How about that outdoor baseball??

[DonBo]

Milwaukee (with their covered stadium) opened in Chicago

Kansas City opened in Detroit

Arizona opened in Cincinatti

Tampa Bay opened in Baltimore

The sun still came up in the East...life goes on.

[Ice Hole]

A number of sources have estimated that a retractable roof would have cost in excess of $125 million. As a taxpayer, who's willing to eat that additional cost in order to save 6-10 games a year? Or as an owner of a business, would it be cost-effective? Not easy decisions.....

I also agree with toughguy.....retractable roofs certainly don't enhance the aesthetics as I've been to both of those parks he pictured, along with a couple other open-air stadiums. I understand the frustration from those who have longer drives, but in the end, it is a business and the decision has to make sense financially.

[Scott K]

The reason Hennipen County gets the bill for it, it is in Hennipen County! The new stadium will generate money, it attracks people from other counties to spend their money in Hennipen co. In the long run it is suppose to pay for itself, by the extra money spent, and taxes paid by the people going to the game. All these people that go the game spend money, and pay taxes on the things they buy,restaurants they eat in, and that money is suppose to go to paying for the stadium!

[Doonbuggy]

Life isn't fair, but remember they had to have a plan that could get enough votes at the Legislature and with the Hennepin County commissioners.

I for one am glad we are getting taxed so we can get a new ballpark. If it's anything like PNC Park in Pittsburgh, it will be one awesome place.

And I'm glad they are not making it "roof ready". That way we won't even have to have the conversation about adding a roof later.

To those who live outstate, I hear ya on the weather but all of us in the metro who drive north for a fishing weekend or longer still go despite high water, low water, too little wind, too much wind, too many baitfish, too cloudy, too hot, too cold, etc. It's called life. (PS - there are other neat things to do in the Twin Cities if a game happens to get rained out).

As for not adding a roof, it was discussed in the legislature. One plan was to have a tax on outstate MN. It never gained traction and the Twins didn't push for it because of the cost, $100-150M. In reviewing past weather it was determined they'll average six rainouts a year. Not enough to justify a roof.

Since all of our other sports are played indoors, it's about time we have an outdoor ballpark.

In this state, people ice fish, ski, snowmobile, dogsled, etc. Are we not tough enough to grab a jacket and go to a ball game? I think the Dome has softened some people up.

Finally, what's worse, wearing a jacket in April or going INSIDE on a beautiful July evening.

Based on the drawings and everything I've read this ballpark is going to be stunning. Let's enjoy what we've got in the works.

Go Twins.

DB

[kilkercal615]

 Originally Posted By: PierBridge

It's baseball its meant to be played outside we have 81 home games a year and we'll be just fine......were lucky to have a new stadium at all.

A roof would be great but no one wants to step up and pay for it. Personally I think Pollad should pay for the roof since we are paying for the statium. After all he is one of the richest owners in baseball. I have never gotten to experience Twins baseball outside like baseball is supposed to be played because I am only 20 and was not around for the Met...I am pumped and can't wait. I don't think it will be as bad as people think. The first week to ten days of the season and manybe 6-8 games rained out. It will give us a chance to expeirence double headers.

[toughguy]

Well said doonbuggy.

[The_King48]

 Originally Posted By: 4wanderingeyes

The reason Hennipen County gets the bill for it, it is in Hennipen County! The new stadium will generate money, it attracks people from other counties to spend their money in Hennipen co. In the long run it is suppose to pay for itself, by the extra money spent, and taxes paid by the people going to the game. All these people that go the game spend money, and pay taxes on the things they buy,restaurants they eat in, and that money is suppose to go to paying for the stadium!

So if its January 5 and I go out to eat with my wife at a restraunt and I pay for the bill (plus the tax for the stadium) that means I went out to dinner because I went to a twins game???? Thats a bunch of !@#$.... They should of put a tax on the Twins tickets, parking, food, beer, pop ect. at the Twins games. That way the people who use it, pay for it....... OR they could've taxed the STATE OF MN since its the MN TWINS..... The only reason its a metro tax is because all of the [word filter] that live out of the metro would've voted it down..... Just my opinion, but this is why the govn. sucks....

[The_King48]

By the way, I live in Henn. County.... Just in case you didn't know....lol

[kilkercal615]

 Originally Posted By: Doonbuggy

In this state, people ice fish, ski, snowmobile, dogsled, etc. Are we not tough enough to grab a jacket and go to a ball game? I think the Dome has softened some people up.

Finally, what's worse, wearing a jacket in April or going INSIDE on a beautiful July evening.

I agree we live in Minnesota we are supposed to be tough. On a cool April night grab a jacket and go enjoy yourself. Most of us on this site are "outdoors men" why would you want to go inside to watch baseball when you could watch it outside on a buitiful Minnesota night.

[The_King48]

I do like that fact that we have a new stadium on the way and there is no roof on it...... Think of summer when its 90 out and the ladies are wearing.... ( I will let you use ur imagination)

[kilkercal615]

 Originally Posted By: The_King48

I do like that fact that we have a new stadium on the way and there is no roof on it...... Think of summer when its 90 out and the ladies are wearing.... ( I will let you use ur imagination)

I like the way you think!!!

[Scott K]

 Originally Posted By: The_King48

 Originally Posted By: 4wanderingeyes

The reason Hennipen County gets the bill for it, it is in Hennipen County! The new stadium will generate money, it attracks people from other counties to spend their money in Hennipen co. In the long run it is suppose to pay for itself, by the extra money spent, and taxes paid by the people going to the game. All these people that go the game spend money, and pay taxes on the things they buy,restaurants they eat in, and that money is suppose to go to paying for the stadium!

So if its January 5 and I go out to eat with my wife at a restraunt and I pay for the bill (plus the tax for the stadium) that means I went out to dinner because I went to a twins game???? Thats a bunch of !@#$.... They should of put a tax on the Twins tickets, parking, food, beer, pop ect. at the Twins games. That way the people who use it, pay for it....... OR they could've taxed the STATE OF MN since its the MN TWINS..... The only reason its a metro tax is because all of the cheap punkers that live out of the metro would've voted it down..... Just my opinion, but this is why the govn. sucks....

Not only is the team benifiting from the stadium, all the restaurants and small stores, parking lots are all making money from the stadium, if the Twins built a stadium in Eden Prairie instead of Mlps none of them stores would be making any where as much as they are now. All them places around the Dome, Target Center, make huge money off of fans, and if the teams moved out of the area, they wouldnt be in business. So to have just the ticket buyers pay for it would be wrong, because all the local stores , bars, restaurants all profit alot from them being there.

[Cicada]

King48, just try to look at the bill as an investment in your community. You may have to pay more for dinner out with your wife in January. How much would would you pay towards the stadium on a $50.00 meal? Not being sarcastic or anything, I really don't know what impact it would have on the locals.

I remember going from Cooperstown, North Dakota to the Twin Cities a few times to take in a game at the Met. It only rained once and it was a delay in the game ,not a rainout. We kids loved that. It was a long ride for a three hour plus game.

[PierBridge]

I knew I could turn this thread around......

Go Twins!

[The_King48]

 Originally Posted By: Cicada

King48, just try to look at the bill as an investment in your community. You may have to pay more for dinner out with your wife in January. How much would would you pay towards the stadium on a $50.00 meal? Not being sarcastic or anything, I really don't know what impact it would have on the locals.

I remember going from Cooperstown, North Dakota to the Twin Cities a few times to take in a game at the Met. It only rained once and it was a delay in the game ,not a rainout. We kids loved that. It was a long ride for a three hour plus game.

You are right on a 50.00 meal.... What about if I buy a 40,000 vehicle, boat, or whatever.... I'm just saying it all adds up. The whole state of MN enjoys the twins for the most part.. I don't know why such a small percentage of us has to pay for the stadium. Then when its paid for do you think they will take the tax off???? I don't think so, it never happens.... Just gives me one more of many reasons to hate it here in the metro. I wish I could convince the wife to get the [PoorWordUsage] out of here...lol

[Coach1310]

 Originally Posted By: Ice Hole

but in the end, it is a business and the decision has to make sense financially.

If this is the case then we should have built another Metrodome. One of the few sports complexes in the US that is self sufficient and makes money without the governments help.

I think the new stadium is gonna be awesome and I don't have a huge problem with it not having a roof as far as baseball is concerned,(a few rainouts or cold weather games I can live with) but the inability to use it during the crappy weather times of the year after spending all that money makes me wonder a little.

I live outstate and if I have tickets on a crappy weather day I will be there barring torrential rains or something. It is gonna be a fun place to watch a game on a clear July night. I'm looking forward to it.

[DonBo]

[tisosy11]

Bundle up kids, time to go to the twins game!

[tisosy11]

100 degrees and humid, lets go to the twins game!

[Farley]

I for one dont mind paying for the new stadium by paying higher taxes in Hennipen County. It's not that much.

[mr_jman]

I'd go to the Twins games and sit outside. They do it in Boston, New York, and Baltimore out East. Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit in the Central! We are the only team in the AL Central who doesn't play outside! Provided the Royals play in a warmer area early on, Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit aren't exactly comfortable! Fans still show up and I would still show up! They are building that concourse to keep you warm and still see the game. GO TWINS - bring some hand warmers! LOL! I've toughed out some ROUGH days on the open ice I think I can sit there to watch the Twins play!

[DonBo]

mr_jman, I agree. No, I don't look forward to sitting in the cold and maybe snow, but I don't let that stop me from sitting a tree or on the ice. We're OUTDOORSMEN! We've all got the clothes for being outdoors.

I'm going. To those who won't because of a little cold, or heat, well the better seats for me.

[tisosy11]

Those seats are all yours...I won't be bundling up for a Twins opener!

[zamboni]

[[PoorWordUsage] that its only the county and not the state since people outside of the metro enjoy the twins... The twins have lots of fans from N. Dakota S. Dakota and Iowa but its only Henn. county paying.... Sorry just venting here..

[kilkercal615]

 Originally Posted By: mr_jman

I'd go to the Twins games and sit outside. They do it in Boston, New York, and Baltimore out East. Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit in the Central! We are the only team in the AL Central who doesn't play outside! Provided the Royals play in a warmer area early on, Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit aren't exactly comfortable! Fans still show up and I would still show up! They are building that concourse to keep you warm and still see the game. GO TWINS - bring some hand warmers! LOL! I've toughed out some ROUGH days on the open ice I think I can sit there to watch the Twins play!

Couldn't say it better