Target Field: Top Three Non-Baseball Things To Eliminate

[strumdatjag]

Time for the annual encouragement to the Twins to make the game day experience less annoying - Top three non-baseball things to eliminate at Target Field:

3. Stop letting the players pick their own intro music - Some of it is boring (Joe Mauer's and Doumit's intros last year), some of it is baffling (Trevor Plouffe with 70s Zeppelin song "When the Levee Breaks" - I just don't get the connection to batting) and very few good and appropriate ones (like Oswaldo Arcia's lively Hispanic intro). Get a musicologist or the person who chooses the WWE intro songs to find the appropriate songs, not the uninspired idiots with the Twins who pick the country sing-a-long songs. Certainly don't let the players pick their own songs (unless a veto is exercised regularly). Since we missed this opportunity when Jon Rauch was the closer, when 6 foot 9 inch Alex Meyer starts a game, his warm-up song should be: The Dictators - "I Stand Tall"

 

2. Get rid of the word "Guy", such as putting "P.A. Guy" on the back of an announcer's jersey.

 

1. Retire permanently - the Mayo Dance Off.

[Boom Boom]

Flush handles on the urinals. I don't want to touch that thing.

[Linus]

Flush handles on the urinals. I don't want to touch that thing.

 

Hard to argue with this one.

I want the trees back and I also want the standing room tickets back. I loved just watching the game from various locations, especially because the concourse is so open.

[James]

I'm going to have to disagree with point #3. I kind of like the fact that the players get to pick their music. It kind of gives you a little insight into their personalities. Such as, I thought it was hilarious when Escobar change his walk up music to a song from "Grease."

 

Some people need to change their music though (ahem... Joe Mauer).

 

Points 1 and 2... I have no strong opinions on. I can see how the dance off is fun though. And I'm sure the Mayo pays a lot of money to make sure that happens, so I doubt it is going anywhere.

 

Urinals need automatic flushers though.

[Old Twins Cap]

Allow other American citizens who have served their country to raise the flag for the National Anthem -- other, meaning people who are not combat veterans but nonetheless serve their country-- like teachers, volunteers, police officers, firemen, and good Samaritans.

 

The idea that the only people worthy of raising the flag are those who have served overseas, and been involved in combat and killing, fetishizes war and violence.

 

We have a lot of good people in this country. People who sacrifice, serve and believe that their efforts can make a better world. Like teachers, who work every day with kids and help them believe in themselves and engage with important issues. How about an occasional teacher raising the flag? They are baseball fans too.

 

Or anyone. The flag-raising ceremony has become a cliche, mechanical moment which is supposed to somehow prove our patriotism, by clapping for and honoring a Veteran for about a minute. Don't get me wrong, my dad served in WWII, I think we all respect and should recognize military service. Giving your life for your country, that's a noble sacrifice. And people do something analogous to that every day, mostly in unrecognized ways, many for decades and decades, serving America, helping those less fortunate and protecting the sick and vulnerable.

 

My main beef is actually that by only having Veterans raise the flag, we teach kids that war and killing are heroic things. Actually, they are not. War is a failure. It's a failure when human beings who have evolved over millenia, surviving everything the natural world has thrown at them -- climate, predators, disease, misfortune -- we made it through hundreds of thousands of years, only to kill each other because of ignorance and poor political leadership. That's a tragedy, and the sooner we acknowledge war is a failure, the better.

 

But the Twins aren't helping, and the lack of diversity in who raises the flag diminishes all of us, and perpetuates an appalling notion that war and killing is somehow the best thing human beings have ever done and something we should all aspire to. Sad.

[johnnydakota]

Agreeing with most of your sentiment....But Never forget, it is because of our Veterans that we are able to serve our country in other ways, May God continue to bless our Troops and our Veterans.

[SpitefulRabbit617]

Allow other American citizens who have served their country to raise the flag for the National Anthem -- other, meaning people who are not combat veterans but nonetheless serve their country-- like teachers, volunteers, police officers, firemen, and good Samaritans.

 

The idea that the only people worthy of raising the flag are those who have served overseas, and been involved in combat and killing, fetishizes war and violence.

 

We have a lot of good people in this country. People who sacrifice, serve and believe that their efforts can make a better world. Like teachers, who work every day with kids and help them believe in themselves and engage with important issues. How about an occasional teacher raising the flag? They are baseball fans too.

 

Or anyone. The flag-raising ceremony has become a cliche, mechanical moment which is supposed to somehow prove our patriotism, by clapping for and honoring a Veteran for about a minute. Don't get me wrong, my dad served in WWII, I think we all respect and should recognize military service. Giving your life for your country, that's a noble sacrifice. And people do something analogous to that every day, mostly in unrecognized ways, many for decades and decades, serving America, helping those less fortunate and protecting the sick and vulnerable.

 

My main beef is actually that by only having Veterans raise the flag, we teach kids that war and killing are heroic things. Actually, they are not. War is a failure. It's a failure when human beings who have evolved over millenia, surviving everything the natural world has thrown at them -- climate, predators, disease, misfortune -- we made it through hundreds of thousands of years, only to kill each other because of ignorance and poor political leadership. That's a tragedy, and the sooner we acknowledge war is a failure, the better.

 

But the Twins aren't helping, and the lack of diversity in who raises the flag diminishes all of us, and perpetuates an appalling notion that war and killing is somehow the best thing human beings have ever done and something we should all aspire to. Sad.

 

While I respect your right to an opinion, I highly disagree with your statement that it fetishized war, I also have to add that NUMEROUS past baseball players were Veterans. Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Stan the Man, on and on and on... try doing a google search. Maybe more baseball players should join the reserves like Hall of Famers like Clemente and Carew did. Do the America themed Baseball caps make it even worse then during the 4th of july? Baseball supporting the Military goes back far. Now a days, around ONE percent of the country are in the military and those people gave time (theirs and their family's) to protect their nation in the capacity they are given. I automatically respect a Veteran that has served their country,they would be a good samaritan in my opinion anyways.

[luckylager]

I love that players get to choose their walk up music. My son and I regularly play a little game of "what would my walk up song be?". Totally disagree that honoring vets by asking them to raise the flag in anyway honors war. It honors the individual who served and those they served with. Don't allow politics to take away from their sacrifice. I would love to eliminate the "Everybody Clap Your Hands" meme. It is probably the most annoying addition to the game in the last decade. Also ban "The Wave"- throw out any instigators regardless of age. That'll teach 'em. One more thing... throwing an opponent's homerun ball back onto the field should also be prohibited. It is stupid, childish, Cubs fan-like behavior. Why should a person be allowed to throw a baseball back on to the field yet throwing anything else onto the field will get you ejected? Stop it.

[ashbury]

Moderator's note: Folks, the discussion about veterans may be interesting, but it has from the start strayed pretty far from the original poster's question, to nominate (three) non-baseball things to eliminate from the ballpark experience. TD has a "Sports Bar" forum if someone wishes to start a thread on that tangent.

[Willihammer]

3. Stop letting the players pick their own intro music - Some of it is boring (Joe Mauer's and Doumit's intros last year), some of it is baffling (Trevor Plouffe with 70s Zeppelin song "When the Levee Breaks" - I just don't get the connection to batting) and very few good and appropriate ones (like Oswaldo Arcia's lively Hispanic intro). Get a musicologist or the person who chooses the WWE intro songs to find the appropriate songs, not the uninspired idiots with the Twins who pick the country sing-a-long songs. Certainly don't let the players pick their own songs (unless a veto is exercised regularly). Since we missed this opportunity when Jon Rauch was the closer, when 6 foot 9 inch Alex Meyer starts a game, his warm-up song should be: The Dictators - "I Stand Tall"

 

I re-watched some of the 1991 WS games this winter for fun. One of the things I noticed noticed was how, after Bob Casey barked a batter's name into the PA system... it went quiet. There was no music to fill in that gap. I think I liked it better that way. Home halves seemed to move a little faster.

[strumdatjag]

Sometimes the Twins make non-baseball mistakes, the top 3 I have witnessed:

3. Giving Nishi (before we knew his limitations) a check for Japan Tsunami Relief and then having the flags raised by a veteran who was a survivor of the Bataan Death March (with his Bataan Hat). Probably should have picked a different war that day.

 

2. Playing Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" during a pitching change (having previously been used to intro opponents' at-bats), allowing the song to play into its raunchy lyrics.

 

1. Announcer gives two brief heartfelt stories of young lady and young man who overcame addiction problems as part of Teen Challenge Day, then having them throw their "ceremonial pitches" and then immediately having the sound system blare Roxy Music's "Love is the Drug" as the two walked off the mound.

[TheLeviathan]

How about every schmuck who thinks the middle of the concourse makes for a good place to stop and text or anything else.

 

Can we eliminate that tendency? I've been many places and we are uniquely awful at this.

[Craig Arko]

The kiss cam.

[Steve Lein]

Time for the annual encouragement to the Twins to make the game day experience less annoying - Top three non-baseball things to eliminate at Target Field:

3. Stop letting the players pick their own intro music - Some of it is boring (Joe Mauer's and Doumit's intros last year), some of it is baffling (Trevor Plouffe with 70s Zeppelin song "When the Levee Breaks" - I just don't get the connection to batting) and very few good and appropriate ones (like Oswaldo Arcia's lively Hispanic intro). Get a musicologist or the person who chooses the WWE intro songs to find the appropriate songs, not the uninspired idiots with the Twins who pick the country sing-a-long songs. Certainly don't let the players pick their own songs (unless a veto is exercised regularly). Since we missed this opportunity when Jon Rauch was the closer, when 6 foot 9 inch Alex Meyer starts a game, his warm-up song should be: The Dictators - "I Stand Tall"

 

 

Man I couldn't disagree with you more on this, especially for Jon Rauch, considering he had the sweetest intro ever into the game to close it out:

 

 

So badass...

 

But ya, a lot of the guys music is pretty boring/dumb...

[jharaldson]

Man I couldn't disagree with you more on this, especially for Jon Rauch, considering he had the sweetest intro ever into the game to close it out:

 

 

So badass...

 

But ya, a lot of the guys music is pretty boring/dumb...

 

I love how Rauch added some flair to the video with badass looks and tattoo display. I'd love for Mauer to have fun and just do something goofy like the HBK theme, to stay with the WWE references.

 

[video=youtube;acD-AnO_rOA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acD-AnO_rOA

[70charger]

Numbers 1, 2, and 3: They need to kill the sing-along. If I hear "Fishing in the Dark" one more goddamn time, one more time, I swear I will [THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN REDACTED AND THE AUTHOR PLACED ON A "LIST" - SINCERELY, THE NSA]

[richardkr34]

3. This is a baseball-wide thing, but get rid of "God Bless America" in the stretch. Stupid song, stupid tradition.

 

2. The computer animated race stuff. Lose it.

 

1. Turn down the PA's mic. Can barely hear myself talking to the person next to me in between innings.

[eLee612]

I love that they pick their own music! I just wish they would display the song/artist somewhere while it's playing… maybe I'm hallucinating but I was pretty sure they used to put this up at the dome. Mauer is excused, as I'm pretty sure people have figured it out some time within the last eight years.

 

The dance off… 5% fun, 95% painfully awkward. Mayo is great and a significant sponsor, but I'm sure they can come up with something different.

 

My vote: Those ridiculous floppy hats that they gave away last year on Mothers Day. I took my mom to that game and the first words out of her mouth after being handed that hat were "Wow those are butt!!!!ing ugly." Fact.

[steve]

1. Leave "baseball information" up on some of the scoreboards in between innings. Between innings you get a little break and it's a good chance to catch up on other games, and update your scorecard if you've missed something. But they take everything down for the sake of ads and promotional gimmicks.

 

2. Have an "adult swim" even once a year. I know that they have lots of guys whose livelihoods are based on game production, but it all is very loud, and very much the same game in and game out. Have even one game where they drop all of that, and concentrate on baseball.

 

3. Get rid of Sue Nelson and hire a better organist. There. I've said it. Now I can burn in hell.

[Teflon]

1. Require TC Bear to wear pants or allow us not to. No more double standard.

2. Allow somebody other than a Twins fan to raise the Twins territory flag. Perhaps the hamster rancher in Luverne who supplies the hot dog meat or the volunteer from Sharing and Caring Hands who disinfects the urinal flush handles. They also provide a valuable service in Twins Territory.

3. Demonstrate to fans before each game that the WIN in the middle of the TWINS sign atop centerfield lights up independently to highlight a Twins win in case they've never seen it lit.

4. All in-park music provided by paint-bucket drummers from 6th Street.

5. No more selling 64 oz. beers on the plaza and then telling us we can't take it into the park. If that's indeed the rule, limit all beverages sold on the plaza to shots.

[Guest USAFChief]

1. $9 beers.

2. Sushi

3. $9 beers.

[scottz]

3) I will echo getting rid of God Bless America mid-game. It is forced patriotism, which I don't care for. The National Anthem at the beginning of the game honors the country and the flag, and that is sufficient. Having another patriotic song in the 7th inning subscribes to a "more is more" theory that is silly. And if it isn't silly, then let's add "Proud to be an American" in the 3rd, "You're a Grand Old Flag" in the 5th, and "This Land is Your Land" with 2 outs in the top of the 9th when the home team has a lead.

 

2) While I'm at it, can we please dump the meek fireworks that putt-putt-putt into the air during the National Anthem on cue with the lyrics "and the rockets' red glare"? They are comical and tired. Again, the song can stand on its own and doesn't need the additional pageantry. Trotting out the giant flag for opening day or Veterans Day or Game 1 of the playoffs? Fine. Flying jet fighters overhead for Game 1 of the World Series? OK - Those things are pretty cool. Shooting a few glorified bottle rockets on a Wednesday 12:10 start against the A's? No thanks. Sing the song. Sing it proudly and on key. The rest is rubbish.

 

1) No more proposals on camera.

[Shane Wahl]

Allow other American citizens who have served their country to raise the flag for the National Anthem -- other, meaning people who are not combat veterans but nonetheless serve their country-- like teachers, volunteers, police officers, firemen, and good Samaritans.

 

The idea that the only people worthy of raising the flag are those who have served overseas, and been involved in combat and killing, fetishizes war and violence.

 

We have a lot of good people in this country. People who sacrifice, serve and believe that their efforts can make a better world. Like teachers, who work every day with kids and help them believe in themselves and engage with important issues. How about an occasional teacher raising the flag? They are baseball fans too.

 

Or anyone. The flag-raising ceremony has become a cliche, mechanical moment which is supposed to somehow prove our patriotism, by clapping for and honoring a Veteran for about a minute. Don't get me wrong, my dad served in WWII, I think we all respect and should recognize military service. Giving your life for your country, that's a noble sacrifice. And people do something analogous to that every day, mostly in unrecognized ways, many for decades and decades, serving America, helping those less fortunate and protecting the sick and vulnerable.

 

My main beef is actually that by only having Veterans raise the flag, we teach kids that war and killing are heroic things. Actually, they are not. War is a failure. It's a failure when human beings who have evolved over millenia, surviving everything the natural world has thrown at them -- climate, predators, disease, misfortune -- we made it through hundreds of thousands of years, only to kill each other because of ignorance and poor political leadership. That's a tragedy, and the sooner we acknowledge war is a failure, the better.

 

But the Twins aren't helping, and the lack of diversity in who raises the flag diminishes all of us, and perpetuates an appalling notion that war and killing is somehow the best thing human beings have ever done and something we should all aspire to. Sad.

 

I agree wholemindedly with this!

[Boom Boom]

2) While I'm at it, can we please dump the meek fireworks that putt-putt-putt into the air during the National Anthem on cue with the lyrics "and the rockets' red glare"? They are comical and tired. Again, the song can stand on its own and doesn't need the additional pageantry. Trotting out the giant flag for opening day or Veterans Day or Game 1 of the playoffs? Fine. Flying jet fighters overhead for Game 1 of the World Series? OK - Those things are pretty cool. Shooting a few glorified bottle rockets on a Wednesday 12:10 start against the A's? No thanks. Sing the song. Sing it proudly and on key. The rest is rubbish.

 

The fireworks during the national anthem bother me as well. They're really tacky.

[Mike Sixel]

1. Agree on God Bless America, for a lot of reasons I won't go into here.

2. Get rid of the lack of trees in CF (cheating a bit here)

3. snobby baseball people that think there is a right way to watch, enjoy, talk about the game. It is entertatinment, and we don't need you telling us not to do "x" at the game. As long as we aren't blocking your view or hurting you, lighten up.

[James]

Numbers 1, 2, and 3: They need to kill the sing-along. If I hear "Fishing in the Dark" one more goddamn time, one more time, I swear I will [THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN REDACTED AND THE AUTHOR PLACED ON A "LIST" - SINCERELY, THE NSA]

This is the thing that most needs to happen.

[twinsnorth49]

People who can't stand up and cheer with a beer in there hand without spilling it on me. There should be a rule that if you spill your beer on someone, you owe them a beer, simple.

 

Ushers who still ask for my ticket stub despite seeing me walk back and forth to my seat every freakin' inning!!!

[blindeke]

+1 on killing "everybody clap your hands" and I'd add the "day-o" thing to that death list too.

 

complete ban on Lee Greenwood please

 

the karaoke singalong thing can go

 

i want standing room tickets!

[Guest USAFChief]

I've thought of one more thing I want gone...ushers who allow people to walk back and forth to their seat every freakin' inning!

 

[twinsnorth49]

I've thought of one more thing I want gone...ushers who allow people to walk back and forth to their seat every freakin' inning!

 

Aisle seats Chief, aisle seats......but hey if they want to install portable urinals at the seats, I'll stay seated.