The first game at Target Field, the new home of the Minnesota Twins, has been moved up to March 27. The other big news from the Twins: Death to Dome Dogs!
The Minnesota Twins announced the first game at Target Field will be a college game, as the Minnesota Golden Gophers will host Louisiana Tech on March 27 at 1 p.m.
It should be an interesting day. On the one hand, we're guessing the place will be crammed: tickets will be $2, limited to 25,000, and available only at the gate on the day of the game. It will give the Twins a chance to shake down concessions before the April 1-2 exhibition games against the Cardinals. It will also give fans the first look at the new ballpark, though they will be probably be bundled up: late March in Minny is still a pretty chilly affair. We've heard rumors that the Twins will be installing blanket warmers for the big-buck seats; maybe we'll see the blanket warmers in action.
It will also give fans a look at the new official hot dog of the Twins. The Dome Dog is dead! Actually, everyone knew it would be dead after the Twins vacated the Metrodome, but the team had been negotiating with Hormel over a new hot-dog deal. Those negotiations are dead after the Twins wanted more sponsorship money from the Austin-based firm. Then again, the loss of Dome Dogs shouldn't be too severe: Kramarczuk's, a family-owned Nordeast institution for more than 55 years, will serve bratwurst, Polish and Hungarian sausages at Target Field.
Despite losing the hometown Twins, Hormel remains a presence in the ballpark frank world: Hormel owns Farmer John, maker of the iconic Dodger Dog, and Saag's Sausages, which are sold at Oakland A's games.
RELATED STORIES: Ballpark Preview: Target Field, the new home of the Minnesota Twins; Twins announce more concession items at Target Field; Twins take possession of Target Field; Twins to feature local foods at Target Field
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