Surprising Facts About Target Field


Target Field. Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn.

The Minnesota Twins open their 2016 season on April 11, hoping to build on their near-miss playoff run last season and the addition of Korean slugger Byung Ho Park. Fan or not, it’s hard to deny the appeal of enjoying our spring weather from a seat at Target Field. Here are a few facts about the ballpark.

  1. Let there be light: It takes 749 metal halide bulbs to light the field. They get replaced about every five to seven years.
     
  2. That’s a lot of dirt: Seven full-time groundskeepers prep the field for games, and they go through 25-30 tons of clay for the pitcher’s mound and dirt for the infield.
     
  3. Rain rain go away: A sophisticated drainage system keeps the field dry on rainy days. The grass is allowed to freeze in the winter, and beneath it is a 10-inch layer of sand and peat that stays just above freezing.
     
  4. Nothing but net: New safety netting will help prevent injuries from foul balls (Target Field’s dugouts are the nearest to home plate of any in the league, with fan seats above them very close to the action).