So, they say it would cost an extra $100 million to add a retractable roof. I think it's time for all Batlings to dig deep and kick in.

I mean, come on. How many Twins fans are there in the region? Enough to cover the extra cost if everyone contributed $50 - 100 each (or as much as one is able)?

Then incorporate a "Wall of Fame" with small plaques with the names of donors somewhere in the stadium.

This could work, people! Then we wouldn't need to worry about getting snowed out.

Funny thing...you always hear them plugging outdoor baseball during a beautiful day at the Jake. However, you get three games in a row such as the three in Detroit (or the absence of two games I should say) and not a PEEP about it.

I'd look over there as an example of why you'd either want the roof retractable...or keep it domed.

Oh well, at least they'll finally stop bitching about Minnesota playing in a dome. Though they'll find something else I suppose.

I have had to work with just about every single one of these proposals as they came down the pike. This one has the most chance of being successfully put in place of anything we have discussed in the last 10 years - especially without the roof.

(Although personally, I would like one just because I am a weather wimp and HATE to have my plans interrupted by freaking rain or SNOW!!)

If tomorrow's game is snowed out, do the Tigers get a sweep?

Jeb thinks the plan is designed so that eventually the state will pony up the money for the retractable roof. Batgirl is certainly pro-that.

I'm excited about the prospect of a new stadium, even though I'm not holding by breath. I've had some great times in the dome and I'd be a little sad to see it go, but baseball should be outdoors when possible. Give me a retractable roof if possible, but if not, give me an outdoor stadium. Maybe I'd even prefer no roof. The only retractable-roof stadium that I've been in is Arizona, and it's really pretty bland.

So I'd be plenty happy with an outdoor stadium (although, it had better be called a park or field, or course). Mill City Park. I like the sound of that.

I agree with Jeb but I certainly don't want the deal to hang on that. I say go ahead with the project as is and if the state can come into down the road, all well and good.

More important to me is better sightlines, more comfortable seating, and an open concourse. *SIGH*

ahh.... a girl can dream....

Being a Twins fan living in Madison WI, if I am driving up for a game I want there to be a game. Build it with a retractable roof!! Milwaukee's is nice, but I would like something more like Safeco if possible where there is still an open air feel with the roof (although Seattle doesn't heat Safeco, it only keeps rain out).

Regardless, I have told Minnesota residents I would glady donate some tax money to help out!!

About time.

I like a roof too. But if it is something that would put a stop to any kind of stadium than I say an open air is better than nothing.

No baseball again today….maybe I will cheer on the Rangers for a sweep of the Yankees, and to put them further into LAST place!!!

The Twins have to draw from the region instead of just the Twin Cities. If you're driving in from Mankato or St. Cloud, you have to be insured that there will be a game when you get there. (And I don't even want to think what it would be like if a busload full of school kids got to the park in time to find that it was rained out.)

Too bad they can't do what they did with the Dome and air conditioning: add a roof later after looking stupid and cheap for a year. Still remember going to see a game at the triple H and being told not to buy the cheap seats because it was too hot in the upper deck.

Is it usually local companies that buy naming rights?

What are our local big companies?
Best Buy,
3M,
Target (taken),
United Health Care (UHC),
Medtronic,
Wells Fargo,
Famous Dave's,
Buffalo Wild Wings,
Bucca Di Beppo (could it be called the Pope Stadium?),

Bat-Girl

What the hell - now I have no excuse for procrasting - Booo hisss!!

Well I have an extra 50 - if it'll help pay for a retractable roof - my section of the roof shall be pink!

Much Love
Wonder Woman

AMR -

Isn't General Mills local too - Free Box of cereal every Sunday day game!!

Wohooooo!!!

How about the Famous Dave's Barbecue Pit? :)

Star-Tribune 100 biggest public companies in MN:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/178/5339475.html

Looking through it for good and bad ideas.

Good: Deluxe, Polaris, Hawkins, Hormel, Valspar (just cos their building is close to the Dome, I've always associated them with the Twins anyways)

Bad: Medtox, Rural Cellular, Hickory Tech, Best Buy, Allete, Bemis, Supervalu

Pope Staduim...lol

This is just like the long, boring offseason all over again.

General Mills would be great. "GM Stadium."
We could all call it the "Terry Ryan."

An artist's rendering of the proposal appears at http://startribune.com/images/hl/5365857_132952.html. (I hope I got that URL right). Anyway, it appears to me that this rendering shows very few outfield seats.Am I just looking at it wrong, or what?

Looks like the artist rendering is the previous plan without a roof. Go to
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/min/ballpark/index.jsp
for a big bunch of info on the old plan.

Cambria Field.

Gutter Helmet Ballpark?

Thanks for the link. Love the view with the Mpls. skyline in the background. I see that All-Star voting is open. Vote Torii!

Hey, congrats on the most recent homage to our leader:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/11467055.htm

BG rules!

If Famous Dave sponsored it would it be decorated with old baseball junk like their restaurants? That would be cool. Sorta faux Fenway.

Maybe Cargill. Then we could refer to it as the Carge for short and fanatic fans could be the Cargill Cult.

I don't even want to think about the non-stop Medtronic Cardiac Kids jokes.

With all this snow I am suddenly thankful of the metrodome...

atleast for now.

And mabe NW arlines? But I suppose the airlines have their own probles these days.

More press for Batgirl. Very nice. Get ready for another wave of first-time visitors. At least they'll be Twins fans this time, not Bitch Sox trolls.

It's so cool to know that Gardenhire and the crew have actually watched Oh Five (and liked it). That must be very satisfying for Team Batgirl.

Does the outfield seem like it was designed by C.C. Sabathia to anyone? It's sort of... crooked. And yeah, it looks short on outfield seats- I'd rather sit in the "Home Run Porch" at a game than 139871239084 miles high above the infield

Marshall Fields...or Land O' Lakes Park.

Some Sox fan suggested Hostess Stadium, Home of the Twinkies.
Aren't those Sox fans cute? And they think they're so original too.

LOL Park. I like that. Take a trip to the Lake, although it would be surrounded by on-ramps and it would be a ways to any water.

If it's based on the original design, it'll probably be a lot like Safeco, a marvelous place to see a ballgame. I've sat in the (sparse) outfield seats at Safeco, and they're pretty nice. But once, when the cheap outfield bleachers were sold out, I sat at the very top of the third tier between home plate and first base. A bit dizzying, but the best view of a game I've ever had. I could tell where every ball was going right off the bat, and despite the height, it was almost close enough to see facial expressions (Mt. Rainier right behind me was a bonus). But the very best part is the open concourses. You can walk anywhere in the stadium, and keep an eye on the game while waiting in line for a hotdog. And you can go watch relievers warm up in the visitor's bullpen!

If General Mills named it, all the national media would probably call it the "Cereal Bowl".

k-bro

Congrats to Batgirl on the P. Press article.

Even though I'm a St. Paul area resident, I stopped subscribing to that paper due to their political endorsements last fall.

But I'm not too proud to click on a link about a Batgirl article.

k-bro,

Would we then be required to make a trade with Cleveland for Coco Crisp?

bubblemint,

I'm not sure about that. But at least we'd be sitting good with Boo Berry and Count Chocula already on the staff.

k-bro

I do find it a little strange that there didn't appear to be mention of even an after-the-fact retractable dome. But the fact remains that there are only a few series early in the year and another coupel series late in the year where the cold is a factor. Yes, it does rain in Minnesota. But the lack of a dome will ensure more jobs for the "tarp crew".

Also, I would rather see a metro-wide tax of one half percent, than a Hennepin only 1.5% tax. Yes, I understand that Minneapolis would get most of the benefit (lodging, bar/restaurant receipts). But 1.5% is just high enough that folks will balk.

Carl could chip in more than 125M. But that is still more than I expected him to offer.

The location is OK. Assuming light rail and Northstar will connect for opening day, traffic and parking won't be such an issue.

Bottom line, it isn't my optimal choice, but it is good enough...especially if the stadium itself is not just another example of "forced charm".

Oh, and what would it take to get a few DQ Grill & Chills in there? I am stupified that they aren't in the HHH.

I wondered whether Count Chocula and Boo Berry were General Mills cereals or not, so I entered both into a Yahoo search. The second result that came back was the "Separated at Death?" entry from this site.

And it does appear that they're General Mills cereals, in case everybody didn't already know that. I think we may be on to something here.

Just let me point out the obvious, as long as we're on the subject. It's too bad that every stadium has to have some corporate name, rather than something that actually reflects the local landscape or the history of the ballclub. Wouldn't a new Griffith Field be nice, paying homage to the man who brought us our team? Stadiums aren't usually named after players, but Killebrew Park has a great ring to it. It would be nice to having that kind of naming discussion instead of one that revolves around corporate sponsorship. I guess if the cash gets the stadium built, that's the most important thing, but still ...

OK. Done.

Double A,

It's not a 1.5% tax, it's a 0.15% tax. That would amount to about 3 cents on 20 dollars.
I loved Dean Johnson's quote in the Strib story:

"This is a very workable plan because it does not require any state general fund money," Johnson said. "Three cents on $20 falls out of most people's pockets before breakfast."

Not that it would ever happen, but in my wildest dreams a new Twins' stadium follows the Dome tradition and is named for a prominent Minnesota politician. But failing to get a Wellstone Field, I'm holding out for the Hormel SpamDome. Though as long as there's a giant milk bottle in it, I'll probably be okay with just about anything. I mean, new stadium!

How about Pillsbury Park? Aren't they a fully owned subsidiary of General Mills? Gives some respect to the Twin Cities background as a flour milling center, and lets Gen. Mills give some pub to one of their major product lines. Plus, I like how it sounds.

sadgoatboy

Pillsbury Park? I don't know, my maturity may be lacking, but going to PP to root for the "Pee Pee boys" would be hard to swallow. Even if they all did make light saber noises.

Pillsbury Park, huh? I don't know. Then everyone would refer to the Twins as the "Doughboys".

k-bro

Given my choice, I'd name any new stadium Nicollet Park after the Millers' home from 1896-1955. (Almost 60 years!) And I'd have the architects include the facade from the original Nicollet.

Stew Thornley has a nice page up for Nicollet here:

http://stewthornley.net/nicollet_park.html

Given that naming rights fall to the Twins, it's not going to happen unless an independently wealthy contributor decides he or she couldn't stand another Enron Field. Hard to consider them Green Cathedrals with names like Minute Maid/Tropicana/3Com.

Marshall Fields is no longer Marshall Fields, is it? Didn’t Target sell Marshall Fields?

I like Cambria Filed or Gutter Helmet Ballpark!

Target did sell Marshall Fields to the May Corporation, but the store is still called Marshall Fields.

Forget Marshall Fields, if it's going to be named after any department store it should be Daytons.

I'm personally in favor of Griffith Park, myself.

How's the fund raising for the roof coming?

Dear Mr. Guy,

Is that like hp hop?

Love,
BG

"Bucca Di Beppo (could it be called the Pope Stadium?),"

Only if we can have foul poles shaped to look like shepherd's staves...

After reading the stadium article again, I think I really like the sounds of this:

"Because of the proximity to the energy source, there has been talk about heating seats at the new ballpark. Bell said that's not currently in the plans but may be explored."

How cool would that be? It is sooo Minnesotan!

If Gen Mills bought the naming rights, I could live with Wheaties Field. There's something kind of appropriate about that. One thing I've always fantasized about is a ballpark that actually straddles the city lines so that (say) left field lies in St Paul and Right Field lies in Mpls. Ballparks always have the home base to the west so that the afternoon sun doesn't get in the batters' eyes, so I don't know if that works logistically. You could put the park in Mpls, though, with the boundaries of the field right on the city limits so a home run would be accompanied by the bellows of the announce, "And that one's OUTA TOWN!"

All the wrong people got the money for ballparks.

I'll take the 'credit' for suggesting General Mills - =p

much love
wonder woman

Unlikely, to be sure, but my sentimental favorite so far is Wellstone Field.

I've been taking the bus into downtown from the northwest every day and I see that hole behind the target center, and if there's a better place anywhere in the twin cities readymade to plop a major league ballpark, i'd like to see it.

Someone noted correctly that this proposal lacks any true outfield or bleacher type seat. Guess what? That will translate to no "cheap seats" for us with limited $$ and will allow management to gouge us for what they will say are better seats located between the foul poles. Beware of what you ask for as you will most likely regret it. While the HHH stinks as a ballpark it remains the most afordable in MLB. If we as taxpayers are to pay more than 3/4ths of the cost it better inclue asurances that ticks will not be prices too high. If you want to see what other new parks charge for these "better" seats just look up prices at different teams web sites. My seat in 121 and row 10 will go up from its current $33 to at least $80 per game!

"Being a Twins fan living in Madison WI, if I am driving up for a game I want there to be a game. Build it with a retractable roof!!"

I agree with Shaun here. I live about 500 miles to the west/northwest of the Twin Cities. I try to make it to at least one game a year. If I'm going to spend that much time driving to see a game, I want to see a game! Where do I send my donation for a roof?

I doubt we'd have to worry about a new stadium being named Pillsbury Park. When Pillsbury was sold it was divided between General Mills and International Multifoods. International Multifoods was recently purchased by Smuckers. The Pillsbury brand is now co-owned by GM and Smuckers.

twinsfansam, you're scaring me. I'm a cheap seats person and the idea that a new stadium would lack low priced seating appalls me. To me, that's what baseball is all about--remember the days of kids who would skip school to catch a game at one of the city parks? It's one of the huge differences between baseball and the other major league sports. You can just decide impulsively that it's a good day to see a baseball game and go, it doesn't have to be a big event planned a month ahead of time. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but from what I'm hearing, and according to my baseball values system, this park might not be such a huge improvement over the Dome.

To get a stadium that straddles Minneapolis and St. Paul, it would either have to be built in the river, or on the narrow corridor near University Ave.

I think the location behind the Target Center is terrible.

I personally like it next to the river and looking out towards the river bluffs.

St. Paul location has my vote. St. Paul gets Hockey and Basball. Minneapolis can have Basketball and Football.

I'll donate to the stadium only if they get a better location other then the dump heap behind the Target Center.

Every other major airline has a stadium named for them - United, American(2), Contintal, Delta, even America West. NWA - my former employer - does not. I think they should.
NWA Stadium (the airline, not the rappers) would have . . .
- old, craky crabby vendors who run out of food and give you a complimentary 4oz glass of soda.
- games that start within 15 minutes of schedule and are considered on time.
- ability to more seats than the stadium holds and then ask for volunteers to give up their seat.
- no roof - a big chunks of metal could fall to the ground.
- security guards who patdown random selectees as they came through the turnstiles.
- limited room to stow your purse and other carry-ins.
- seats that recline into your lap.

I didn't have a chance to read every comment about the stadium proposal. But here is the response that I have. Please bear in mind that I am a native of the Northeast, and have only had the pleasure of visitng Minn. once. I did get to see a Twins game and hear Bob Casey do his Kirby intro.

I must say, what are the people who proposed this stadium thinking. Have they gotten into the Batkitties' cat-nip, have they spent to much time around Minty's helmet. AN OPEN AIR STADIUM IN MINNESOTA. HAVE THEY LOST THEIR EFF-ING MINDS. Aren't you one of the coldest states in the country. Aren't there millions of skeeters and other annoying bugs in Minnesota every summer. And the other thing I remember from my trip, many many moons ago, doesn't it get really hot and humid in Minn in the summer. I sure hope that you guys don't make the World Series, if only so wedon't have World Series game called on account of snow. I remember in 1992 the first game of the Series in Toronto they showed a picture of the Exhibition Stadium completly covered in snow. They would have had to cancel game three of that World Series. I don't mean to offend any Twins fan with that last comment, I just don't want to see a World Series game played in snow, when the Super Bowl, the sport of rain and snow and "black and blue" can't seem to have the cajones to go north, let alone outside where there precious corporate fans might be inconvenienced by having to wear pants and a real shirt. Not a t-shirt and shorts.

As for the M-Dome. I think it's a really cool stadium, except for that astro-urf you use for a playing field. I'm with Richie Ashburn on this, "If a horse won't eat it, I won't play on it."

Dear all-

HmmmmmMetsfan,you do have a point. We walk outside in the 90 degree plus humid! air and enter into the cool comfortable bug free world which is the dome. Throw your bats at me but I like climate control. A game at 40 degrees or lower does not appeal to me much either. Don't we only have 3 days a season where it is low humidity and 70 to 80 degrees???

I do,however, want to keep our Twins in town. If I understand the arguments there is not enough suites and other fancy stuff to keep the rich folk and corporate groups happy and spending lots of money which translates into revenue. I am worried, as well, about prices. The sweetie and I can manage a partial season ticket (I do feel lucky) but cripes if the seat prices go up 20 or 30 bucks--it gets tighter. And I am not that far away from my days of more modest means and I was still able to afford some games. My fear, however, still is that the big money people, without a new stadium, will likely leave town for greener playing fields and take our beloved Twins with them.

I don't suppose that a retractable roof stadium comes with screens and an air conditioner/heater?

not sure,
kal

Here's a combo of already submitted ideas:

the Wheaties Bowl: Ballpark of Champions.