Opening day holds memories, hopes for Twins' fans
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A few days before the Twins play their final opener in the Dome and about a year before they play the first game at Target Field, Twins spokesman Kevin Smith was showing off the progress on the new stadium's construction.
"Overall we're fine. We're on schedule. Somethings are a little bit ahead, a couple things a little behind," said Smith about the new stadium. "But on balance, we're right where we need to be at this time of year."
Smith is standing on a cement patio on the suite level of the stadium in the right field corner. Next year, this will be an open air section of a restaurant. Smith says it's close enough to the field that a diner should probably keep a baseball mitt next to the salad fork.
"If you sit out here on the balcony, my advice would be to not be the last person here, because invariably, you'll get the seat that faces away from the field," said Smith.
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Smith and other team officials are a bit giddy at the new bells and whistles awaiting Twins fans and players next year: like the giant high resolution scoreboard in left center field, the views of the downtown skyline, and the open concourses, which will allow fans to see the field as they stand in line to buy snacks.
Giddy would also describe season ticket holder Nancy Bachrach.
"It's going to be a great experience," said Bachrach.
Last night Nancy was sitting in the upper deck at the Dome looking down at home plate. But next year at this time, Nancy and her husband Ryan are going to be sitting on the lower level behind home plate at Target Field.
Ryan says they already have a pretty good idea of what that's going to be like, because they recently took a tour of the new ballpark.
"The most obvious thing going in there is that it's very much a ball, a baseball park and this is not a baseball park," said Ryan.
Indeed, the Metrodome was built as a multipurpose stadium. Since 1981, it has hosted two NCAA Men's Basketball Final Fours, a Superbowl, as well as numerous tractor pulls and rock concerts.
The Dome doesn't win any style points for it's teflon roof and giant blue baggie masquerading as a right field wall. However, it has also been the site of some fond memories for Twins fans.
The team clinched both of its World Series championships there. And for some fans like Miles Pfaff and his son Scott, it holds other memories as well.
"My son and I right here have been to a lot of games here, and we've really enjoyed them," said Pfaff.
"So, it's just good memories of spending time out here with my dad and friends and stuff, for any game," said Scott.
Other fans, like Chuck Stanek, say they're looking forward to outdoor baseball. However, he hopes next year's opener will not be a day like this one, with the temperature in the 40s and a gusty north wind.
"At my age, I don't like to sit out in the cold, so it might take a few games to get out to the new stadium," said Stanek.
Until that day comes, fans and the Twins will keep counting down the days.
The team will mark the final season by tallying some of the 100 greatest Metrodome moments and for each Saturday home game, players will wear 1982 throwback uniforms, the first year the Twins started playing at the dome.
