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The ultimate free lunch: knotholes. The largest is an 80-foot wide slice at the ballpark's "LRT entrance" in left field off 5th Street — hardly a knothole! The first-floor glass shown here will be removed, and freeloaders can practically belly up to the left-field foul pole. Other holes will be 12-15 feet wide; it's not hard to imagine commuters squeezing together to watch a night game batting practice, or an extra-inning day game.
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Twins, graphic by David Brauer.
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An advantage of the new park is that the lower deck slopes far more gently than the Dome's heart attack-inducing climb. Fans — and paramedics — can breathe easier. And the new club seats sit roughly equal to the back of the Dome's lower deck — with a lot more legroom and private bars and bathrooms, of course.
Image courtesy of HOK Sports and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, graphics by David Brauer.
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The bottom rows of the Dome's upper deck are actually closer than the new park's private boxes. The new upper deck actually begins further back than the Dome's, because the new club deck forces everything up higher. The good news is that there are fewer upstairs rows, meaning shorter hikes to the concourses and bathrooms.
Image courtesy of HOK Sports and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, graphics by David Brauer.
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Here's an overlay of the new lower deck. Down the lines you'll see a key advantage — stands that angle toward the infield, known as "articulation." When I first saw the new park, I was bummed because those stands don't angle enough; a straight line drawn toward the field hits short-center. However, the seats will articulate further, turning you toward the most action — and away from your chiropractor.
Image courtesy of HOK Sports and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, graphics by David Brauer.
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Here's a behind-the-plate cross section of the new park, with the various decks labeled. The front row is at field level, instead of 8 to 13 feet up at the Dome. The upper deck splits into the Terrace deck, below the entrances, and the View deck above.
Image courtesy of HOK Sports and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, graphics by David Brauer.
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Here's the Dome's behind-the-plate section (black) overlaid on the new ballpark (red). Fans might be shocked that new ballpark's top row is actually a bit higher (4 feet) and further back from the plate (5 feet). The Twins site may be Wrigley-tight, but club levels and private boxes mean it can never be as squat. The new park's canopy also towers further above field level than the Dome's roof.
Image courtesy of HOK Sports and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, graphics by David Brauer.
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The left outfield's upper deck overhangs the lower deck, creating incredible intimacy; the massive high-def scoreboard is nine times bigger than the Dome's. The "Overlook" projects 8 feet into and above right field; homers can nestle there without clearing the fence. Outfield distances are Dome-like — though left-center is a park-deep 411 feet. Right-center's 23-foot high wall matches the Dome's baggie. Tickets are $15-$25.
Image courtesy of David Brauer.
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The Dome's footprint (color) and the new park (black overlay). Behind the plate, they are surprisingly similar. However, the Dome's terrible upper-deck outfield seats disappear, as do the awful third-base lower-deck seats. The new left field stands fit in the Dome's lower bowl with room to spare. Still, there are clearly fewer cheap seats.
Image courtesy of Minnesota Twins, graphics by David Brauer.
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The natural world is back! The infield forms compass points; on summer days, the sun starts over right field and moves past home plate. First base is shady; third base is for sun worshippers. When temps drop, the Twins will heat the concourses and seats under higher sections (and perhaps, under the canopy). A nice touch: heated upper-deck lounges (arrows) go windowless in nice weather.
Image courtesy of Minnesota Twins, graphics by David Brauer.
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Here's an 8-by-10 stadium glossy the Twins give out to potential suite-and seat-buyers. Any comparison between the new park and the Dome has to acknowledge these specific advantages: The new park offers more legroom, shorter rows and wider concourses with plentiful bathrooms, bars and restaurants.
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Twins.
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The Twins make money on ticket sales in two ways: First, they price most lower-deck seats like the Dome's ($25-$50), but the new park has more of them. Secondly, there's super-luxury: the $175-$275 tickets include food, beverage, waiters and valet parking. Waiters tend the $65-$75 seats. Upstairs, there are fewer seats and stiffer prices behind the plate ($25-$45) but the $12 seats down the line are the park's cheapest.
Image courtesy of MInnesota Twins, graphics by David Brauer.
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