The Twins' hopes of playing three outdoor games in a
temporary ballpark (see THE DAILY, 8/14) "may be squelched"
by the Vikings' "refusal to sign a waiver agreeing that no
precedent would be set," according to Dennis Brackin of the
Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The waiver is one of four criteria
for the plan set by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities
Commission in a letter to Twins officials Tuesday night. The
commission oversees leases for both the Twins and Vikings at
the Metrodome and "must give approval." Vikings President
Gary Woods said that he "supports the Twins' efforts but will
not sign the wavier," calling it "a matter of principle." He
said that the Vikings "have no legal standpoint to be
involved because the two teams have separate leases with the
commission." Twins CEO Chris Clouser said Wednesday that he
is "not willing to throw in the towel" despite what he called
"unbelievable roadblocks." Clouser said that the Twins "have
made deposits on several items, including bleachers to seat
25,000 people, that are set to expire this week." Clouser is
"optimistic" an agreement can be reached: "This is not a
crazy lark. A little bit wild, maybe ... but we're not
giving up" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/17).
DAY TRIP: Also in Minneapolis, Rochelle Olson reports
that a day trip Wednesday to Enron Field in Houston
"solidified support" on a Twins panel for a new ballpark back
home -- "without providing clear insight into how to pay for
it." The Twins paid the $21,000 bill for a charter flight to
take 42 members of Minnesotans for MLB to Enron for the day.
The purpose of the trip was to "show the Minnesotans an urban
ballpark with a retractable roof and give them a chance to
talk to civic leaders in an area that wrestled with a stadium
issue" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/17).
