The design of HOK Sport in Kansas City and the construction genius of local company M.A. Mortenson are turning an undersized ditch in a northwest corner of downtown Minneapolis into a ballpark you're not going to believe.

For months, you would drive by those eight lousy acres as Hennepin County, the Twins and the owners feuded over a land price and mumble: "This is ridiculous. There's no way you can fit into this hole a facility with the amenities and open spaces of a modern ballpark."

HOK came up with the ideas, Mortenson figured out how to make it work, the Twins threw in extra millions and this is now a ballpark site covering 12 acres.

The claustrophobia of the Metrodome's entrances, corridors, concession areas and restrooms will be replaced by roominess, quantity and quality in April 2010.

Heavens to Pat Murray, Twins President Dave St. Peter even is pushing hard for visitors to Target Field being able to purchase a Murray's steak sandwich with a side order of mysterious, magnificent garlic toast.

You will have to wear a coat on occasion, and maybe a rain poncho, but playing this year's schedule, the Twins would've had three postponements, maximum.

OK, but what happens if the Twins reach another World Series? Well, if that had occurred over last weekend, we would've had the three greatest nights for baseball in the history of the Fall Classic.

Baseball is on the brink of change here, and if you're a fan, you can't wait.

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. • preusse@startribune.com