The Wait Is Over ... Twins Return To Target Field
Gallery: Fans Come Out Early For Home Opener
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Baseball fans -- your wait is now over. The Minnesota Twins return to Target Field today, for their home opener against the Los Angeles Angels.
But before 40,000 fans can even enter, crews have been working to get everything just right.
In nine hours, roughly 40,000 seats will be filled with fans hungry for baseball. Though today is the day baseball season gets into full swing in Minnesota, Target Field has been a busy place for weeks.
The turf is covered just before Thanksgiving. Throughout the winter, it's heated so it doesn't freeze.
It's fertilized several times throughout the season and trimmed every two or three days.
The warmer winter made this season's field preparations easier. Turf blankets were peeled off earlier than anticipated. So, work on the field got started sooner, too.
"It's a lot of work," says Larry Davito, Head Ground Keeper. "But it's fun work. The weather can be difficult at times, but that's where the challenge is."
Watch the video above to see how it's all done.
The Twins are celebrating the home opener with a noon rally at the IDS Crystal Court in downtown Minneapolis.
Members of the 2002 Twins AL Central Division Champion team will lead the crowd to Target Field.
Gates open at 1 p.m., with each Twins legend or a family member opening their respective gate.
First pitch against the Angels is set for 3:10 p.m.
The parking ramps A, B, C and Hawthorne are full. Parking is still available in other ramps and lots downtown. You can also take the light rail or Metro Transit buses to the game. And there are plenty of bike stands at Target Field, plus NiceRide kiosks nearby.
There will be a new statue coming to the plaza, too.
Former Twins first baseman and Bloomington-native Kent Hrbek will be the next player to be enshrined in bronze.
Tony Oliva was on hand when he unveiled his statue last year.
The unveiling will take place outside of Gate 14, named after Hrbek's retired number this Saturday.
His statue will be the seventh outside the Target Field gates.
Chris Stanford Races Mascots
