Star Tribune's Secret Fan: Lynx OK for the family

Star Tribune

The Lynx Party Zone, June 12.

The fourth in the Star Tribune's 10-part series on taking in the fan experience at Twin Cities-area sporting events.

Last update: June 25, 2009 - 8:53 AM

Editor's note: We sent various Star Tribune staff members out to different summer sporting events and asked them to write about the experience from the perspective of a fan. This is what the anonymous "Secret Fan" found:

Mind you, Secret Fan is no prude. We enjoy adult beverages, and we've been known to howl at a dirty joke. Still, we prefer our sporting events to be free of the embarrassingly over-served, the chronically enraged and the kind of dialogue usually found in Quentin Tarantino movies.

So we soaked up the sunny vibe at a recent Lynx game. The summer tenants of Target Center provide a family-friendly pro sports experience: affordable, entertaining and G-rated. For $10, we got a lower-bowl seat on the corner opposite the Lynx bench, and we immediately scored a freebie -- a small soda ($3.75 value) for signing a designated-driver form. An affable usher handed us a sheet with team rosters and notes, and on the scoreboard video screen, rookie Renee Montgomery thanked the fans for coming.

The crowd of about 6,000 included lots of families and kids. Those who drank alcoholic beverages did so in moderation, and even those upset with the officiating managed to voice displeasure without so much as a "You suck.'' When the public-address announcer read the requisite pregame warning against bad behavior, one fan said to her companion: "Who's going to get in a fight here?''

Lynx supporters even applauded the public-service announcements. Polite, though, did not equal silent. All those kids and parents cheered loudly and steadily, creating a vibrant atmosphere even as Seattle dominated the home team. And even in a loss, the Lynx provided solid entertainment with dynamic players such as Seimone Augustus -- lost last week for the season because of a knee injury -- and Candice Wiggins hustling until the end.

At halftime, kids could play on the court with team mascot Prowl, and a vocal group performed a free postgame concert. There also was pregame fun across the street for those Minnesotans loathe to squander precious summer hours indoors. On this perfect Friday evening, and on three more to come, the Bellanotte patio hummed with live music, games, giveaways and food and drink specials.

Being a budget-conscious recessionista, Secret Fan appreciated the value the Lynx offer, with one exception: the $4.50 we wasted on the watery, flavorless ice cream. All was forgiven when we left Target Center and a smiling usher said, "Take care! See you next time!'' You can count on it.