Article: Minnesota Baseball Goes Back Inside

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins played their first spring training game Friday, but baseball-starved Minnesotans didn't have to make the 1,700-mile trek to Fort Myers to catch a live game.

 

The Gophers played their first baseball game in U.S. Bank Stadium history, beating Seattle University 13-4. In terms of how the venue transformed to accommodate baseball, it was clear a lot of inspiration was taken from the building that formerly stood at the corner of 4th Street & Chicago Ave.Indeed, it seemed the more things change the more they stay the same, as the field shares some striking similarities to the Metrodome. It's got the baggy out in right field, the awkwardly folded up football seats in center, foul "poles" ascending down from the roof -- it's almost like they've created an homage to the old dome sweet dome. And while there will always be something unnatural about baseball being played indoors (let alone in a stadium designed for football), it's still February baseball in Minnesota.

 

A few of the things that looked out of place ranged from the visually unpleasing (industrial looking temporary dugouts, lack of dirt around the bases) to legit safety concerns: an awkward mound that's part turf and part dirt, no warning tracks, and not as much netting to protect fans as you'd see at an MLB stadium. And there's also the issue that the tickets ($10, all are general admission) and concessions all cost about the same as what I typically paid at Target Field last season.

 

This was my first time inside U.S. Bank Stadium, and while I enjoyed exploring around some, it was a bit disappointing that seating was limited to the sections along the first base line and behind home plate. But even with those negatives I just listed, I'd go back to another game.

 

Again, this is baseball being forced indoors, so it's never going to be perfect. But the most important thing is this configuration works, and it's going to give hundreds of Minnesota kids a chance to play real games in a pretty cool venue during late winter/early spring.

 

As far as the game went, things didn't get off to a great start for the Gophers, as they fell behind 3-0. But once the bats got rolling it was big inning after big inning, as they scored 13 unanswered runs. Senior catcher Matt Stemper hit the first home run in the stadium's history, and finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs. Toby Hanson was another bright spot, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

 

Lucas Gilbreath, who is trying to transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season, showed some positive signs, striking out five batters, but he also walked six over his three innings of work. Tyler Hanson came out of the pen to provide the Gophers 3 2/3 shutout innings.

 

Friday' Gopher victory was the opener of a three-game series against Seattle U. The two teams square off again Saturday at 6 p.m., then close things out Sunday at 1 p.m..

 

 

Between now and late April around 140 baseball games will be played at the Metrodo ... er, U.S. Bank Stadium. Along with the Gophers, some other local college team's from the NSIC and MIAC will make appearances, as well as a number of high schools. Entry to non-Gopher games will be $5. Here is a full list of baseball games scheduled form the stadium's official website.

 

Click here to view the article

[Otto von Ballpark]

Thanks for the report! What were concessions like? It will be my first trip to the stadium too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Also, for those that don't like the normal $11 cost of adult admission, next weekend is the DQ Classic and you can get 4 tickets for $20 with this voucher:

 

https://www.mygophersports.com/ArticleMedia/Files/Baseball2017DQClassic4-PackVoucher.pdf

 

And if you know any U of M faculty/staff, March 5 they can get 2 free tickets:

 

https://www.mygophersports.com/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=faculty-staff&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

[Tom Froemming]

Thanks for the report! What were concessions like? It will be my first trip to the stadium too.

 

Paid $9.25 for a 16 oz. craft beer and $10 for a basket of chicken strips & fries. Had your typical ballpark fare: burgers, hot dogs, brats, nachos.

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

Paid $9.25 for a 16 oz. craft beer and $10 for a basket of chicken strips & fries. Had your typical ballpark fare: burgers, hot dogs, brats, nachos.

Did they hold a gun on you?

[Tom Froemming]

Did they hold a gun on you?

 

Ha! I've gotten over the sticker shock of event food & drink prices, that's just kinda the going rate these days. But the next one of these games I go to I'll definitely plan on eating a meal beforehand.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Paid $9.25 for a 16 oz. craft beer and $10 for a basket of chicken strips & fries. Had your typical ballpark fare: burgers, hot dogs, brats, nachos.

Inquiring minds want to know:   was it good?

[theBOMisthebomb]

Us Bank Stadium is a rich man's stadium. It's disappointing they charge Vikings prices at Gophers baseball games.

[DJSim22]

Thanks for the info and the video.  The dimensions of the dome were 343, 408, and 327 I think.  Does anyone know what the dimensions are at US Bank?  Very similar?

[Teflon]

The Metrodome has got to be rolling over in its grave right now. 

[kydoty]

Just looks like a much fancier Metrodome to me.

[Thrylos]

Interesting.  At least they are not playing and destroying Target Field...

[Tom Froemming]

 

Inquiring minds want to know:   was it good?

Eh, it was ok.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Interesting.  At least they are not playing and destroying Target Field...

Yeah, leave that to Kenny Chesney. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Thanks for the info and the video. The dimensions of the dome were 343, 408, and 327 I think. Does anyone know what the dimensions are at US Bank? Very similar?

330, 400, 305

 

Edited February 26, 2017 by spycake

[Taildragger8791]

Interesting that they show dirt around the bases in that graphic but didn't do it for real. I wonder if it's too difficult to clean it out of the fancy pants field-turf without damaging it?

[spinowner]

 

330, 400, 305

tmp_8295-1ubase02241online1522861133.png

Funny how the graphic shows the stadium full of fans.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Funny how the graphic shows the stadium full of fans.

And I don't think any of those sections are even open for these games! Maybe they are still waiting to file out after a monster truck show?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This was my first time inside U.S. Bank Stadium, and while I enjoyed exploring around some, it was a bit disappointing that seating was limited to the sections along the first base line and behind home plate. But even with those negatives I just listed, I'd go back to another game.

Tom: did there appear to be any kind of bag or outside food/beverage policy?  I know Vikings games are super-restrictive in that regard, but I am guessing college baseball games are not?

[Tom Froemming]

 

Tom: did there appear to be any kind of bag or outside food/beverage policy?  I know Vikings games are super-restrictive in that regard, but I am guessing college baseball games are not?

According to the stadium's website you can bring in soft-sided bags, 12" x 6" x 12" is the max size. No outside food is allowed, which is a huge bummer.

 

Target Field is really awesome in that respect; they let you bring in pretty much whatever outside food you want. Their only rule is you eat it in the general seating areas (not inside any of the bar/restaurant areas inside the stadium).  

 

USBS has the same entrance system as Target Field: basically empty your pockets and/or open your bag for inspection and walk through a metal detector.

 

Also, one last update, based on some of the photos/video I've seen from the Sat. & Sun. games they opened up different sections for fans to sit. Not more sections, but they shifted the open ones to more behind home plate (and also more behind the safety netting).

[Dave The Dastardly]

"USBS has the same entrance system as Target Field: basically empty your pockets"

 

Tom, you got that right.

[kydoty]

I know it will never happen, but I want mind the Twins playing an exhibition game or two at US Bank Stadium just for the nostalgia feeling. Hell, they could make it a charity event and I bet it would get a decent crowd.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I got a chance to go to a game inside this weekend, Sunday afternoon.

 

It's a little weird -- you have to enter the stadium on the NW side, and then walk all the way around the concourse inside to sit on the SW side.  Makes it quite a trek for a family.  (The concession stand seemed pretty disorganized too, in contrast to my experiences at Target Field. We waited for 5 minutes at a register, received no service, and we left.)

 

It did feel a little lacking compared to the Dome, although I remember the Dome feeling most inadequate during afternoon games too.  I probably would have enjoyed the experience more if it wasn't ~60 degrees and dry outside.

[Sarah]

I went to the Gophers baseball game last weekend and agree with the comments here - I found the storage container-type dugouts and the no dirt infield kind of bizarre but other than that it was a perfectly fine place to watch indoor baseball. Much better than being outside in March...but I do agree about the concessions, they cost more than the game ticket. I parked in the lot kitty corner across from the stadium that is skyway connected although I didn't see how you'd get up there from the concourse so I figured it wasn't open for these games. It was just a short walk across the street though so pretty convenient and I think it was $7 to park. My high school baseball team is playing a game there in April so I'll be back.