Scott Povolny

Hello again, everybody. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, don't feel left out; it's never too late to sync up with our touring outfit and join the excitement this summer. In a nutshell, we package weekend trips to follow the Minnesota Twins on the road, with game tickets, hotel, and premium bus transportation. For more information, you can head over to http://territorytrain.com. For veterans of TwinsTrain, read on. The little road trip business you’ve known and continue to love is roaring back for more this 2012 season — and we certainly hope the Minnesota Twins, after such a difficult season, are ready for the action as well. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] The hometown team has made some significant changes this offseason, and TwinsTrain is no different. This winter, the Train decided to expand its range of destinations to the minor league circuit, adding a weekend celebration of the Twins low-A minor league affiliate Beloit Snappers. But perhaps our biggest change will take place over the next few days: as of Friday March 2, 2012, we will no longer be TwinsTrain. We will be Territory Train. The timing of this name change may strike you as curious. So, let us give you a rundown of how we arrived at this point. As it was, two weeks ago, we received a letter from the Major League Baseball legal department asking us to discontinue the TwinsTrain name for fear of trademark affiliation with our favorite team. I’ll tell you this much: the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I read their detailed request. Because you know what? We’re on Major League Baseball’s radar. We’ve arrived, folks. Territory Train will be about everything you knew about TwinsTrain. Fanaticism. Enthusiasm. Celebration. Bus Driver Ed. Great seats. Comfy lodging accommodations. And wonderful stories that will last many generations of Minnesota Twins baseball. But, yes, everything will continue to be the same as you’ve known it before. We will continue to dedicate our collective enthusiasm to make every stadium our territory as we continue with our new name. And there’s no better place for it than Territory Train. Please adjust your Facebook, as we will no longer be found at http://www.facebook.com/twinstrain. All of our social coverage can be found on both Twitter (@TerritoryTrain) and the new Facebook page. Our new home, if you haven’t already found it, will be http://www.territorytrain.com. We also plan on logging some of our adventures on the Twins Daily site as we go along here, as well. So stay tuned. Thank you so much for your patience during our time of reconstruction and rebuilding. Your conductor, Scott Povolny | Territory Train Owner PS -- We like to give away stuff to our fans, so 'like' us over at our new Facebook site, where we will be having a drawing for both a $100 and $200 Territory Train gift card once we arrive at 250 fans and 300 fans respectively. Tell your friends. Tell your mother. And for goodness sakes, send Scott Stahoviak a text. Download attachment: tt_bus.png Click here to view the article

After a 99-loss season, it's nearly impossible to be a fanatic of the Twins organization and not look at the minor league system, and think "they have help on the way, right? ... Right?!" Don't worry, they do, and we're here to help you get to know them. That's right. The ultimate road warrior's guide to Twins baseball on the road, Territory Train, has its sights set on entering the Minor League circuit this summer [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] But first, what is Territory Train? For those familiar with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, Territory Train has all the same features with all the same smiling faces. We simply changed the name. For those who aren't familiar with our work over the last couple of years, we suggest taking a spin around our newly designed website. In a nutshell, we follow the Minnesota Twins when they hit the road, putting together trip packages including coach bus transportation, hotel, and game tickets. This year, we've kept the recipe the same, but are adding one team to the mix: the Beloit Snappers. http://oddowlconsulting.com/train/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Beloit-Edit.jpg Our trip, departing Friday, June 1, will take a premium motorcoach full of Twins fans (you) to follow the Beloit Snappers on a short midwestern tour, spanning across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Snappers -- the low-A Minor League affiliate of the Twins -- will play both the Quad Cities River Bandits (in Davenport, IA) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (at home in Beloit, Wisconsin). So why should you care about a Minor League trip? A lot of reasons. But the players involved surely will be the spotlight of this weekend adventure. So, let's spotlight three Snapper prospects expected to be on the roster, come June 1. Miguel Sano: Sano is the gem of the Twins farm system and built to be a game-changer through and through. The Twins signed the Dominican prospect at the youthful age of 16 in 2009. But you wouldn't know he's that young upon seeing his 6'-3", 240-lb frame in person. [Editors note: When you're at a Minor League ballpark, there are so many more opportunities to see just how impressive and athletic these phenoms are. First of all, the seats at these modest ballparks are stationed much closer to the field of play than a MLB stadium. But more importantly, you have far fewer fans to compete with for autographs, pictures, good seating etc.] Ranked at #28 on the top-100 list of prospects at ESPN.com, Sano has exceptional power -- the kind of power that spacious Target Field won't be able to contain. Eddie Rosario: Rosario's start-up is a little bit different from Sano's, but the numbers so far are fairly identical for these two powerhouses. Rosario, currently a center fielder, is a left-handed source of home-run power. His swing is unique; almost as though his legs and hips are trying to lunge forward toward the pitcher's mound in concert with his swift upper body. Orthodox or not, this swing gets results, leading the Appalachian League in HRs (with Sano just one HR behind) in 2011. Rosario is rumored to see some action at second base, as the Twins are doing their best to help strengthen their middle infield throughout the system. At just 20 years old, he, like Sano, has a very bright future ahead of him, coming in at #50 on the ESPN top prospects list. AJ Pettersen: Pettersen's a great player to keep an eye on for many reasons. As a Minnetonka-born and raised athlete and University of Minnesota graduate, this middle infielder has a special place in many Minnesotans' hearts. His stature isn't exactly what you would call comparative to a guy like Sano -- Pettersen comes in around 5'-9", 170 lbs -- but he brings an unmatched energy and grit to the lineup everyday of the week. His strengths on the field project somewhat unclearly for the future, as the organization is looking to get him familiar with more than just a shortstop's mitt (his natural position). Pettersen is an exceptionally nice guy and somebody you can get excited about supporting. It's an overused phrase for this organization over the last several years, but the kid plays the game the right way. I think a lot of Twins Daily readers will get a great sampling of the kind of player and person he is with his posts on this site throughout the year. *** Territory Train plans to get you involved and keep you entertained every other moment these guys aren't center-stage. Like any other trip we've hosted over the last two years, ballpark food and refreshments are a big part of the weekend presentation. On Saturday evening in Beloit, we will have admission to Pohlman Field's Hog Heaven, an all-you-can-eat/drink area on a porch just beyond the right field fence. The deck provides brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and peanuts. Beverages include: canned Pepsi products, Miller Lite, and Miller High Life. Combined with the ballpark cuisine and the phenomenal skills displayed on the diamond, we pride ourselves on hosting guests who make great company. With this trifecta of public travel, we aspire to make each out-of-state experience an authentic slice of Twins territory. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429369_252625174821038_247829345300621_560768_1634961719_n.jpg So join the team, and support the Twins organization this summer from top to bottom -- from Target Field to Pohlman Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. We also offer trips to Milwaukee (May) and Kansas City (July). Take a look through the trip itineraries for seating photos and detailed accounts for the plans set forth for each weekend. Click here to view the article

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3701[/ATTACH] So when does the good part happen? There may be fans who have lost their faith in the Minnesota Twins over the last two seasons. But, as many of the Twins Daily contributors have pointed out over the last several months, there's plenty sunshine that's just over the horizon for this organization. While it may be a couple years before you can witness that selection of talent at Target Field, the prospect horizon line is physically closer than you think. Like, Iowa-close. I'm talkin' about a little place called Cedar Rapids. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3702[/ATTACH] If you didn't catch all of the organizational transactions and rotations you may have missed it, but the Twins switched their low-A ball affiliation from the Beloit Snappers to the Cedar Rapids Kernels franchise this past winter. Personally, I'm quick to support the Minnesota Twins of today, but the future that Cedar Rapids and the rest of the farm system beholds is just as sweet, if not sweeter. Considering the last couple of drafts and recent prospect-laden trades, the Twins front office has been quick to refill the organization with widely acclaimed young talent. Knowing how much of the talent is being groomed in Cedar Rapids -- a mere 4 hours south of the Twin Cities -- many of you are looking for the perfect weekend to make a special visit with the club. Look no further. The Territory Train has got ya covered this summer with an exclusive opportunity to experience Kernel baseball Saturday June 29th & Sunday June 30th. If you're not familiar with the Train, hop on over to our website and take a virtual tour of our minor league weekend tours. We combine coach bus transportation, game tickets, hotel lodging, and pre-game parties, all for one reasonable price. This trip is a unique opportunity in that we will be dining with several Kernel players, and hitting coach (and former-Twin) Tommy Watkins for lunch on Saturday afternoon. A full itinerary of the trip can be found here. But here's why you're really joining us in late June: * Because you know your way around a stadium buffet. Sunday's pre-game party is all-you-can eat hot dogs, burgers, pop, & beer (and more). [ATTACH=CONFIG]3703[/ATTACH] Tommy Watkins & Seth Stohs, lunching. * Because Tommy Watkins & selecet Kernel players want to eat lunch with you Saturday afternoon. Take a big bite out of your burger; ask Tommy the best way to break out of a slump. * Because you want to add another stadium tour to your list. We'll get a guided look at the ins and outs of Perfect Game Field by an expert on Saturday after lunch. * Because you've always wanted to spend a weekend vacation with the charismatic, elite prospect-minded, SETH STOHS. * Because Byron Buxton. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3704[/ATTACH] The venerable and quick witted Kernel, Tim Shibuya. * Because the players at our luncheon are exceptionally affable and candid, and love talking about baseball just as much as you do. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3705[/ATTACH] * Because it's much easier to get closer to the action in the minors. The crack of the bat echoes just a bit differently. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3706[/ATTACH] * Because the commute is simple: we do the driving; you bring the cooler full of all your favorite cold ones and relax. We got this. We take all the heavy lifting out of the weekend itinerary and let you and your party enjoy the weekend's unique events without any worries. As mentioned, Seth will be joining us, who many of you have had the opportunity of meeting. But each and every trip we've guided is full of folks just like Seth -- it's a highly positive, social community aboard the Train. So join the squad, and show your support for the organization this summer from top to bottom; Perfect Game Field to Target Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. http://territorytrain.com

After a 99-loss season, it's nearly impossible to be a fanatic of the Twins organization and not look at the minor league system, and think "they have help on the way, right? ... Right?!" Don't worry; they do. And the ultimate road warrior's guide to Twins baseball on the road, Territory Train, is going to get a great sample of the future of the franchise this summer. So what is Territory Train? For those familiar with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, Territory Train has all the same features with all the same smiling faces. For those who aren't familiar with our work over the last couple of years, I suggest taking a spin around our newly designed website. In a nutshell we follow the Minnesota Twins when they hit the road, putting together trip packages including coach bus transportation, hotel, and game tickets. This year, we've kept the recipe the same, but are adding one team to the mix: the Beloit Snappers. http://oddowlconsulting.com/train/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Beloit-Edit.jpg Our trip, departing Friday, June 1 will take a premium motorcoach full of Twins fans (you) to follow the Beloit Snappers on a short Midwestern tour, spanning across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Snappers -- the low-A minor league affiliate of the Twins -- will play both the Quad Cities River Bandits (in Davenport, IA) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (at home in Beloit, Wisconsin). So why should you care about a minor league trip? A lot of reasons. But the players involved surely will be the spotlight of this weekend adventure. Let's spotlight three players expected to be on the Snapper roster, come June 1. Miguel Sano: This guy is built to be a game-changer, through and through. The Twins signed this Dominican at the youthful age of 16 in 2009. But you wouldn't know he's that young seeing his 6'-3", 240-lb frame in person. [Editors note: When you're at a minor league ballpark, there are so many more opportunities to see just how impressive and athletic these phenoms are. First of all, the seats at these modest ballparks are stationed much closer to the field of play. But more importantly, you have far fewer fans to compete with for autographs, pictures, good seating etc.] Ranked at #28 on the top-100 list of prospects at ESPN.com, the Sano has power. Serious power. The kind of power that even Target Field won't be able to contain. His arm strength cannot be contained by most ball parks, either. He's got a million dollar smile. The guy is simply slated for greatness once he steps up to the plate in Minneapolis. You won't want to miss seeing this phenom before he explodes into stardom. Eddie Rosario: Eddie's start-up is a little bit different from Miguel's, but the numbers so far are fairly identical for these powerhouses. Rosario, currently a center-fielder, is a left-handed source of serious home-run power. His swing is unique; almost as though his legs are trying to lunge toward the baseball. Orthodox or not, this swing gets results, leading the Appalachian League in HRs (with Sano just one HR behind). Rosario is rumored to see some action at second base, as the Twins are doing their best to help strengthen their middle infield throughout the farm. At just 20 years old, he, like Sano, has a very bright future ahead of him, coming in at #50 on the ESPN top prospects list. AJ Pettersen: AJ's a great player to keep an eye on for a lot of reasons. As a Minnetonka-born and raised athlete and University of Minnesota graduate, he has a special place in our hearts. His stature isn't exactly what you would call comparative to a guy like Sano -- Pettersen comes in around 5'-9", 170 lbs -- but he brings energy and grit to the lineup everyday of the week. His strengths on the field project somewhat unclearly for the future, as the organization is looking to get him familiar with more than just a shortstop's mitt (as he was drafted). A sincerely nice guy, Pettersen's exactly the kind of player you want to pull for. It's an overused phrase for this organization over the last several years, but the kid plays the game the right way. I think a lot of Twins Daily readers will get a great sampling of the kind of player and person he is with his posts on this site throughout the year. *** Territory Train plans to get you involved and entertained every other moment these guys aren't center-stage of this mission. And food/refreshments are a big part of the weekend package. On Saturday evening in Beloit, we will have admission to Pohlman Field's Hog Heaven, an all-you-can-eat/drink area on a porch just beyond the right field fence. The deck provides brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and peanuts. Beverages include: canned Pepsi products, Miller Lite, and Miller High Life. The company you meet along the way are the exact kind of fans you want to surround yourself with, as well, making each out-of-state experience a true slice of Twins territory. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429369_252625174821038_247829345300621_560768_1634961719_n.jpg So join the team, and support the organization this summer from top to bottom -- Target Field to Pohlman Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. We also offer trips to Milwaukee (May) and Kansas City (July). Take a look through the trip itineraries for seating photos and detailed accounts for the plans each weekend.

After a 99-loss season, it's nearly impossible to be a fanatic of the Twins organization and not look at the minor league system, and think "they have help on the way, right? ... Right?!" Don't worry; they do. And the ultimate road warrior's guide to Twins baseball on the road, Territory Train, is going to get a great sample of the future of the franchise this summer. So what is Territory Train? For those familiar with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, Territory Train has all the same features with all the same smiling faces. For those who aren't familiar with our work over the last couple of years, I suggest taking a spin around our newly designed website. In a nutshell we follow the Minnesota Twins when they hit the road, putting together trip packages including coach bus transportation, hotel, and game tickets. This year, we've kept the recipe the same, but are adding one team to the mix: the Beloit Snappers. http://oddowlconsulting.com/train/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Beloit-Edit.jpg Our trip, departing Friday, June 1 will take a premium motorcoach full of Twins fans (you) to follow the Beloit Snappers on a short Midwestern tour, spanning across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Snappers -- the low-A minor league affiliate of the Twins -- will play both the Quad Cities River Bandits (in Davenport, IA) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (at home in Beloit, Wisconsin). So why should you care about a minor league trip? A lot of reasons. But the players involved surely will be the spotlight of this weekend adventure. Let's spotlight three players expected to be on the Snapper roster, come June 1. Miguel Sano: This guy is built to be a game-changer, through and through. The Twins signed this Dominican at the youthful age of 16 in 2009. But you wouldn't know he's that young seeing his 6'-3", 240-lb frame in person. [Editors note: When you're at a minor league ballpark, there are so many more opportunities to see just how impressive and athletic these phenoms are. First of all, the seats at these modest ballparks are stationed much closer to the field of play. But more importantly, you have far fewer fans to compete with for autographs, pictures, good seating etc.] Ranked at #28 on the top-100 list of prospects at ESPN.com, the Sano has power. Serious power. The kind of power that even Target Field won't be able to contain. His arm strength cannot be contained by most ball parks, either. He's got a million dollar smile. The guy is simply slated for greatness once he steps up to the plate in Minneapolis. You won't want to miss seeing this phenom before he explodes into stardom. Eddie Rosario: Eddie's start-up is a little bit different from Miguel's, but the numbers so far are fairly identical for these powerhouses. Rosario, currently a center-fielder, is a left-handed source of serious home-run power. His swing is unique; almost as though his legs are trying to lunge toward the baseball. Orthodox or not, this swing gets results, leading the Appalachian League in HRs (with Sano just one HR behind). Rosario is rumored to see some action at second base, as the Twins are doing their best to help strengthen their middle infield throughout the farm. At just 20 years old, he, like Sano, has a very bright future ahead of him, coming in at #50 on the ESPN top prospects list. AJ Pettersen: AJ's a great player to keep an eye on for a lot of reasons. As a Minnetonka-born and raised athlete and University of Minnesota graduate, he has a special place in our hearts. His stature isn't exactly what you would call comparative to a guy like Sano -- Pettersen comes in around 5'-9", 170 lbs -- but he brings energy and grit to the lineup everyday of the week. His strengths on the field project somewhat unclearly for the future, as the organization is looking to get him familiar with more than just a shortstop's mitt (as he was drafted). A sincerely nice guy, Pettersen's exactly the kind of player you want to pull for. It's an overused phrase for this organization over the last several years, but the kid plays the game the right way. I think a lot of Twins Daily readers will get a great sampling of the kind of player and person he is with his posts on this site throughout the year. *** Territory Train plans to get you involved and entertained every other moment these guys aren't center-stage of this mission. And food/refreshments are a big part of the weekend package. On Saturday evening in Beloit, we will have admission to Pohlman Field's Hog Heaven, an all-you-can-eat/drink area on a porch just beyond the right field fence. The deck provides brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and peanuts. Beverages include: canned Pepsi products, Miller Lite, and Miller High Life. The company you meet along the way are the exact kind of fans you want to surround yourself with, as well, making each out-of-state experience a true slice of Twins territory. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429369_252625174821038_247829345300621_560768_1634961719_n.jpg So join the team, and support the organization this summer from top to bottom -- Target Field to Pohlman Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. We also offer trips to Milwaukee (May) and Kansas City (July). Take a look through the trip itineraries for seating photos and detailed accounts for the plans each weekend.

After a 99-loss season, it's nearly impossible to be a fanatic of the Twins organization and not look at the minor league system, and think "they have help on the way, right? ... Right?!" Don't worry; they do. And the ultimate road warrior's guide to Twins baseball on the road, Territory Train, is going to get a great sample of the future of the franchise this summer. So what is Territory Train? For those familiar with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, Territory Train has all the same features with all the same smiling faces. For those who aren't familiar with our work over the last couple of years, I suggest taking a spin around our newly designed website. In a nutshell we follow the Minnesota Twins when they hit the road, putting together trip packages including coach bus transportation, hotel, and game tickets. This year, we've kept the recipe the same, but are adding one team to the mix: the Beloit Snappers. http://oddowlconsulting.com/train/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Beloit-Edit.jpg Our trip, departing Friday, June 1 will take a premium motorcoach full of Twins fans (you) to follow the Beloit Snappers on a short Midwestern tour, spanning across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Snappers -- the low-A minor league affiliate of the Twins -- will play both the Quad Cities River Bandits (in Davenport, IA) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (at home in Beloit, Wisconsin). So why should you care about a minor league trip? A lot of reasons. But the players involved surely will be the spotlight of this weekend adventure. Let's spotlight three players expected to be on the Snapper roster, come June 1. Miguel Sano: This guy is built to be a game-changer, through and through. The Twins signed this Dominican at the youthful age of 16 in 2009. But you wouldn't know he's that young seeing his 6'-3", 240-lb frame in person. [Editors note: When you're at a minor league ballpark, there are so many more opportunities to see just how impressive and athletic these phenoms are. First of all, the seats at these modest ballparks are stationed much closer to the field of play. But more importantly, you have far fewer fans to compete with for autographs, pictures, good seating etc.] Ranked at #28 on the top-100 list of prospects at ESPN.com, the Sano has power. Serious power. The kind of power that even Target Field won't be able to contain. His arm strength cannot be contained by most ball parks, either. He's got a million dollar smile. The guy is simply slated for greatness once he steps up to the plate in Minneapolis. You won't want to miss seeing this phenom before he explodes into stardom. Eddie Rosario: Eddie's start-up is a little bit different from Miguel's, but the numbers so far are fairly identical for these powerhouses. Rosario, currently a center-fielder, is a left-handed source of serious home-run power. His swing is unique; almost as though his legs are trying to lunge toward the baseball. Orthodox or not, this swing gets results, leading the Appalachian League in HRs (with Sano just one HR behind). Rosario is rumored to see some action at second base, as the Twins are doing their best to help strengthen their middle infield throughout the farm. At just 20 years old, he, like Sano, has a very bright future ahead of him, coming in at #50 on the ESPN top prospects list. AJ Pettersen: AJ's a great player to keep an eye on for a lot of reasons. As a Minnetonka-born and raised athlete and University of Minnesota graduate, he has a special place in our hearts. His stature isn't exactly what you would call comparative to a guy like Sano -- Pettersen comes in around 5'-9", 170 lbs -- but he brings energy and grit to the lineup everyday of the week. His strengths on the field project somewhat unclearly for the future, as the organization is looking to get him familiar with more than just a shortstop's mitt (as he was drafted). A sincerely nice guy, Pettersen's exactly the kind of player you want to pull for. It's an overused phrase for this organization over the last several years, but the kid plays the game the right way. I think a lot of Twins Daily readers will get a great sampling of the kind of player and person he is with his posts on this site throughout the year. *** Territory Train plans to get you involved and entertained every other moment these guys aren't center-stage of this mission. And food/refreshments are a big part of the weekend package. On Saturday evening in Beloit, we will have admission to Pohlman Field's Hog Heaven, an all-you-can-eat/drink area on a porch just beyond the right field fence. The deck provides brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and peanuts. Beverages include: canned Pepsi products, Miller Lite, and Miller High Life. The company you meet along the way are the exact kind of fans you want to surround yourself with, as well, making each out-of-state experience a true slice of Twins territory. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429369_252625174821038_247829345300621_560768_1634961719_n.jpg So join the team, and support the organization this summer from top to bottom -- Target Field to Pohlman Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. We also offer trips to Milwaukee (May) and Kansas City (July). Take a look through the trip itineraries for seating photos and detailed accounts for the plans each weekend.

After a 99-loss season, it's nearly impossible to be a fanatic of the Twins organization and not look at the minor league system, and think "they have help on the way, right? ... Right?!" Don't worry; they do. And the ultimate road warrior's guide to Twins baseball on the road, Territory Train, is going to get a great sample of the future of the franchise this summer. So what is Territory Train? For those familiar with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, Territory Train has all the same features with all the same smiling faces. For those who aren't familiar with our work over the last couple of years, I suggest taking a spin around our newly designed website. In a nutshell we follow the Minnesota Twins when they hit the road, putting together trip packages including coach bus transportation, hotel, and game tickets. This year, we've kept the recipe the same, but are adding one team to the mix: the Beloit Snappers. http://oddowlconsulting.com/train/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Beloit-Edit.jpg Our trip, departing Friday, June 1 will take a premium motorcoach full of Twins fans (you) to follow the Beloit Snappers on a short Midwestern tour, spanning across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Snappers -- the low-A minor league affiliate of the Twins -- will play both the Quad Cities River Bandits (in Davenport, IA) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (at home in Beloit, Wisconsin). So why should you care about a minor league trip? A lot of reasons. But the players involved surely will be the spotlight of this weekend adventure. Let's spotlight three players expected to be on the Snapper roster, come June 1. Miguel Sano: This guy is built to be a game-changer, through and through. The Twins signed this Dominican at the youthful age of 16 in 2009. But you wouldn't know he's that young seeing his 6'-3", 240-lb frame in person. [Editors note: When you're at a minor league ballpark, there are so many more opportunities to see just how impressive and athletic these phenoms are. First of all, the seats at these modest ballparks are stationed much closer to the field of play. But more importantly, you have far fewer fans to compete with for autographs, pictures, good seating etc.] Ranked at #28 on the top-100 list of prospects at ESPN.com, the Sano has power. Serious power. The kind of power that even Target Field won't be able to contain. His arm strength cannot be contained by most ball parks, either. He's got a million dollar smile. The guy is simply slated for greatness once he steps up to the plate in Minneapolis. You won't want to miss seeing this phenom before he explodes into stardom. Eddie Rosario: Eddie's start-up is a little bit different from Miguel's, but the numbers so far are fairly identical for these powerhouses. Rosario, currently a center-fielder, is a left-handed source of serious home-run power. His swing is unique; almost as though his legs are trying to lunge toward the baseball. Orthodox or not, this swing gets results, leading the Appalachian League in HRs (with Sano just one HR behind). Rosario is rumored to see some action at second base, as the Twins are doing their best to help strengthen their middle infield throughout the farm. At just 20 years old, he, like Sano, has a very bright future ahead of him, coming in at #50 on the ESPN top prospects list. AJ Pettersen: AJ's a great player to keep an eye on for a lot of reasons. As a Minnetonka-born and raised athlete and University of Minnesota graduate, he has a special place in our hearts. His stature isn't exactly what you would call comparative to a guy like Sano -- Pettersen comes in around 5'-9", 170 lbs -- but he brings energy and grit to the lineup everyday of the week. His strengths on the field project somewhat unclearly for the future, as the organization is looking to get him familiar with more than just a shortstop's mitt (as he was drafted). A sincerely nice guy, Pettersen's exactly the kind of player you want to pull for. It's an overused phrase for this organization over the last several years, but the kid plays the game the right way. I think a lot of Twins Daily readers will get a great sampling of the kind of player and person he is with his posts on this site throughout the year. *** Territory Train plans to get you involved and entertained every other moment these guys aren't center-stage of this mission. And food/refreshments are a big part of the weekend package. On Saturday evening in Beloit, we will have admission to Pohlman Field's Hog Heaven, an all-you-can-eat/drink area on a porch just beyond the right field fence. The deck provides brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and peanuts. Beverages include: canned Pepsi products, Miller Lite, and Miller High Life. The company you meet along the way are the exact kind of fans you want to surround yourself with, as well, making each out-of-state experience a true slice of Twins territory. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429369_252625174821038_247829345300621_560768_1634961719_n.jpg So join the team, and support the organization this summer from top to bottom -- Target Field to Pohlman Field. Territory Train makes it easy and enjoyable. We also offer trips to Milwaukee (May) and Kansas City (July). Take a look through the trip itineraries for seating photos and detailed accounts for the plans each weekend.

Hello again, everybody. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, don't feel left out; it's never too late to sync up with our touring outfit and join the excitement this summer. In a nutshell, we package weekend trips to follow the Minnesota Twins on the road, with game tickets, hotel, and premium bus transportation. For more information, you can head over to http://territorytrain.com. For veterans of TwinsTrain, read on. The little road trip business you’ve known and continue to love is roaring back for more this 2012 season — and we certainly hope the Minnesota Twins, after such a difficult season, are ready for the action as well. The hometown team has made some significant changes this offseason, and TwinsTrain is no different. This winter, the Train decided to expand its range of destinations to the minor league circuit, adding a weekend celebration of the Twins low-A minor league affiliate Beloit Snappers. But perhaps our biggest change will take place over the next few days: as of Friday March 2, 2012, we will no longer be TwinsTrain. We will be Territory Train. The timing of this name change may strike you as curious. So, let us give you a rundown of how we arrived at this point. As it was, two weeks ago, we received a letter from the Major League Baseball legal department asking us to discontinue the TwinsTrain name for fear of trademark affiliation with our favorite team. I’ll tell you this much: the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I read their detailed request. Because you know what? We’re on Major League Baseball’s radar. We’ve arrived, folks. Territory Train will be about everything you knew about TwinsTrain. Fanaticism. Enthusiasm. Celebration. Bus Driver Ed. Great seats. Comfy lodging accommodations. And wonderful stories that will last many generations of Minnesota Twins baseball. But, yes, everything will continue to be the same as you’ve known it before. We will continue to dedicate our collective enthusiasm to make every stadium our territory as we continue with our new name. And there’s no better place for it than Territory Train. Please adjust your Facebook, as we will no longer be found at http://www.facebook.com/twinstrain. All of our social coverage can be found on both Twitter (@TerritoryTrain) and the new Facebook page. Our new home, if you haven’t already found it, will be http://www.territorytrain.com. We also plan on logging some of our adventures on the Twins Daily site as we go along here, as well. So stay tuned. Thank you so much for your patience during our time of reconstruction and rebuilding. Your conductor, Scott Povolny | Territory Train Owner PS -- We like to give away stuff to our fans, so 'like' us over at our new Facebook site, where we will be having a drawing for both a $100 and $200 Territory Train gift card once we arrive at 250 fans and 300 fans respectively. Tell your friends. Tell your mother. And for goodness sakes, send Scott Stahoviak a text.

Hello again, everybody. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the TwinsTrain operation over the last couple of years, don't feel left out; it's never too late to sync up with our touring outfit and join the excitement this summer. In a nutshell, we package weekend trips to follow the Minnesota Twins on the road, with game tickets, hotel, and premium bus transportation. For more information, you can head over to http://territorytrain.com. For veterans of TwinsTrain, read on. The little road trip business you’ve known and continue to love is roaring back for more this 2012 season — and we certainly hope the Minnesota Twins, after such a difficult season, are ready for the action as well. The hometown team has made some significant changes this offseason, and TwinsTrain is no different. This winter, the Train decided to expand its range of destinations to the minor league circuit, adding a weekend celebration of the Twins low-A minor league affiliate Beloit Snappers. But perhaps our biggest change will take place over the next few days: as of Friday March 2, 2012, we will no longer be TwinsTrain. We will be Territory Train. The timing of this name change may strike you as curious. So, let us give you a rundown of how we arrived at this point. As it was, two weeks ago, we received a letter from the Major League Baseball legal department asking us to discontinue the TwinsTrain name for fear of trademark affiliation with our favorite team. I’ll tell you this much: the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I read their detailed request. Because you know what? We’re on Major League Baseball’s radar. We’ve arrived, folks. Territory Train will be about everything you knew about TwinsTrain. Fanaticism. Enthusiasm. Celebration. Bus Driver Ed. Great seats. Comfy lodging accommodations. And wonderful stories that will last many generations of Minnesota Twins baseball. But, yes, everything will continue to be the same as you’ve known it before. We will continue to dedicate our collective enthusiasm to make every stadium our territory as we continue with our new name. And there’s no better place for it than Territory Train. Please adjust your Facebook, as we will no longer be found at http://www.facebook.com/twinstrain. All of our social coverage can be found on both Twitter (@TerritoryTrain) and the new Facebook page. Our new home, if you haven’t already found it, will be http://www.territorytrain.com. We also plan on logging some of our adventures on the Twins Daily site as we go along here, as well. So stay tuned. Thank you so much for your patience during our time of reconstruction and rebuilding. Your conductor, Scott Povolny | Territory Train Owner PS -- We like to give away stuff to our fans, so 'like' us over at our new Facebook site, where we will be having a drawing for both a $100 and $200 Territory Train gift card once we arrive at 250 fans and 300 fans respectively. Tell your friends. Tell your mother. And for goodness sakes, send Scott Stahoviak a text.