Target Field Touch-Ups Before Game Day
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- If you're tired of looking at dirty snow, feast your eyes on the green grass of Target Field. Thanks to in-ground heating and the work of a dedicated grounds crew, this turf beat the tough winter.
"The turf right now is between 58 and 60 degrees, so the root zone of the turf is pretty happy," said Head Groundskeeper Larry DiVito. "If the Twins were playing on Friday, we'd be working longer days right now to dial it in a little more, but getting ready for a college game is not quite as stressful as the Twins."
The Twins start their season Friday on the road in Toronto and won't be at Target Field until April 8.
Still, workers are putting in the finishing touches and washing out any leftover snow for Friday's dress rehearsal when Gopher baseball takes on Purdue.
And remember those trees in center field?
They were removed last month, because batters found they made shadows that were distracting. This year batters will be looking at high-tech aluminum panels that are very dark.
"So the hitters can see the ball better coming out of the pitcher's hand," said Twins spokesperson Kevin Smith. "We had always said in the construction of Target Field that we were gonna try these trees as something special, but we always knew if they didn't work out ... we were going to remove them."
Tickets for the Gopher games on Friday and Saturday are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
