When fans headed to Target Field on Friday to see the Twins play the Rangers, they could no longer bring backpacks, duffels or laptop bags.
Starting then, only single-compartment bags under the stadium's new size limit — 16 by 16 by 8 inchÂes — are allowed in the ballpark.
The policy was announced in June afÂter large crowds creÂatÂed logjams outside the stadium at late spring games. The restrictions aim to reÂduce the time for seÂcuriÂty to check each bag "with the end reÂsult of getting our fans into the ballÂpark quickÂly and safeÂly," Twins PresÂiÂdent Dave St. Peter said.
PursÂes, clutchÂes, single-comÂpartÂment totes, clear bags, drawÂstring bags, diaÂper bags, soft-sidÂed coolÂers and medÂiÂcal items are still alÂlowed. Those with bags that are 9 by 5 inchÂes or smallÂer can enÂter via express lanes.
A third-parÂty comÂpany will proÂvide a free on-site bag check servÂice for those unÂaware of the polÂicy through the end of July. AfÂter that, the comÂpany will charge a fee.
Last month, the Twins stopped reÂquirÂing fans to empÂty their pockÂets of cellÂphones, keys and walÂlets when walkÂing through seÂcuriÂty at the ballÂpark's gates afÂter Target Field magÂnetomÂeters were upÂdatÂed to recÂogÂnize such comÂmon items.
Twins spokesman Matt Hodson said late Friday that fans were "well-prepared" for the new policy and that long lines before the game, a projected sellout, moved swiftly enough that all fans were in the stadium by the time the game began.
Staff writer Pamela Miller contributed to this report. Katie Galioto • 612-673-4478