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Metrodome out for the count; Gophers working on backup plan

Minnesota Golden GophersThe Metrodome will be unavailable for use by the University of Minnesota baseball team for the entire season, as officials will debate whether to repair the roof or replace it — a process that could last until August — so the Gophers are looking for a new home.

No decision has been made about the team’s home for the 2011 season, according to the U’s Steve Geller, Assistant Athletic Communications Director. The annual DQ Classic has already been moved to Tucson’s Kino Stadium on March 4-6, and a Cal-Poly series has been moved to California (we’re guessing the Cal-Bakersfield series slated for March 29-30 will be moved as well).

That leaves the majority of the home Big Ten schedule, slated to begin April 1. By then Target Field could be playable; the Twins opened the ballpark last March, though there was considerable weather risk in doing so. Midway Stadium, the home of the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association), probably couldn’t be ready for play so early, lacking the field-warming technology installed at Target Field. And, of course, Siebert Field remains a possibility, at least for some of the games in the Big Ten schedule.

RELATED STORIES: Metrodome roof won’t be fixed until March; Dome roof could be repaired for Gophers season; Will Metrodome be ready for baseball season?; Metrodome roof collapses in dramatic fashion; Pohlads pledge $2 million toward new U of Minnesota ballpark; U of Minnesota announces ballpark plan — kinda

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