Note: The author of today's post is Dan Smith, an English teacher and life-long Twins fan from Marshall, Minn. Section 219 is operating largely on guest posts this week and next. If you would like to submit one, send it here.
Sounds of the game: Better at Target Field?
Guest poster Dan Smith says the sounds of baseball seem better at Target Field. Do you agree?
April 21, 2010 at 12:49PM
In the wake of my divorce a few years ago, a boyhood buddy and I embarked on a storybook baseball road trip. Nine days, eight ballparks; our only off day was a visit to Cooperstown. When life didn't make much sense, baseball did.
As we drove from Chicago to Cooperstown and back, we were intrigued with the unique aspects of each ballpark's approach to hosting a baseball game. In a global world, baseball is still local. Beyond the accessibility and layout of each ballpark, we noted the food and beverage options, the placement of scoreboards, as well as the information provided (not enough parks display on-base percentage). However, as the trip wore on, we were struck by the important role of sound in the experience of live outdoor baseball. In Chicago, we found extremes on both ends of the spectrum.
Going to a White Sox game is a bit like walking into a nightclub—in terms of sound. We were assailed with thumping bass and spacey sound effects between every pitch! On the other hand, at Wrigley the pure sounds of the game prevailed. Sure, there's walk up music and Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go!" But, for the most part, fans hear the pop of the ball in the glove and on the bat, enhanced by the old fashioned organ occasionally encouraging us to yell "charge!"
Personally, I found the latter much more appealing than the former. If I want bass thumping my chest, I'll head to a club; if I want to hear the crisp "snap" of a ball in the glove anywhere else than in the backyard with my son, I'll go to a ballpark.
And so, when the Twins opened Target Field against St. Louis a couple of weekends ago, I hushed everyone in the living room and turned up the volume on my TV, hoping to hear … not much.
I was pleased. I could be imagining this, but at home, the sound of the ball on the bat and in the catcher's mitt are clearer and more authentic than what we heard at the dome. Beyond that, I was impressed that the music and sound effects seemed to get out of the way to let the sounds of the game tell the story. Also, I was pleased to hear that lovely organ tastefully prompting fans to join in on our best baseball cheers.
When I go to my first game in the new Target Field in the not-so-distant future, I'll have my eyes peeled and my taste buds dazzled, but more than that, I'll have my ears open, carefully listening to how well I am allowed to experience outdoor baseball through the beautiful sounds of the game.
Only 34 years old, Jeremy Zoll has worked his way up the organizational ranks since coming to the Twins in 2018.
