The first event at Target Field -- the Gophers baseball game last Saturday against Louisiana Tech -- was similar to a pitcher making his first outing of spring training. The fastball was thrown over the plate, and now the rest of the repertoire can be worked on.
New ballpark needs spring training, too
Target Field will be put through its paces for the first time in an exclusively baseball setting this weekend.
April 2, 2010 at 11:32AM
That's the approach the Twins will take Friday and Saturday when the St. Louis Cardinals come to town for two exhibition games at Target Field. Because the Twins open the regular season with a seven-game road trip beginning Monday against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., this weekend's exhibitions will complete a spring training of sorts for the new ballpark. Target Field makes its grand debut April 12 when the Twins play host to the Boston Red Sox.
"This weekend will be a much more real test of a typical baseball game experience," Twins President Dave St. Peter said.
The Twins viewed the Gophers contest as a baseball game being played during an open house. Not all the Minnesota-centric concession fare was available. The game presentation was scaled back. It was a soft opening, with the emphasis on "soft."
The Twins anticipate a slightly different atmosphere this weekend because of the arrival of the team -- and a better chance to test the ballpark's operations.
That could include how the park, and everyone in it, deals with rain.
Rain in the forecast for Friday and Saturday could take the "dry" out of the dry run. Fans might find out how many upper-level seats are covered by the canopy and how many people can fit in Target Field's spacious concourses.
St. Peter said the Twins had a list of 62 items to discuss following the Gophers game. Aside from some problems with signage and long waits at some concession lines, nothing alarming happened during the first event. He said the Twins will add more signs and solve the concession problem and move on to a bigger event this weekend.
"Every seat is reserved," St. Peter said. "All the suites will be ready. There are higher expectations. It's another test, and we think we will be ready for it."
Gerrit Cole gave up his opt-out right on Monday and will remain with the New York Yankees under a contract that runs through 2028 rather than become a free agent.
