New Ballpark Impacts Future of TwinsFest

During the coming weekend, tens of thousands of Upper Midwest baseball fans will flock to the Metrodome for TwinsFest 2008. A staple of Twins baseball since 1989, TwinsFest serves as the primary fundraiser for the Twins Community Fund, and has grown into the largest team-run fan festival in all of baseball. But more important to so many great Twins fans, is the reality that TwinsFest signals spring is on the horizon and that we are only a couple weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers.

Undoubtedly, one of the most frequently asked questions at TwinsFest will revolve around the long-term future of the event.  With the new Twins ballpark slated to open in the spring of 2010, the team will no longer call the HHH Metrodome home. Moreover, the future of the Metrodome remains very much in question as the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission continues its efforts to build support for a new facility to house the various community events, future NCAA Final Fours and Minnesota Vikings football.

Despite that uncertainty, fans across the region should know that the Twins are committed to maintain the tradition of TwinsFest for future generations of fans. The event has become a Minnesota sports staple and a critical funding source for so many Twins Community Fund programs. With that commitment in mind, the team is keeping the following in mind as it shapes the long-term TwinsFest strategy:

·         Future of the Metrodome – As long as possible, the Twins would like to hold TwinsFest in the Metrodome. As the home of the Twins from 1982-2009, the Dome defines Twinsbaseball for a generation of fans. The event is confirmed for the Metrodome through 2009. However, it’s feasible that the facility may not be available to host TwinsFest as soon as January 2010. Certainly, it would appear that TwinsFest 2011 and beyond would be in jeopardy assuming a new football facility is eventually constructed at the current Metrodome site.

·         Other Venues: Some may assume the event will eventually be held in the new Twins ballpark. However, understanding the new baseball facility is of the open-air variety, the new ballpark will provide somewhat limited interior space. While some northern climate clubs do host their off-season fan festivals in their ballpark (i.e. Detroit Tigers), the team is also very likely to consider the following:

o   Minneapolis Convention Center – Largest venue; has hosted NFL Experience.

o   Target Center – Synergies based on proximity to new Twins ballpark.

o   RiverCentre/Xcel Energy Center – Perhaps the event rotates between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

o   Mall of America – The team held TwinsFest at MOA once before.

o   TBD Hotel – Many teams hold events of this nature in hotel ballrooms (i.e. Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox).

o   New Vikings Stadium – Assuming the stadium has a roof, it may be the best venue for the annual mid-winter baseball festival.

Rest assured, the Twins front office is already hard at work to ensure TwinsFest continues for years to come. The location may change but the TwinsFest traditions of autographs from current and former Twins, kids and family interactive and sports/Twins memorabilia will continue for years to come.

Win Twins!!!

Dave St. Peter

President, Minnesota Twins Baseball Club