Facility Notes

Twins Want To Schedule Workout At Unfinished Target Field Next Month

In St. Paul, Brian Murphy reported the Twins "want to schedule a workout at the unfinished" Target Field next month to "familiarize themselves with their new home before it officially opens" next season. The preview would allow players to "experience the sightlines from home plate and give the team a chance to correct any minor distractions before Opening Day." Twins President Dave St. Peter said that the "plan is to have players take batting practice during their Sept. 11-20 homestand" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/27).

OLYMPIC TRIALS: The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin noted the proposed Capitals-Canadiens game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium was scrapped because the "sightlines for fans and TV were problematic in the vast shell of its interior." Trying to "install and position the rink would require up to a week at a time of the year when" the CFL Alouettes "might need the space." One TV source said that he is "just as glad" the idea was dropped. The source said of Olympic Stadium, "The place is just filthy. Really, it's not a pleasant place to go any more" (GLOBESPORTS.com, 8/26).

Plans Reportedly In Progress To Make DEI's Shop Into "Graceland For NASCAR Fans"

FANTASY LAND: In Greensboro, Dustin Long reports plans are in the works to make DEI's race shop "kind of a Graceland for NASCAR fans," and there "might even be a fantasy camp where Earnhardt devotees can hear stories about the man and experience parts of his life, including fishing in his pond." Fans could "tour the shops, listen to stories about Earnhardt from family members and maybe even get into a race car." DEI Exec VP & GM Jeff Steiner said a new theme for Earnhardt's legacy will be "The Legend Lives Here." Steiner added that there are "plans to convert some of the available room at DEI into a fan experience, such as seeing Earnhardt's original shop there." Steiner noted that Earnhardt's personal car collection "numbers more than 50 vehicles and few have been publicly displayed" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 8/28).

BEHIND THESE HAZEL EYES: In St. Paul, Charley Walters reports it "appears Hazeltine National achieved its projected" $2M profit from the PGA Championship, though final numbers are not yet available. Meanwhile, the Hazeltine BOD this week approved a $14M project that "will result in a new clubhouse, greens and fairways." The clubhouse "will be demolished near the end of September, and construction will begin on a replacement" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/28).