A taste of Twins' Target Field excites, amazes long-time fan

Last Saturday I was blessed to acquire two tickets to the newly built Target Field, where I got to watch my beloved Twins play outside for the first time in my life.

From the minute I stepped off the tram, I resembled a giddy kid at Christmas. "This is heaven," I kept telling myself.

As I walked around the stadium to gate 34, a few things struck my eye: first, the natural beauty of the outside of the stadium. The Twins stuck with their state for materials, and the limestone facing is one of a kind.

Second, the Twins have windscreen around the stadium so that fans aren't hit with gusts as they walk around, but I loved the fact that on the screen were photos of old baseball cards.

I was in awe as I passed the names of Bob Allison, Harmon Killebrew, Jack Morris and Matt Lawton. Even Marty Cordova (who my mother had a crush on in the 90s) made the cut.

The beauty of the stadium from the outside was unlike any other field in the major leagues, but nothing prepared me for the rush of emotion I felt going through the gates. This was my field of dreams.

The first thing I noticed was the field: a lush grass one, no Astroturf or FieldTurf in sight. None. At all.

Second, the scoreboard. This thing is, well, beautiful. 5,757 square feet. My house is about 1,200, maybe. Not only is the size amazing, but also the clarity is unimaginable.

Third, the original logo sign. Minnie and Paul are shaking hands over the river, and the logo adds a classic touch to the stadium. During homeruns and between innings the sign lights up, another minor detail that the Twins painstakingly added to ensure a great fan experience.

I was near tears before the game even started, before I even got to eat my first Schweigert hot dog (sorry folks, no more Dome Dogs). I took my seat with about five minutes before the starting line-ups were announced and just took the environment in. The place was smaller, but I liked it. It had a close feel about it, and it seemed that you were on the field everywhere you went.

As the game started, the energy continued. This was only mid-April and the stadium had a playoff feel.

One of my worries was that the fans wouldn't have the same effect as they did in the Metrodome, but Target Field seems to have a greater advantage for the home team.

During the second inning, Jim Thome hit a two-run homerun into straightaway center field, into the evergreen trees. We have evergreen trees in the park. Fenway ain't got nothing on us. Screw the Green Monster.

The third inning was when I began my walk around the park in search of food, photos and a self-guided tour of the sights and sounds of this new paradise.

Kent Hrbek has his own restaurant inside the park, and it looks to be a great place to hang after the game next season, when I am allowed in after the seventh inning.

The fourth inning found me eating a hot dog in the left field, where I leaned on a railing and watched the game.

As much as I will miss my father singing loudly in hopes to be a "wiener winner in the Hormel Row of Fame," these hot dogs were good. Really good.

For the fifth inning, I was in right-center field, in the nosebleed section. Funny thing, though: even from these seats, I could read the players' name on their jerseys.

One thing, however, hasn't changed in the cheap seats: there is a lot of alcohol and a lot of cursing. I never knew that Gil Meche of the Royal's was a !(#)! (@*$)!* @*)!*#)!$)#*$#*. Interesting stuff, great insight.

Finally, I headed back to my seats during the sixth inning and made it back in time to sing "Take me out to the ballgame" with all my fellow "Twinkies."

The game went on, and the Twins took home the victory with a 6-5 win, and my man John Rausch, the man with the neck tattoo, got the save.

After the game, Twins' great Ron Coomer was on the video board with Joe Mauer and Jim Thome, asking them how they liked the stadium, and both received a standing ovation from the fans.

After the game, I toured the Target Plaza, took photos next to Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett's larger-than-life statues and bid farewell to the field.

I didn't want to leave, but I knew I would be back. After all, if you build it, they will come.