family section, and dollar dog nights offer multiple affordable options with minimal effort. It isn't just 612 Saturdays that offer affordable food and drink at Target Field. 

Finally , parking can be had for $10 on LaSalle Avenue, a few minutes walk through the skyway to Target Field. The $25 in Ramps ABC is a bit pricey, that point is valid. However, there are affordable nearby parking options. 

Food information:

Value Menu Pricing

Item Sections/Portables Price

Hot Dog Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Soft Pretzel Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $4.49

Popcorn Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Peanuts Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.99

Fountain Soda Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.49

Bud/Bud Light Can Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $5.99

Bottle Aquafina Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Ice Cream Novelty Sections 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Dollar-A-Dog Days

Hot dogs are just $1 at Target Field during every Tuesday home game! Bring the family and enjoy a ballpark classic without breaking the bank

Kids Zone

Sunday Kids Days are presented by Target. As part of Sunday Kids Days, Target transforms the lawn inside Gate 34 to Bullseye Backyard (Memorial Day – Labor Day), kids 12 and younger can run the bases postgame, PLUS U.S. Bank Kids Meals are half off (reduced from $8 to $4)!

Tickets in the family section tonight are $26 after fees and that's for the ticket, hot dog, and soda. You can take your family of four to a Friday night game tonight for $104 plus $25 for parking in Ramps ABC for a total of $129. It seems reasonable for a night of entertainment for a major professional sports league, although I realize all budgets are different. 

You are literally copy pasting Twins marketing gobbledegook.  

[Blyleven2011]

Sell the team ....

Please sell the team ...

Forbes on valueing the team of 1.6 billion on last update will value the team less on next update ...

The organization has shot themselves in the foot ...

[jjswol]

4 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

How about if the front office let the fans (a vote-in contest) for the first round pick?

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	57	90	0.388	-
2	Pittsburgh Pirates	64	83	0.435	7.0
3	Minnesota Twins	64	82	0.438	7.5
4	Atlanta Braves	65	81	0.445	8.5
5	Whatever Athletics	67	80	0.456	10.0
6	Miami Marlins	68	79	0.463	11.0
8	Los Angeles Angels	69	78	0.469	12.0
7	Baltimore Orioles	69	77	0.473	12.5
11	St. Louis Cardinals	72	75	0.490	15.0
10	Tampa Bay Rays	72	74	0.493	15.5
9	Arizona Diamondbacks	73	74	0.497	16.0
13	San Francisco Giants	74	72	0.507	17.5
12	Cleveland Guardians	75	71	0.514	18.5
14	Texas Rangers	77	70	0.524	20.0

Bad idea I think, what do fans know about drafting. Many of us think we could do better at drafting but I doubt it. If you want proof, look at your fantasy baseball and football drafts from over the year with tons on data at your disposal. Did you draft the best team? Odds are you did not.

[terrydactyls]

4 minutes ago, jjswol said:

Bad idea I think, what do fans know about drafting. Many of us think we could do better at drafting but I doubt it. If you want proof, look at your fantasy baseball and football drafts from over the year with tons on data at your disposal. Did you draft the best team? Odds are you did not.

Just kidding!

[jjswol]

27 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Just kidding!

I know that, but I still thought it deserved a comment.

 

[Vanimal46]

11 hours ago, glunn said:

I would suggest a promotion where all seats in the expensive areas behind home plate and near the field are offered at 90% off for one night on a first come first serve basis, so that a lot more people can partake (at least once) in the splendor of sitting there. I hate seeing great seats go empty -- what a waste.

The empty seats behind home plate is a really bad look not just for the Twins, but MLB as a whole.

My idea is everyone that scans their ticket into the ballpark is automatically entered into a lottery. If those seats are vacant by the top of the 3rd, then the lottery begins. Winners of the lottery are automatically upgraded to the fancy seats. They can do that every single home game and create memories people will cherish! It’s a gesture that costs the Twins $0 to implement. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

6 hours ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

There are some fine ideas here. Although, we are forgetting that winning gets rear ends in the seats. Plus, this market is notorious for being fair weather and front running fans. 

I push back on how expensive the Twins experience is. To go to the Spinal Tap II movie tonight it's $15 per ticket. The ticket costs are reasonable at the Twins games in comparison. 

For food, you can bring your own food. 

The value concession stands, family section, and dollar dog nights offer multiple affordable options with minimal effort. It isn't just 612 Saturdays that offer affordable food and drink at Target Field. 

Finally , parking can be had for $10 on LaSalle Avenue, a few minutes walk through the skyway to Target Field. The $25 in Ramps ABC is a bit pricey, that point is valid. However, there are affordable nearby parking options. 

Food information:

Value Menu Pricing

Item Sections/Portables Price

Hot Dog Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Soft Pretzel Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $4.49

Popcorn Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Peanuts Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.99

Fountain Soda Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $2.49

Bud/Bud Light Can Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $5.99

Bottle Aquafina Sections: 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.99

Ice Cream Novelty Sections 120, 133, 311, 323 $3.49

Dollar-A-Dog Days

Hot dogs are just $1 at Target Field during every Tuesday home game! Bring the family and enjoy a ballpark classic without breaking the bank

Kids Zone

Sunday Kids Days are presented by Target. As part of Sunday Kids Days, Target transforms the lawn inside Gate 34 to Bullseye Backyard (Memorial Day – Labor Day), kids 12 and younger can run the bases postgame, PLUS U.S. Bank Kids Meals are half off (reduced from $8 to $4)!

Tickets in the family section tonight are $26 after fees and that's for the ticket, hot dog, and soda. You can take your family of four to a Friday night game tonight for $104 plus $25 for parking in Ramps ABC for a total of $129. It seems reasonable for a night of entertainment for a major professional sports league, although I realize all budgets are different. 

It’s more nuanced than cost. Yes, cost is a part of it.

the movie industry has been catering to children’s taste and cultivating child cinema fans through adolescence and into adulthood since the early days of “talkies”. Theatres today with all the streaming options and such, still develop their audience and grow their business.

Have you been to Knothole Sunday’s where kids run the bases this season? There are more Ronaldo Jerseys on kids backs than there are Twins Jerseys in the whole ballpark.

[jmlease1]

7 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

You are literally copy pasting Twins marketing gobbledegook.  

It's actually a further indictment of how bad the Twins are at marketing their own product if there are all of these ways of making it affordable for families to go see the Twins, and don't actually do it.

Of course of the reasons is probably that these options are complicated and/or inconvenient, which makes them designed not to actually put butts in seats but chisel more money out of casual fans who end up paying for convenience and walk away after they see their actual total bill cranky and uninterested in coming back.

I totally agree that the Twins need to become more consumer-centric in how they approach the fan experience. Less marketing double-speak. Better and clearer communication. Actual interest in having fans in the stands over banking revenue from tickets sold before the season starts. Ensuring that it's easy for fans to watch the games when they can't go.

Ownership has bungled things badly in their operation of the team in public and less-public ways, and their rare public statement have been tone-deaf and clueless. How about showing some fan appreciate by being honest with fans about some of the mistakes (like how they botched it with their streaming rights and fumbled around with their broadcast rights?) and showing a little contrition? It may be unsavable at this point, but some humility over arrogance is a place to start.

[Woof Bronzer]

31 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

It's actually a further indictment of how bad the Twins are at marketing their own product if there are all of these ways of making it affordable for families to go see the Twins, and don't actually do it.

Of course of the reasons is probably that these options are complicated and/or inconvenient, which makes them designed not to actually put butts in seats but chisel more money out of casual fans who end up paying for convenience and walk away after they see their actual total bill cranky and uninterested in coming back.

I totally agree that the Twins need to become more consumer-centric in how they approach the fan experience. Less marketing double-speak. Better and clearer communication. Actual interest in having fans in the stands over banking revenue from tickets sold before the season starts. Ensuring that it's easy for fans to watch the games when they can't go.

Ownership has bungled things badly in their operation of the team in public and less-public ways, and their rare public statement have been tone-deaf and clueless. How about showing some fan appreciate by being honest with fans about some of the mistakes (like how they botched it with their streaming rights and fumbled around with their broadcast rights?) and showing a little contrition? It may be unsavable at this point, but some humility over arrogance is a place to start.

The folks in this comment section have come up with simple, thoughtful, smart ideas off the top of their heads that are better than anything we've seen from the Pohlads in years.  As an organization you almost have to want to be this bad at PR.  

In all seriousness the Twins should hire some of the folks here.  Passionate fans would make for productive employees.  

[old nurse]

Maybe the Twins need to become like the Bananas.  People go to a vaudeville sow and a baseball game breaks out. 

Cheap seats, cheap beer, cheap food just brigs out cheap people. That would be fine if the same people were happy with a cheap product on the field. 

[ashbury]

6 hours ago, old nurse said:

People go to a vaudeville sow 

That's what they have in St. Paul