Target Field design / Construction

[jerew]

It was not possible given the site to include outfield upper deck seats without some obstructed views. So the choice was to include them or not. How is it a design flaw to include those seats? It was just simply a choice. There's no design that could prevent those obstructions. Consumers know those obstructions exist and they have the choice to purchase the tickets or not. Not including those seats would just mean we would not have that choice and instead would have to sit in a more expensive section or stay home. I'm glad they gave us the choice. We can live with not being able to see the warning track.

The size of the Target Field site is indeed that small. The outfield seating is a function of the site constraints, and given what they had to work with, I really like it.

[ericlc129]

I do agree that some of the angles that Target Field has been shot at make the outfield seats look more like Tiger Stadium's design...but from what I also agree with is to fit within the confines of the established streets, some "cramped" (?) seating may have to occur...
Who knows, maybe the left field seats will be nice and comfy; and no one will know or care in 2011.

[muckandgrind]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

I do agree that some of the angles that Target Field has been shot at make the outfield seats look more like Tiger Stadium's design...but from what I also agree with is to fit within the confines of the established streets, some "cramped" (?) seating may have to occur...
Who knows, maybe the left field seats will be nice and comfy; and no one will know or care in 2011.

Actually, the left field stands look more like the old Met Stadium left field seats than anything else. That being said, I don't believe that the intention was to "re-create" anything....they were just working with what they had.

[ericlc129]

Originally Posted by muckandgrind

Actually, the left field stands look more like the old Met Stadium left field seats than anything else...

True, I do see the Met within the left field bleachers. And I do agree with you that I don't think they were trying to re-create or go retro at all. All in all, if it places fans close enough to the action that they don't feel they are 500 feet away from home plate, that's all you need

When do the Twins install another scoreboard above the first base grandstand? You know, for football games and for more signage?

[Goober]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

When do the Twins install another scoreboard above the first base grandstand? You know, for football games and for more signage?

Placing a scoreboard above the grandstand (on either side) messes with the æsthetics of the boomerang like canopy - and I can't imagine that anyone's dumb enough to put something as mundane as a scoreboard up there. Now, adding a scoreboard above the trapezoid seats? Maybe...

[FMTwinsFan]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

When do the Twins install another scoreboard above the first base grandstand? You know, for football games and for more signage?

They have ribbon boards to make up for the lack of a scoreboard.

[KingmanIII]

Originally Posted by CandlestickBum

Why are you defending a poor design choice anyway? It's not your money, but it will be some poor fans money that's poorly spent when they purchase tickets for those seats. But hey, you want to defend the interests of ownership and corporations against your fellow man, well knock yourself out there buddy.

Whoa, whoa, c'mon man: why does commenting that site constraints dictated compromises in sightlines in certain areas of the seating bowl have to make me a defender of a scumbag like Pohlad? (may he rot in hell) Is it any better that those outfield seats not be installed at all, driving seating capacity well under 36,000, artificing ticket scarcity and thus resulting in higher prices throughout the rest of the stadium? That would seem like a better idea if I was trying to maximize gate receipts.

I do think those tickets should be sharply discounted (to $10 or less), though.

I just looked it up, and if your number is correct then that sure is a small lot it's on. Mays field is on a smallish lot, and it measures 13 acres, your 375,000 sq/ft is 8.6 acres. That's 50% less than Mays field? Something seems awry.

BTW, Mays Field's capacity is 41,503.

It really is that small -- about the same size as Wrigley. The entry plaza had to be built over the highway as a result.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...cl=1&encType=1

Still a big fan of the new stadium, don't get me wrong. Love the stonework and the lighting awning and the rest. Just too bad about the outfield is all.
Don't anybody get their knickers in a twist because everyone doesn't unconditionally love it.

Hey, no prob -- I've made my own criticisms about the place myself, especially the exterior. I just don't think the obstructed views are gonna make the game completely unwatchable unless, like, a dozen balls are hit to the left field fence (many home runs to left will land in the porch ). It isn't exactly like it's the first ballpark built with obstructed views, either -- I missed Ichiro robbing a homer during my visit to Safeco. It was kinda funny, actually -- the rest of the stadium going apesh!t and us fans in right field not cheering until they showed the replay.

[CandlestickBum]

Originally Posted by KingmanIII

Whoa, whoa, c'mon man: why does commenting that site constraints dictated compromises in sightlines in certain areas of the seating bowl have to make me a defender of a scumbag like Pohlad? (may he rot in hell)

Sorry, by the time you'd responded I had lumped everyone as "excusers" and was getting irritated that a shortcoming suddenly wasn't one because of (insert excuse here).

Is it any better that those outfield seats not be installed at all, driving seating capacity well under 36,000, artificing ticket scarcity and thus resulting in higher prices throughout the rest of the stadium?

I'll trust your numbers for outfield seating to be about 1/8th of stadium. Seems reasonable.
And so is your argument, I was just getting a little stupid about people saying a shortcoming, isn't. Not when they want to look the other way or something.

I do think those tickets should be sharply discounted (to $10 or less), though.

Good luck on that.

It really is that small -- about the same size as Wrigley. The entry plaza had to be built over the highway as a result.

Wow, 1/3 smaller than Mays Fields' footprint? Freaking teeny, guess the alternate choices were either too expensive or otherwise deemed lesser somehow. Think it's great that it has rapid transit right there, am sure that came into play.

I just don't think the obstructed views are gonna make the game completely unwatchable

Good, because nobody, NOBODY has argued that.

It isn't exactly like it's the first ballpark built with obstructed views, either --

Doesn't make it a good thing either.

I think we're pretty much in agreement, just nuance. We'd shove each other at a bar and then get quickly distracted by cleavage and talk about, uhhh, ladies.

I'd love to go to a game next season, even if it were in a restricted view section. Okay, maybe not there.

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

When do the Twins install another scoreboard above the first base grandstand? You know, for football games and for more signage?

Har-de-har-har. There ain't gonna be no stinking football games played in Target Field. Let them eat teflon.

[ericlc129]

[quote=Dave T;1639953]Har-de-har-har. There ain't gonna be no stinking football games played in Target Field. QUOTE]

Hey wait a minute? Aren't there football games going on at PacBell/ATT/Sprint/T-Mobile Park instead of The Stick? Isn't the Diamondbacks airplane hangar hosting a BCS instead of the Cardinals airplane hangar?

[CandlestickBum]

[quote=ericlc129;1640042]

Originally Posted by Dave T

Har-de-har-har. There ain't gonna be no stinking football games played in Target Field. QUOTE]

Hey wait a minute? Aren't there football games going on at PacBell/ATT/Sprint/T-Mobile Park instead of The Stick? Isn't the Diamondbacks airplane hangar hosting a BCS instead of the Cardinals airplane hangar?

Just two college games a year, East-West Shrine game and another(?).

But AT&T will be hosting a soon to fail alternate football league who's name I forgot already, but the team name is the Redwoods with Denny Green coaching.

Candlestick is still home of the Niners.

[Don_Taco]

New timelapse videos I found on a Minnpost article

Both webcams 1 and 2 and in HD! Sweet

[ericlc129]

That video is SO cooL!

[soup]

Originally Posted by Don_Taco

New timelapse videos I found on a Minnpost article

Both webcams 1 and 2 and in HD! Sweet

why did they put a temporary infield up in the parking lot way before construction began?

[Don_Taco]

Originally Posted by soup

why did they put a temporary infield up in the parking lot way before construction began?

it was for the groundbreaking ceremony.

actually, there were two temp. fields. the original groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled the day the 35W bridge collapsed and it was understandably cancelled. it was rescheduled later in the month.

[soup]

interesting

[Lafferty Daniel]

We need more pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37085616@N03/4078953855/

View from the plaza.


At least it's not all dark green.


Boxes covering "Welcome"







Should be Summit.

[jaamz]

thanks for the pics bro, i'm so pumped for target field! the wood seat's look amazing.

[jnakamura]

The LF seats will be just like the RF upper deck seats at RYS--except lower...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfisher/1440368686/

[ericlc129]

I'm wondering what's going to keep the riff-raff out of the right field commons area during the summer?
I don't think I see any crowd control type of set up?

[mets16]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

I'm wondering what's going to keep the riff-raff out of the right field commons area during the summer?
I don't think I see any crowd control type of set up?

I'm assuming it will be like Nationals Park, where you can walk all the way up to the centerfield plaza without a ticket. You really can't see much of the game, but you still get the atmosphere feel, whatever atmosphere Nationals Park has.

I'm sure TF has fences but in an inconspicuous area that is off to the side.


you can walk up this close without a ticket.

[Goober]

Originally Posted by ericlc129

I'm wondering what's going to keep the riff-raff out of the right field commons area during the summer?
I don't think I see any crowd control type of set up?

How's it different than any public park wih sculptures and stuff? You take your chances. There are statues everywhere (heck, I live in a town that has a sculpture walk in downtown, and there's no special "crowd controll" for that) Plus, who's keeping an eye on the statue of Musial outside Busch? Banks outside Wrigley? Aaron outside Turner? Basically, I'm asking what's your point?

[mets16]

Originally Posted by Goober

How's it different than any public park wih sculptures and stuff? You take your chances. There are statues everywhere (heck, I live in a town that has a sculpture walk in downtown, and there's no special "crowd controll" for that) Plus, who's keeping an eye on the statue of Musial outside Busch? Banks outside Wrigley? Aaron outside Turner? Basically, I'm asking what's your point?

I think he means, people without tickets and those who have not paid will be able to walk around. Public parks do not charge admission. That is the point of it being a public park.

[NYBase]

I hadn't notice this break in the seating.

[KingmanIII]

That's to separate the Legends Club seats from the Skyline Deck (non-club) seats.

You know, so some wiseguy doesn't try sneaking over to the wine-and-cheese party.