Target Field

I was able to get to two games at Target Field this summer while at a conference. When I visited the park is in its third year of use for the Twins. Let’s start with the obvious comparison to the Metrodome which I visited in 2007. It’s a huge improvement even though they started from a pretty low standpoint. However, it’s not a great ballpark. I don’t know all the details of how they acquired the land and everything but the seating area in the outfield seems crowded and really high. The right field seats are extremely steep and there are no lower seats in right field. This makes for a lot of high fence area and presumably more doubles/fewer home runs. A problem with the seats on the third base line is the surrounding buildings at sunset. Starting about the second inning [in mid-June] the sun’s reflection is really distracting and stays that way until the end of the fourth.

One thing I can say about how the stadium was designed; there is a clear and unobstructed view of the Target Center next door and there happens to be a huge neon Target sign viewable from the third base side. I suppose if you pay for the naming rights to both facilities, you can advertise all you like. Just like mascot race in the fourth inning which pits the Target Dog against semi-random creatures like Babe the blue ox [which kind of makes sense], and a mosquito, and a goldfish, and some kind of bird. One the plus side, the limestone is a nice touch, the sightlines from the seats are good, and the staff are very friendly. There are also two jumbo-trons. A larger one in left field and a smaller one in right. Neither wins the award for the biggest screen but the dual screens are nice.

Minnesota also has a nice fan base. I found it interesting when something bad would happen the fans would say, “dang it” or “jeez it”. There was a good crowd for both games while the Twins were in last place in the division and were tied for the third worst record in baseball. Attendance was about 32,000 for each game on a Tuesday and Wednesday night. The first game was Jim Thome’s first time back this season and still clearly a fan favorite despite only being there for 1.5 seasons. The crowd gave a standing ovation his first at bat and cheered loudly every subsequent at bat. However, there was one fan who kept saying ‘good pitch!’ – which turned out to be a ball every time. The highlight was yelling “hit it under the Budweiser sign!” trying to urge his home team to hit a home run. Unfortunately the big Bud sign is in foul territory. There is a smaller Bud sign on the left field wall, but you would think his cheer would be to hit it over the Bud sign.

The games I saw were interleague play against the Phillies. Philadelphia was expected to run away with the division again but found themselves in last place with a number of injuries, most notable Roy Halladay. If I was hoping to see pitching duels, I picked the wrong two games. Both match-ups were blowouts. There were 56 hits and 36 runs scored in two games with 11 home runs. Both games were fairly closely contested. With the Twins winning the first and the Phillies winning the second. The Twins probably would have won both games except for the starting pitcher was injured at the start of the game. PJ Walters gave up four consecutive hits with no out before coming out of the game. All four batters would score in a six run first inning.

Bottom line is this is a very nice ballpark. Not great, but a good place to see a game.

Minute Maid Park

I was able to get to my first two games at Minute Maid Park or what was originally built as Enron Park. It’s a bit of an imposing building near downtown – but not by the massive cluster of hospitals. I was at a hotel near the park so I was able to walk to/from the games. Fortunately it was April so the weather was pretty nice. Sadly, the exterior of the park is pretty boring. I walked the perimeter hoping for some grand entry way. When I talked to the guys at the home plate entrance, they informed me this was the grand entrance. I was underwhelmed. 

Once inside, the iconic wall behind left field was present, but not particularly interesting. During the games the train moved back & forth a few times at seemingly random intervals. The retractable roof was open for both games. The roof, when retracted, is basically over a small parking lot behind right field. I suppose this is considered behind the ballpark and is utilitarian rather than aesthetic. I was there for opening week of baseball but not opening day. The Astros were expected to do poorly this year [as we approach the All-Star break, they’re living up to that expectation] which probably accounted for the poor showing in the stands. Add into that some fan anger that Hunter Pence was gone. They were playing the Braves who were coming off the amazing end-of-season run that put them in the playoffs last year, but expectations for the Braves season were not too high. Despite being opening week this was going to be the only time the Braves were in Houston this year and was the first stop on the Chipper Jones farewell tour. Craig Biggio made a pre-game appearance and gave Chipper a cowboy hat. [*yawn*] Neither team had much in the way of star power this season.

For the first game, JA Happ got the win for the Astros. Not because he pitched particularly well, but his offense scored 8 runs. For the second game, Tommy Hanson picked up the win for the braves in a decent outing. Of note for the second game, Chipper Jones hit a home run and Jordan Schafer stole 3 bases.

I sat on the 3^rd base side for both games. Once in the club level and once lower level towards home plate. The fans were fairly apathetic but at least cheered at the right times. During the second game I was talking with one of the locals who looked to be in his early 30’s. He was trying to convince me [or perhaps trying to convince himself] that the Astrodome was a better ballpark. This goes against everything I’ve heard from other Houston baseball fans. He said, “This is like watching baseball in a Kleenex box.” Which I found strange because despite the park being drab, at least it wasn’t indoors on fake grass.

Overall I think this is a decent park but not great by any measure.