Since it's brand new, there are a lot of unknowns associated with Target Field. We solicited questions from fans, and received queries on everything from tailgating to dinner reservations at the Metropolitan Club to obtaining autographs. We've done our best to provide answers, with a great deal of help from Kevin Smith, Twins executive director of public affairs. When Smith didn't know an answer, he knew the team, county or city officials who did. Q: I've heard there is no tailgating at Target Field -- that can't be true, can it?
A: There is no surface parking at the stadium. But there are options nearby. City ordinance has designated an area in the northeast part of downtown where tailgating (specifically, consuming alcohol in the parking lot) is allowed. The area runs from the river on the north to 6th Street on the south, and from 4th Avenue on the west to 11th Avenue on the east. Whether to allow tailgating is up to the individual lot owners. Lots that allow tailgating should have signs that say so. Lot owners who allow tailgating have to commit to cleaning up after the event and providing trash receptacles and portable toilets.
Q: I live in Minneapolis, and my wife and I are wondering what facilities there will be on the stadium site for bicyclists? It would be nice if there were lockers for helmets and other equipment.
A: Racks for locking bikes are on the promenade side of Target Field. There is no area for equipment storage.
Q: Is there a lights "curfew" for extra-inning games?
A: There is no curfew.
Q: Can I bring a picnic lunch or other food into the stadium?
A: The Twins permit guests to bring food into Target Field as long as the items are consumed in the general seating areas. Food cannot be brought into restaurants, club lounge or suite areas. Food containers must be soft-sided and fit under the guest's seat. Food that could be dangerous if thrown (i.e., apples) should be sliced or sectioned. Food purchased on Target Plaza is allowed into Target Field.
Q: Say I have tickets for a game and the forecast is gloomy. Who besides Mother Nature decides whether the game is played? And if it's called off, what then?
A: Gloomy forecast? In Minnesota? No chance. But just in case, remember this basic piece of advice: Don't change your game-day plans too early. The Twins will make every effort to play. Here's the process for deciding whether to play:
The right to delay the start of a game rests with the home club. Once both team managers meet with the plate umpire and exchange lineup cards, the decision whether the game will be interrupted or terminated comes from the umpire crew chief. The crew chief has the authority to determine whether play is halted, when play will be resumed and whether a game will be terminated because of bad weather or unsafe conditions. In the event of a postponed or cancelled game, guests are advised to check twinsbaseball.com or call 800-33-TWINS because postponements or cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Fans can resell tickets to games they can't attend by using StubHub, MLB's official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace.
Q: Are umbrellas allowed inside the stadium?
A: Small umbrellas are permitted inside Target Field so long as their use does not block the view for other guests. Golf umbrellas are not allowed.
Q: Will there be a place to go after games to wait for players and get autographs? I've heard the players' parking lot is secured and inaccessible to fans.
A: The player and employee parking lot is a secured facility. Fans will likely gather outside the entry gate to see whether they can get an autograph as players enter and exit. But they'll have to stop in their cars to sign.
Q: Who will handle fan questions -- senior-age ushers, Boy Scouts?
A: Guest service staff throughout the ballpark will be able to answer questions, and there are fixed guest service areas. During the early season, there will also be a team of ambassadors outside assisting fans.
Q: Is the Metropolitan Club open to all season-ticket holders?
A: All season-ticket holders, full or partial, can use the Metropolitan Club. Space is available in the club for dining with reservations, which can be made within two weeks of a game by calling 612-659-3964. There are two seatings for a buffet: the first when the gates open, the second 15 minutes before the first pitch. An a la carte menu is available after the fifth inning.
Q: Have the Twins considered running buses from suburban park-and-ride lots to Target Field? It would seem that would help alleviate traffic.
A: The Twins will not operate a shuttle service. But Metro Transit has added a Twins Express from the park-and-ride lot at Hwy. 394 and Hopkins Crossroad. Metro Transit officials believe most areas of the metro will be able to use existing lines, even at night. To check on bus lines operating after 10 p.m., go to www.metrotransit.org/twins. Additionally, Hiawatha Line light rail will run to Target Field as will the Northstar Line for 53 games throughout the season. There are a number of transportation options for fans other than driving. Visit destinationtargetfield.com for more details.
Q: Are the Twins going to try to start any Target Field traditions? For those of us who love Milwaukee's sausage races and someone murdering "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" every seventh inning at Wrigley, what can we look forward to? Please don't tell me T.C. Bear firing T-shirts into the crowd counts as a tradition.
A: Yes, T.C. Bear firing T-shirts is becoming a tradition, and look for the mascot to be firing at Target Field. "Have you seen people jump over each other trying to get the T-shirts?" Smith said. "That's a pretty popular item." The Twins will continue ceremonial first pitches, in-game contests, as well as the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch. A sampling of between-inning segments: animated "Race to Target Field"; live "check-ins" of other major league games; sing-along songs feature T.C. Bear; and the return of Kiss Cam. In addition, the Twins will celebrate their 50th season by showcasing the events of the previous 49 seasons.
Q: The Twins have already announced that over half the games are sold out, including many of the marquee series. Is there still a chance to get tickets?
A: Yes, but probably not at face value. Unless you get lucky. Start by checking with the Twins, by phone, online or at the ticket office. The club frequently gets returned tickets from groups or visiting teams that could hit the market any day. After that, go to StubHub (www.stubhub.com). Ticket holders who can't use their tickets are able to use StubHub for resale; they're also permitted to ask whatever they think they can receive for their tickets. There are also numerous ticket postings on Craigslist. And there are always scalpers outside the stadium on game day.
Q: Are there idiosyncrasies Target Field has that no other major league ballpark has?
A: Twins officials say the full answer to this question will reveal itself over time, but yes, there are a couple of items to note before the first regular-season pitch is thrown. Start with the Budweiser Roof Deck, which has the only outdoor fire pit in major league baseball. The right-field porch, called the overlook, sits atop a 23-foot fence -- same height as the infamous Metrodome baggie -- and hangs 8 feet over the field of play. Balls that land in the overlook are home runs.
Q: When do the gates open?
A: Gates open 1 1/2 hours before the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games and two hours before the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games. The Twins typically start batting practice 2 1/2 hours before a game, while the visiting team starts batting practice 90 minutes before the first pitch.
Q: Is there a contingency plan to move games to the Dome if there are two, three days of rain forecast?
A: No. There are no plans for the Twins to ever again play at the Dome.
Q: Is the .15 percent Hennepin County sales tax being used to fund anything besides Target Field?
A: Yes. Hennepin County has budgeted about $27 million a year for the sales tax. The breakdown: About $20 million a year for bondholders of the stadium debt, $2.4 million a year to fund the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, $1.1 million for a capital improvement reserve fund, up to $2 million a year for library hours and up to $2 million a year for amateur sports facilities.
Q: Can you see the playing surface from anywhere on Target Plaza? Any knothole views there?
A: The field is not visible from Target Plaza until fans walk through Gate 34. There are no knothole views from Target Plaza, but there is a view into the ballpark on the 5th Street side.
Q: Will there be food and beverages sold on the plaza, like there was outside the Metrodome?
A: Yes. There are concession stands and portable food carts on Target Plaza.
Q: Will we be able to get the same kettle corn that we bought at the Dome?
A: Yes. On Target Plaza.
Q: Are there drinking fountains at Target Field?
A: Yes, throughout the main concourse, club, suite and terrace levels.
