Retractable roof on new stadium

[graingrower]

How long will it take for a decline in attendance to force the issue? I believe novelty will keep it quiet for one season.

[Coach1310]

I hear what you are saying, but the unfortunate part is current technology won't allow for it. The panels are made on site and they flown up and put on. There isn't enough room at the site to do it right now.... the other thing is, stadiums aren't built to add a roof later. With a retractable roof, the engineering on the current stadium would be much different than it is right now....

I should add that a retractable was never an option for the current site of Target Field. If they wanted a retractable stadium it would have had to have gone somewhere else.

[Scott K]

I think it will be brought up after the first couple weeks of this season. After home opener is snowed out or rained out. Or when players start getting injured from playing in 25 degrees, or when there are nobody in the stands because it is 15 degrees and windy. Or maybe it will be next year when players wont play for the Twins because they dont want to play in 20 degrees. It wont be long, I am sure it will be a huge media event after the first game cancelation because of cold/snow/rain ect. I am sure we will hear about it after people are getting sunburnt, and cant stand the 95 degree sunny days. We in MN have been spoiled to having in door sports, where it is always 70 and dry.

[solbes]

I'll take the rain outs if it means I can skip work someday and go watch baseball in the warm spring sun. Going to rain outs is not fun, but the good weather will make it all worth it. Mid April and mid to late October could be different however.

I agree that people may complain, but it won't be possible to add a roof now. Wasn't engineered to be roof ready, although that would have made sense to plan for.

[zamboni]

It's really too bad they can't move weather related games to the Dome. The place is just gonna be sitting there empty anyway.

Kind of common sense, if it is raining or below a certain temp- game will be held at the Dome.

[croixflats]

Yep another stadium pushed through, like the Dome, just because we had to have it. Cutting corners to cut cost and now were stuck with it with out possible future modifications.

[DonBo]

You people must all be high. Our climate is not much different than New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Cinncinatti, etc. etc. Major league baseball has prospered in these cities for over 100 years.

Will every day be perfect? Absolutely not. Will it be worth it on the really nice spring/summer days. Absolutely.

Would you give up a day hunting or fishing because the weather is not perfect? I hope very few of you answer yes. We've all got the outdoor gear to be comfortable in the stands no matter the weather.

Not go to the game because of the weather? What a bunch of pansies. Might as well all move to Florida or Arizona. We're Minnesotan's, get over it and enjoy the game.

BTW, I've been to the nicest stadiums with a retractable roof, Milwaukee and Seattle. They are just like being in a building with a sun roof, not at all the open air feel of a "park" as opposed a "stadium".

[blue_healer_guy]

Don Bo rules! I agree 100 percent. Baseball is meant to be played ouside, climate #'s are within a degree from what he is saying with other cities in our lat. Retracts are exactly that!

[Scott K]

Don, you are right, when it is nice out, it will be hard to beat, but unless you live within 30 miles away, I dont see to many people buying tickets ahead of time. I love the Twins, I watch or listen to about 130 games a year, and attend a couple games as well. I wont be buying any tickets more then 3 days in advance, as I dont want to take off work early to drive 1 hour to find out the game is canceled. I too feel they just rushed into this stadium just to get into a new stadium. I am sure when the newness wears off, everyone will be complaing they should have built it with a roof. Then the Twins will be saying they need a stadium with a roof.

Can anyone remember the late 70's early 80's when the Twins needed a indoor stadium to play in, because the early and late season games were too cold to play. Oh well, I am sure we will be hearing it in a couple years the same thing we heard 30 years ago.

[jeffreyd]

living in a city where we have 2 stadiums with retractable roofs, they are not worth the headache in my opinion. I went to nearly all the cards games the last 2 yrs, and can count on one hand how many times the roof was open. Same with chase field, unless it is a day game and not 200 degrees out, it will open however in the summer it is so hot, they crank the a/c and close it. while it is loud as heck i think you loose something from it being inside. i remember going to twins games in the mid 70's what a great time.

[SledNeck]

I can see the front page of the star trib now..

Target field covered in snow with the headline..REGRET

[JBMasterAngler]

I feel sorry for the kansas city royals. Now that we have an outdoor stadium, their season attendance totals are going to go way down without all the twins' fans driving down there to go to games.

[MarkAlm]

I would like to see the old startrib articles from the late 70's early 80's where it was " the sky is falling and we need a dome! " They will be screaming for one in less than 3 years cause of the cold and also pi** poor planning building next to garbage burning site. Someone will be filing suit against the sports commision when they want to buy out the burning siteto build some type of retractable dome.

[bassNspear]

I would like to see the old startrib articles from the late 70's early 80's where it was " the sky is falling and we need a dome! "quote]

isnt that the truth. Dont you think they would have thought about this when building the new stadium. Oh well, there going to have to live with alot of double headers later in the year if we get snow

[DomW]

wow...I never knew we had so many people on this forum who can't handle a little drizzle or some 40 degree temps. Like DonBo said, I think most of us have the right clothing for those games. Maybe the players will be uncomfortable, but I won't! (and they'll probably get over it right quick when they remember how much they're being paid!)

And...those retractable roof stadiums are lame...sitting in a box with no top (Seattle's is actually decent, but the rest are no good).

[Ice Hole]

For one, stadiums with retractable roofs are ugly. You completely lose the skyline because you need somewhere to put the roof. Secondly, as taxpayers, are you willing to pay the extra money (and it's not cheap) to make it comfortable for an extra 10-15 games a year?

[SledNeck]

wow...I never knew we had so many people on this forum who can't handle a little drizzle or some 40 degree temps. Like DonBo said, I think most of us have the right clothing for those games. Maybe the players will be uncomfortable, but I won't! (and they'll probably get over it right quick when they remember how much they're being paid!)

And...those retractable roof stadiums are lame...sitting in a box with no top (Seattle's is actually decent, but the rest are no good).

I can handle it, but I like to make a long weekend of it when I go to Twins games...It has been nice knowing that the game will always be played.

[zamboni]

40 degree temps aren't just rough on the crowd, they raise holy you know what on the players.

[zamboni]

For one, stadiums with retractable roofs are ugly. You completely lose the skyline because you need somewhere to put the roof. Secondly, as taxpayers, are you willing to pay the extra money (and it's not cheap) to make it comfortable for an extra 10-15 games a year?

It would be used more than 10-15 times, I would be willing to bet 30 times at least.

[Ice Hole]

Originally Posted By: Ice Hole

For one, stadiums with retractable roofs are ugly. You completely lose the skyline because you need somewhere to put the roof. Secondly, as taxpayers, are you willing to pay the extra money (and it's not cheap) to make it comfortable for an extra 10-15 games a year?

It would be used more than 10-15 times, I would be willing to bet 30 times at least.

The Twins only have nine home dates in April starting on the 12th, six of which are day games (avg temp 55-60). They have only seven night games after September 6th, which is when the avg low drops below 55.

From 1961-1981, the Twins averaged between 3-4 rainouts a year.

[graingrower]

I really enjoy watching our MN Twins. My fear is that after an innagural season at Target field, weather will impact ticket sales to a point where paying for playoff caliber talent becomes an issue with ownership. Prior to this post I felt that a winning team sold tickets-not the stadium; however, after listening to a group of season ticket holders with strong ties to the community my views have taken a pesimistic turn. I truly hope my attitude improves.

[winterwalleye]

I've been to Seattles stadium and its really nice. At least with a retractable roof you know the game will be played especially for people who live long distances.

[DonBo]

At least with a retractable roof you know the game will be played especially for people who live long distances.

You know, if you people who live "long distances" would have stepped up and said "he11 yes, tax me too" maybe we could have had another option. But the outstate folks wanted nothing to do with paying for this stadium. IMO you are the ones who will be hurt the most when a cold/snow/rain date comes along. Me? Double header...SWEET!

[Scott K]

Several years ago, me and a buddy bought season tickets and split them, and sold a bunch of them. I no longer see this as being an option for me, or with many people that live outside of the metro. After the newness wears off this season, it will show how the stadium should have had a roof. I guess they should have been called the Twin Cities Twins, instead of the MN Twins.

[DonBo]

Several years ago, me and a buddy bought season tickets and split them, and sold a bunch of them. I no longer see this as being an option for me, or with many people that live outside of the metro. After the newness wears off this season, it will show how the stadium should have had a roof. I guess they should have been called the Twin Cities Twins, instead of the MN Twins.

Again, you outstate people should have insisted on being included in the added tax to pay for this, then maybe you'd have had a say.