New Twins Ballpark - The Saga Begins

Teflon Skies · 04-06-2003, 01:07 PM

In 1997, the Minnesota Twins hired the local architectural firm of Ellerbe Beckett (designers of Bank One Ballpark) to create a concept for a new Twins downtown baseball stadium. The result was a retractable roofed ballpark that seated 42,000. The model was unveiled by the Twins in November of that year and since then, the stadium issue has polarized much of Minnesota. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission, and the State Legislature have all argued over the need, placement, design, and financing of the ballpark.

Alas, in 2003 Minnesota finds itself in a budget deficit after years of surplus upon surplus. If a stadium plan couldn't get worked out in those best of times, it now seems unlikely that it will in these worst of times. Our former governor/talk show host/all-star wrestler/XFL announcer did find the funding, however, for a billion dollar light rail project that no one seems to have wanted or will ride. The new stadium could have been built for only a portion of that.

Anyhoo, enough history. Based on the two images in this post, I set out to make as faithful a rendition of the Ellerbe Becket concept as possible. I will attach that in the next post.

Teflon Skies · 04-06-2003, 01:41 PM

This is my baby - a work of love. Twins Park sits on the north side of the Mississippi river from downtown Minneapolis, not far from the falls of St. Anthony. A retractable roof covers a plaza to the outside of the left field portion of the stadium when not in use and rolls along tracks to cover the stadium from snow or rain as needed. (The tracks were designed to look like an old train bridge - complete with stone moorings.) When the roof is deployed the ballpark is not enclosed, merely covered. For this reason the ball tends to not carry when games are played under the roof because the air is either cold or damp. On most nights, from mid May to the end of September, however, the weather is glorious and the stadium offers a stunning view of the falls, river, and downtown skyline. The blue "baggies" from the Metrodome walls were recycled to provide the facings on the left field and right field stands as well as the batter's eye so homeruns in those directions will still hit against the billowing fabric behind the outfield walls. The retired numbers of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, and Jackie Robinson are displayed on jersies on the facing of the left field stands.

Capacity: 42,000

Left Field Line: 330 ft
Left Field: 355 ft
Left Center: 376 ft
Center Field: 408 ft
Right Center: 360 ft
Right Field: 345 ft
Right Field Line: 320 ft

Fences: 8 ft.

LedgerSko · 04-06-2003, 01:52 PM

simply amazing!!!

Andy · 04-06-2003, 02:35 PM

Beautiful!

Psicosis · 04-06-2003, 04:27 PM

That is UNBELIEVABLE. Phenomenal job, man. Beautiful ballpark.

BillyBuck · 04-06-2003, 05:02 PM

Fantastic, Teffy! Keep up the great work!

twins15 · 04-06-2003, 05:06 PM

That looks awesome. Now, if only they would really build it.

asaintsfan · 04-06-2003, 05:22 PM

dude!!!!!

I have to make an expansion TWINS team now...............

Freaking AWESOME!!!!!!

Kelric · 04-06-2003, 05:36 PM

I've always wondered what team that park was supposed to be for. Nice work.

KC · 04-06-2003, 05:36 PM

You REALLY have outdone yourself this time.

adventureran · 04-06-2003, 05:49 PM

I'm not sure what I enjoy more the ballpark itself or the atmosphere your storylines always create. Thanks!

The Professor · 04-06-2003, 07:19 PM

Fantastic! This may well be my favorite...

MBL2003 · 04-06-2003, 07:29 PM

Teflon Skies Ballpark Designs: BETTER than Ellerbe Beckett, BETTER than HOK, BETTER than all of 'em! As always, great work.

athletics72_73_74 · 04-06-2003, 07:45 PM

As a fellow Twins fan who has played in that horrible dome and has watched a few hundred games in that place.

I AM WIPING TEARS FROM MY EYES!

Great work my man!

Your work sets a very high standard for anyone that tries to make a staduim!

Thank you!

TwinMonster · 04-06-2003, 08:49 PM

Loving it Teffy. If only they had ditched the worthless train system....

Dark Horse · 04-06-2003, 09:06 PM

Another winner looks like the Twin Cities Lumberjax have a new home!!!

Way to go, Teflon!

Wrigley · 04-09-2003, 11:43 AM

Teflon -

Simply incredible work man. That's beautiful.
It may be sacrelidge, but....Is there any chance of a version without the Twins logo? This would be awesome in a fictional league.

Great job. Coming to this board is like getting a patch or upgrade for the game.

Wrigley

satchel · 04-09-2003, 02:37 PM

Looks like the NPBL’s Minnesota Wolfpack just got a new stadium.

Teflon Skies · 04-09-2003, 08:57 PM

Okay - here's the Twins Stadium without the Twins and MLB logos. I took the liberty of calling it Teflon Field.

By the way - just a reminder that you can find my ballparks in bitmap format at http://hall-fame.com/ballparks.html . The site also has the Park.dat and Parkconfig.dat files for all of the ballparks.

Joe Canadian · 04-09-2003, 10:27 PM

Amazing as always

.

04-06-2003, 01:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Teflon Skies Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	New Twins Ballpark - The Saga Begins In 1997, the Minnesota Twins hired the local architectural firm of Ellerbe Beckett (designers of Bank One Ballpark) to create a concept for a new Twins downtown baseball stadium. The result was a retractable roofed ballpark that seated 42,000. The model was unveiled by the Twins in November of that year and since then, the stadium issue has polarized much of Minnesota. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission, and the State Legislature have all argued over the need, placement, design, and financing of the ballpark. Alas, in 2003 Minnesota finds itself in a budget deficit after years of surplus upon surplus. If a stadium plan couldn't get worked out in those best of times, it now seems unlikely that it will in these worst of times. Our former governor/talk show host/all-star wrestler/XFL announcer did find the funding, however, for a billion dollar light rail project that no one seems to have wanted or will ride. The new stadium could have been built for only a portion of that. Anyhoo, enough history. Based on the two images in this post, I set out to make as faithful a rendition of the Ellerbe Becket concept as possible. I will attach that in the next post. Attached Images

04-06-2003, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Teflon Skies Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	OOTP Version of New Twins Ballpark This is my baby - a work of love. Twins Park sits on the north side of the Mississippi river from downtown Minneapolis, not far from the falls of St. Anthony. A retractable roof covers a plaza to the outside of the left field portion of the stadium when not in use and rolls along tracks to cover the stadium from snow or rain as needed. (The tracks were designed to look like an old train bridge - complete with stone moorings.) When the roof is deployed the ballpark is not enclosed, merely covered. For this reason the ball tends to not carry when games are played under the roof because the air is either cold or damp. On most nights, from mid May to the end of September, however, the weather is glorious and the stadium offers a stunning view of the falls, river, and downtown skyline. The blue "baggies" from the Metrodome walls were recycled to provide the facings on the left field and right field stands as well as the batter's eye so homeruns in those directions will still hit against the billowing fabric behind the outfield walls. The retired numbers of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, and Jackie Robinson are displayed on jersies on the facing of the left field stands. Capacity: 42,000 Left Field Line: 330 ft Left Field: 355 ft Left Center: 376 ft Center Field: 408 ft Right Center: 360 ft Right Field: 345 ft Right Field Line: 320 ft Fences: 8 ft. Attached Images Last edited by Teflon Skies; 04-06-2003 at 01:46 PM.

04-06-2003, 02:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andy All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 1,585 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Beautiful! __________________ My CD Collection

04-06-2003, 05:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
BillyBuck Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: KC, MO Posts: 436 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Fantastic, Teffy! Keep up the great work! __________________ Kansas City Crows - FEBL Champions 2006 and 2007 Oslo Mountain Dawgs - WBL Champions 2004 and 2005

04-06-2003, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
twins15 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Area 51 Posts: 4,792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	That looks awesome. Now, if only they would really build it. __________________ "Ah man we're just hungry man" - Dovonte Edwards Bismarck Boy Scouts of the OTBL - league yes-man Ross Gload at baseball-reference.com Book Quotes and Book Lists

04-06-2003, 01:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
LedgerSko All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,085 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1x in 1 post	simply amazing!!!

04-06-2003, 04:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Psicosis Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 229 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	That is UNBELIEVABLE. Phenomenal job, man. Beautiful ballpark.

04-06-2003, 05:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
asaintsfan Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Born and raised in New Orleans LA Posts: 249 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2x in 1 post	dude!!!!! I have to make an expansion TWINS team now............... Freaking AWESOME!!!!!!

04-06-2003, 05:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kelric Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Greater Boston Area Posts: 3,983 Thanks: 7 Thanked 46x in 36 posts	I've always wondered what team that park was supposed to be for. Nice work. __________________ Former Co-Commish and owner of the Boston Red Sox, 1783-1144, .609%, of the defunct Overlords Baseball League (1930-48). 17 Division wins, 9 ALCS wins, 5 World Series wins.

04-06-2003, 05:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
KC Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: On my ass, you wanker. Now, sod off. Posts: 401 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1x in 1 post	You REALLY have outdone yourself this time. __________________ KC Ted Williams: "When you foul a pitch off, does it ever smell like scorched wood?" Mark McGwire: "All the time."

04-06-2003, 05:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
adventureran Major Leagues Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 447 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I'm not sure what I enjoy more the ballpark itself or the atmosphere your storylines always create. Thanks!

04-06-2003, 07:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Coastal Carolina Posts: 3,013 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4x in 4 posts	Fantastic! This may well be my favorite... __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

04-06-2003, 07:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
MBL2003 Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Teflon Skies Ballpark Designs: BETTER than Ellerbe Beckett, BETTER than HOK, BETTER than all of 'em! As always, great work.

04-06-2003, 07:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
athletics72_73_74 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Delano,MN Posts: 44 Thanks: 30 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	As a fellow Twins fan who has played in that horrible dome and has watched a few hundred games in that place. I AM WIPING TEARS FROM MY EYES! Great work my man! Your work sets a very high standard for anyone that tries to make a staduim! Thank you! __________________ Target Field 2010

04-06-2003, 08:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
TwinMonster Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Minnepolis Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Loving it Teffy. If only they had ditched the worthless train system....

04-06-2003, 09:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dark Horse All Star Starter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas! Posts: 1,907 Thanks: 353 Thanked 75x in 42 posts	Another winner looks like the Twin Cities Lumberjax have a new home!!! Way to go, Teflon! __________________ PBDL Austin Nine [2012- ] PCBL Miami Knights [2006 - ] FBL Buffalo Bolts [1959 - 1965] Beta Baseball The Pines Verts [2032 - 2038] 2037 Axelite League Champions tMBU Phoenix Redhawks [2051 - 2053] 2051 Ruth Division Champions LBA Geo Bahn Rock Hounds [1900 - 1926] 1901 Laseron Champions 1913 Northern League Champions 1914 Northern League Champions PABF Miami Storm [2016 - 2025] 2022 Ambassador League Champions 2023 Ambassador League Champions

04-09-2003, 02:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
satchel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ft Smith AR Posts: 2,680 Thanks: 52 Thanked 48x in 26 posts	Pack Looks like the NPBL’s Minnesota Wolfpack just got a new stadium. __________________ JL Commish NPBL Rhode Island Reds ’33 ’34 ’35 TCBA San Francisco Railbornes ’74 ’76 ’77 ’78 FL New Orleans Black Sox ’56 ’57 ’58 ’59 IOLD

04-09-2003, 10:27 PM	#20 (permalink)
Joe Canadian All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 1,283 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7x in 2 posts	Amazing as always . __________________ My Twitter \| My Music Fan of the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, IceCaps, Lakers, and Broncos.

04-09-2003, 11:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
Wrigley Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Teflon - Simply incredible work man. That's beautiful. It may be sacrelidge, but....Is there any chance of a version without the Twins logo? This would be awesome in a fictional league. Great job. Coming to this board is like getting a patch or upgrade for the game. Wrigley

04-09-2003, 08:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
Teflon Skies Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Generic Equivalent Okay - here's the Twins Stadium without the Twins and MLB logos. I took the liberty of calling it Teflon Field. By the way - just a reminder that you can find my ballparks in bitmap format at http://hall-fame.com/ballparks.html . The site also has the Park.dat and Parkconfig.dat files for all of the ballparks. Attached Images

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