Target Field

**the_walleye** · 03-17-2009, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by MyNameIsMURRAY

What are some of the distinctly Twins aspects of LOL Field that you guys are looking forward to?

Murray, I'm assuming by LOL you meant Land O' Lakes Field? It's actually Target Field (though some would have preferred LOL), and that structure in the foul pole pics is the Administrative Building in the left field corner.

As far as "distictly Twins" aspects of TF (or maybe just unique aspects of TF in general), here's what I'm excited about:

The overall design of the exterior is very unique and very 'Minneapolis' so it will be easily and instantly identifiable with the Twins; also, the limestone exterior will be carried subtly throughout the interior of the ballpark (on the Admin Building, the overhang, behind homeplate, etc.) and will tie the exterior and the interior together nicely. Then you have the small footprint, which forced the Twins/HOK to get creative...I love it! Seems like they turned back the clock to the days of squeezing a ballpark in wherever you could fit one. Combine all of that with the canopy and I don't think you'll have to wonder whose park you're seeing on TV!

Plus, there will be an old school animatronic neon sign of the old Twins logo (twins shaking hands over the Mississippi) somewhere beyond the outfield stands, and the batter's eye will have evergreen trees planted in it (very MN). I also can't wait for Mauer/Morneau/Kubel to launch homeruns onto the plaza behind right field!

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff, Lafferty? Moose? Bombay?

**Goober** · 03-17-2009, 08:44 AM

I'd add the view from any seat on the third base side. The accessability of the park (three parking decks, two (soon to be three, mabye four) rail lines, a bike/walking trail all adjacent to the park). And I'd echo walleye's comments. The sun-shade is unique. Lots of parks have a token shade, but this one is huge. I like the admin building too. It'll have a party deck on top, and will have some great views of the action from there.

Moose

**jfh** · 03-17-2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by moose97

The sun-shade is unique. Lots of parks have a token shade, but this one is huge.

Yes, but that's about the only thing so far I have reservations on. I hope it isn't too cool on the first base side of the park. I haven't decided where I want to select my regular seats, but I'm leaning toward 3rd base, primarily because I don't want to be in the shade most of the season.

**jfh** · 03-18-2009, 03:52 PM

I spoke to Graff's Turf Farm and confirmed that they are indeed growing the sod for Target Field. Interesting that today sod was being loaded up for transport to Wrigley Field. The owner is in Chicago for that project, but I will call him next week to see about getting pictures of the TF sod and the trucks bound for Minneapolis. The person I spoke to wasn't sure if the Twins would have to approve and thought it best I spoke to him. I did get credit for the most unusual question she'd heard in some time though.

Some interesting information on the sod for Target Field:

- It was planted in July/August 2008 and should be harvested/transported this fall (pretty sure September). For projects with enough lead time, it's apparently best for the grass to grow for 16-24 months before harvesting.

- Given the distance, it will be transported in special refrigerated trucks. Unclear if Graff's will do the install or the Twins/contractor. (They did do the install for Coors Field and Wrigley).

- The project is approximately 110 thousand square feet (about 3 acres). The grass will most likely be cut/transported in standard stadium rolls, each 4 feet wide by 125 feet long.

- the grass is a derivative of a 4 seed Kentucky Bluegrass blend that they have used for other ballparks. Additional customization/blending was done based on Minnesota climate requirements.

We had a discussion as to why the Twins (or anyone else) would want their sod grown so far away. It pretty much comes down to soil and sand. For drainage, the rounder the base for the sand in the soil, the better. It's all pretty technical, but apparently FSN filmed some footage last year for a story on just that question - why would the Twins have the sod grown in Colorado? Be interesting to find a copy of whatever story that was a part of.

We also talked about the lifespan of the grass - a number of fields replace their sod every 6-7 years, but that's more a function of what the team/owner wants to do, rather than a need because of lifespan. The Rockies have a forward looking plan and actually have a budget in place to replace the entire sod on a periodic basis.

**87Twins91** · 03-18-2009, 05:50 PM

Great info jfh, thanks.

**Lafferty Daniel** · 03-18-2009, 09:10 PM

Excellent reporting jfh. Thanks!

**PurpleMustReign** · 03-19-2009, 10:04 AM

good info. Good investigating!!
I hope they let you take some pics. Maybe they will let you take a sample and you can always say you have a sample of Target Field's grass!!

DiggerODell · 03-19-2009, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by jfh

. . .Graff's Turf Farm. . . .

We also talked about the lifespan of the grass - a number of fields replace their sod every 6-7 years, but that's more a function of what the team/owner wants to do, rather than a need because of lifespan. The Rockies have a forward looking plan and actually have a budget in place to replace the entire sod on a periodic basis.

Fine investigating indeed! I could not for the life of me remember when someone was enquiring earlier about the sod on this thread and where it was grown in Colorado. I remember it was a big story on the News back in '95 when Coors was being built.

**Don_Taco** · 03-19-2009, 11:03 AM

very well done, jfh! super cool of you to do that.

**jfh** · 03-19-2009, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Don_Taco

very well done, jfh! super cool of you to do that.

You got me pointed in the right direction, after the internet wiz kid here didn't even think to use Google ... thanks.

Might be silly to get pictures of grass, but why not? It's a part of the construction process and we have pictures of just about everything else here.

Will see if I can get more details from the owner next week.

**jfh** · 03-19-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by PurpleMustReign

good info. Good investigating!!
I hope they let you take some pics. Maybe they will let you take a sample and you can always say you have a sample of Target Field's grass!!

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get pictures.

As for a sample - I got a quote for redoing my lawn with the same type of grass. Don't know if it will be from the exact field, but can certainly ask. As both a Rockies and a Twins fan, I could end up with samples from both. Or maybe Target Field in the front yard and Coors Field in the back.

**Don_Taco** · 03-19-2009, 01:25 PM

happy to help, jfh.

man, how cool would that be to have the Coors/Target combo lawn? sweet. I wouldn't break the bank for it, but it'd be pretty freakin' neat. you could always get new sod and pretend. lol

**PurpleMustReign** · 03-19-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by jfh

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get pictures.

As for a sample - I got a quote for redoing my lawn with the same type of grass. Don't know if it will be from the exact field, but can certainly ask. As both a Rockies and a Twins fan, I could end up with samples from both. Or maybe Target Field in the front yard and Coors Field in the back.

HA!! Awesome. If you could get that authenticated, that would be a fun story to tell!

**Twins91871977** · 03-20-2009, 11:35 AM

I have to say, watching the stadia go up on the webcam is pretty sweet!

**Lafferty Daniel** · 03-20-2009, 01:57 PM

These pics are from Erik. They began installing the frame for the lights on top of the scoreboard, and you'll notice the strip of limestone on the dark brick section behind the left field bleachers.

**Don_Taco** · 03-20-2009, 02:45 PM

nice. that thing is huge!

**brewerfan386** · 03-20-2009, 08:53 PM

These are from "mrkrinkle625" on flickr as taken today (3/20/09)

The home plate gate

View from the Target Center

Next to the Plaza

What will be a sky bridge from the "A" ramp

The long completed loading dock area

**MSchvatz44** · 03-20-2009, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by Don_Taco

nice. that thing is huge!

that's what she said.

sorry, but it was too obvious to past up

**DukeBX** · 03-21-2009, 08:04 AM

glad to see your stadium is going up. it's great to have a new place to play. looking very nice.

**PurpleMustReign** · 03-21-2009, 06:59 PM

Can we just start playing in it now? I'm getting anxious!!!

**whitesox901** · 03-22-2009, 12:17 AM

Target Field is looking pretty nice so far, kudos to the Twins

**Lafferty Daniel** · 03-22-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by moose97

Bricks could certainly be an after the fact thing, if they wanted. Also, it doesn't have to be on "Target Plaza," it could be on the HERC side (which seems awefuly neglected). That would give folks reason to go to that side...

Moose

Good call Moose. The HERC side needs a little love.

BTW, has anyone heard if they will be doing anything extra on the HERC side? I thought I heard they might have small concession stands outside on the promenade. I'd also like to see what they'll do with the landscaping here.