TWINS AD CAMPAIGN TRIES TO SELL STADIUM TO MAN ON THE STREET

          The Twins "went on the public relations offensive" with
     a statewide radio campaign "promoting their request for a
     new ballpark," according to Jay Weiner of the Minneapolis
     STAR TRIBUNE.  Three 60-second spots began airing Friday to
     add "a human touch to the debate," said Pat Forciea, Twins
     marketing consultant.  The ads feature a "man-on-the-street
     interviewer," Mal Sharpe, telling citizens "that he's
     looking for people to build a ballpark."  Weiner notes that
     people "respond favorably."  Forciea said the ads, which
     will run for 10-14 days, will cost the team "tens of
     thousands" of dollars.  The ad campaign comes after a MN
     House committee gave the ballpark bill its first approval. 
     It included a provision to sell the vacant Met Center land
     in Bloomington and "use the proceeds to help pay off" the
     Metrodome $36M debt.  The bill "would also strip" the Dome
     of its $20M in reserves, which Weiner noted the Metropolitan
     Sports Facilities Committee "hoped to use" to refurbish the
     Metrodome for the Vikings (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/12).