Twins Stadium Needs A Roof

After several years of talk, it looks like the Twins might finally have a real chance of getting a new stadium. They've been telling us they need one. They've threatened to leave if they don't get one. They've even had the funny radio commercial guy throw in a little jab about the Metrodome in the most recent radio spot. Now, it looks like it could possibly become reality. But if it does, the team could be hurt more than it's helped.

As I understand it, the new Twins stadium would not have a roof. That would cost another $175 million or so that isn't in the plan. The Twins are pitching in a nice chunk and the Hennepin County tax (20 cents on every $100) will cover the biggest chunk. Funds for the roof are nowhere to be seen.

This spring is a perfect example of why a roofless stadium won't work in Minnesota. Yes, we want the roof off whenever possible. We all love outdoor baseball. It's not only how the game was meant to be played, it's also nice for us fans to sit in the sun, get a little tan on our Minnesotan skin and watch the game on real grass. But what happens when you have a spring full of 45 degree temperatures, wind and rain?

If a team further south gets a rainy day (or even a week for that matter) they still have a chance to draw large crowds because, even if it's wet, it will be nice. Bring an umbrella and your set. Here, you might have to break out your long underwear and I just don't see Twins fans doing that consistently.

The result will be fewer walk-ups. Fewer people in the Twin Cities area will look out their window at work and say to themselves, "Wow, it's nice out. Maybe I should call the family and see if they want to go to a Twins game tonight." I don't see out-state people like us in Rochester being as effected because usually if we go up to a game, it is planned for a while and we'll simply dress or pack accordingly. But to those who live up there, who could go to a Twins game or many other things, the weather will be a big factor in their decision.

The problem is solved with a roof. It's sunny most of the time, and when it's not, they close the roof and the game goes on. Without the roof, the novelty of the new stadium will soon wear off. If the new stadium doesn't have a retractable roof, I wouldn't be surprised to see their attendance drop.