Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

**riverfrontier** · 10-07-2009, 11:43 AM

If people will stop calling the metrodome a "lady", I will stop calling them d*****bags

**Goober** · 10-07-2009, 02:16 PM

Right, sorry 'bout that - I just quickly grabbed the photo without looking at it well enough. Anyway, check this article, with three photos of the 2001 Final Four:

http://www.giles.com/yamaha1/pressre...final4PM1D.htm

In the last photo (of the sound booth), you can clearly see that there are tons of empty seats as the court was pushed to one corner. Also, the artlcle states attendance was "50,000" for the FF, and this is the reason the Metrodome will never host another FF - even with the current standard of placing the court at mid-field: the NCAA wants 70,000+ seat venues. Add in that there are stadiums like Indy's new building, Ford Field, Cowboys Stadium, etc. that offer not only added seating, but amenities that far surpass what the 'Dome can offer...

**The Old Ballpark** · 10-07-2009, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by riverfrontier

If people will stop calling the metrodome a "lady", I will stop calling them d*****bags

Has anyone else noticed that, now that Bobby Ayala is gone, 99% of the unpleasantness on this board is from posters claiming to be Yankee fans.

**Sean O** · 10-07-2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by The Old Ballpark

Has anyone else noticed that, now that Bobby Ayala is gone, 99% of the unpleasantness on this board is from posters claiming to be Yankee fans.

It's like they go out of their way to be awful. We don't go into the Yankees threads talking about your overpriced mallpark, maybe keep out of our threads.

**scooterfan** · 10-07-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sean O

It's like they go out of their way to be awful. We don't go into the Yankees threads talking about your overpriced mallpark, maybe keep out of our threads.

I hear ya. I was a diehard Yankee fan my entire life and this year I lost interest because of the inferior new stadium and the destruction of American history across the street. When I started reading the Yankee Stadium threads this past spring I was so appalled at the arrogance I determined I could no longer root for the yankees, even on a casual basis for a team that attracts such a despicable fanbase.

Here's a little piece of advice...any time you get into a debate with a Yankee fan utter these two words...SALARY CAP...they'll take their ball and go home.

**mets16** · 10-07-2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by riverfrontier

If people will stop calling the metrodome a "lady", I will stop calling them d*****bags

Just take your win and shut up. Let these guys enjoy the rest of the last year at the Dome. I am pulling so hard for the Twins, you would think I am a fan, but I just think the story is great. Nothing will please me more than to see the Twinkies playing their way into the ALCS.

**klomp44** · 10-07-2009, 09:33 PM

**ChineseDemocracy** · 10-07-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by Goober

Right, sorry 'bout that - I just quickly grabbed the photo without looking at it well enough. Anyway, check this article, with three photos of the 2001 Final Four:

http://www.giles.com/yamaha1/pressre...final4PM1D.htm

In the last photo (of the sound booth), you can clearly see that there are tons of empty seats as the court was pushed to one corner. Also, the artlcle states attendance was "50,000" for the FF, and this is the reason the Metrodome will never host another FF - even with the current standard of placing the court at mid-field: the NCAA wants 70,000+ seat venues. Add in that there are stadiums like Indy's new building, Ford Field, Cowboys Stadium, etc. that offer not only added seating, but amenities that far surpass what the 'Dome can offer...

Thanks Goob, that makes more sense now. I was wondering why they didn't put the court in the middle in the first place.

Just want to echo UnderPressure's question, when did they get rid of the plexiglass in left field?

**Lafferty Daniel** · 10-07-2009, 11:12 PM

The plexiglass was up from 1983 - 1993.

**ChineseDemocracy** · 10-07-2009, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Lafferty Daniel

The plexiglass was up from 1983 - 1993.

Why did they have it, and why did they get rid of it?

What were the grounds rules with the plexiglass? If the ball hit the clear part, was it in play or was it ruled a homer?

**Lafferty Daniel** · 10-07-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by ChineseDemocracy

Why did they have it, and why did they get rid of it?

What were the grounds rules with the plexiglass? If the ball hit the clear part, was it in play or was it ruled a homer?

The turf was very hard during the first couple of seasons so they thought the plexiglass would prevent ground rule doubles.

I've also heard it was installed to appease the hockey fans. Make em' feel at home.

**ChineseDemocracy** · 10-07-2009, 11:27 PM

Well played, sir.

Carry on.

**lmh839** · 10-12-2009, 06:36 PM

Moments after the final out...The Metrodome era has officially ended.

http://www.startribune.com/galleries...7PQLanchO7DiUr

**Goober** · 10-12-2009, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by lmh839

Moments after the final out...The Metrodome era has officially ended.

http://www.startribune.com/galleries...7PQLanchO7DiUr

Um... I know that the facility is going to be used quite a bit for college and high school baseball, so what's up with this? Especially when the Twins aren't moving the plate and rubber to Target Field?

**Bleeding Pinstripes** · 10-12-2009, 07:17 PM

why is that homeplate so big? are all mlb home plates like that? i thought it was like the other bases like stuck in with a spike.

**Bleeding Pinstripes** · 10-12-2009, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Goober

Um... I know that the facility is going to be used quite a bit for college and high school baseball, so what's up with this? Especially when the Twins aren't moving the plate and rubber to Target Field?

and i think they removed it so quickly for security reasons. like no one can try and steal it. tho i think it would be a lil difficult to sneak a pic-ax in to the metrodome, they probly just dident wana take any chances

**Gary Dunaier** · 10-12-2009, 07:23 PM

They showed shots of the plate being removed on TBS...

...and the broadcasters said the plate was going to Target Field.

**TwinsFan2010** · 10-12-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Goober

Um... I know that the facility is going to be used quite a bit for college and high school baseball, so what's up with this? Especially when the Twins aren't moving the plate and rubber to Target Field?

From a local news source the reason they dug up home plate and the mound, was to make the Metrodome into a permanent football facility. The dirt around home plate and the mound will be replaced by concrete. They will use a temporary clay mound and home plate similar to how the bases are.

**doctor_gogol** · 10-12-2009, 09:26 PM

You won't see views like this at Target Field. You won't see prices like that either.

This seat was $6 for game 3 of the ALDS.

**mets16** · 10-12-2009, 09:50 PM

It's too bad I never got to see a game at the Dome. I was always hoping to go one time. It is gonna rank up there in biggest regrets. Maybe ill see it for football, but it wouldn't be the same.

**PeteU** · 10-13-2009, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Bleeding Pinstripes

why is that homeplate so big? are all mlb home plates like that? i thought it was like the other bases like stuck in with a spike.

Most pro and college homeplates, if not all of them, have what is called an "anchor" to keep the plate from doing any shifting whatsoever. Otherwise, whenever someone slid into home or stepped on the plate, you risk have the plate move out of place and screwing up the strike zone.

I remember I first saw this when they dug up the homeplate at Memorial Stadium after the last game to transport it to Oriole Park. The ceremony had the plate being driven from Memorial Stadium to Oriole Park by limo. But as I recall it took the grounds crew forever to dig up the plate with its anchor. When the Diamondvision switched to Oriole Park 15 minutes later (that alone being dubious given traffic and lights), the crew at Oriole Park had one of those cheap little league plates which was obviously a stand-in until the actual plate could be dug in.

**PeteU** · 10-13-2009, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Lafferty Daniel

The turf was very hard during the first couple of seasons so they thought the plexiglass would prevent ground rule doubles.

I've also heard it was installed to appease the hockey fans. Make em' feel at home.

If I recall correctly, Kirby Puckett's famous catch in the 1991 series probably only saved an extra base hit, not a home run, since it would have otherwise bumped off the plexiglass. Had there been no plexiglass, it would have taken away a home run--that is, unless some Twins fan wanted to be Jeffrey Maier or Steve Bartman and screw Kirby up.

Still a great catch regardless.

**placount** · 10-13-2009, 08:34 AM

Yea it was in the park, but they had a guy on who would have undoubtedly scored.

**KingmanIII** · 10-13-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by mets16

It's too bad I never got to see a game at the Dome. I was always hoping to go one time. It is gonna rank up there in biggest regrets. Maybe ill see it for football, but it wouldn't be the same.

I've been, and believe me, you're not missing much.

The only thing I didn't like about my trip to the Twin Cities.