Twins Prepared For Weather Conditions At Target Field

Twins Appear Ready To Deal With Target Field's Lack Of A Retractable Roof

While there have been "many questions surrounding the decision to go without a retractable roof" at Target Field, the Twins and their fans "appear ready to deal with whatever comes with that -- including rain delays and postponements," according to Kelly Thesier of MLB.com. Twins President Dave St. Peter: "We've accepted that reality, and I think most fans have, as well. On Winter Caravan this year, the amount of questions about the roof was amazingly few. In the past, it had been a dominant part of discussion." St. Peter added, "We all believe that we ended up with a much more character-filled ballpark, perhaps a ballpark with better sight lines. And it certainly has much more charm than some of the retractable-roof facilities you find in baseball." Thesier noted the Twins have "prepped the facility, which will seat around 39,800, for the weather." The ballpark's canopy is the "largest in the Major Leagues and will provide some protection from the cold as well as the hot sun on summer days." Radiant heaters "have been installed on the main concourse level, stretching from one foul pole to the other, and there are enclosed concession stands with standing room built on the upper deck of the ballpark." Target Field's "signature element, however, may be the celebration sign in center field that features the original Twins logo" from '61. The team's "storied history has been integrated throughout the park." Each gate will be "marked with a number that's been retired," there are atriums on the club level dedicated to Kirby Puckett and Rod Carew, and an "entire 573 bar in honor of Harmon Killebrew's career home run total" (MLB.com, 2/2).