Metrodome pre baggie

[J2K]

Does anyone have any photos before the "baggie" was installed in RF at the metrodome? I believe the first two yrs were played w/out it and am wondering what it was like. I see everything else here and am sure someone will come through.

[Elvis]

I can't find any pics online, but it wasn't much to see. The folded-up seating platform (floor) used to be white, so it just looked like a big white wall with horizontal blue lines, which were the seats.

The seats are still there, but they painted the platform the same blue as the seats, so that it wasn't as jarring a look.

http://www.twinsballpark2010.com/_resources/P8290051a_conversion.jpg

[PeteU]

I didn't know the Metrodome didn't have the baggie its first couple of years. I had thought it was a feature from day one.

[sflnyc]

Here is a picture of the Metrodome from the Inaugural year of 1982. Photo was scanned from a book that was published in 1983.

You can see the white folded up floors with the blue seats in between. Also, this was before the 1990's practice of covering up seats to present a "fake intimate" environment. All 55,000 seats were available to be seen.

Also that first couple of years, the left field wall did not have a plexiglass extension on it to make it higher. The wall (5 feet??) was just like it was in the picture with a fan sitting in the first row some 370 feet away didn't have anything between them, the uncoming home run ball and the fielder attempting to snare it. Then the put in the plexiglass making it look like the Tiger Stadium outfield fences.

[J2K]

Here is a picture of the Metrodome from the Inaugural year of 1982. Photo was scanned from a book that was published in 1983.

You can see the white folded up floors with the blue seats in between. Also, this was before the 1990's practice of covering up seats to present a "fake intimate" environment. All 55,000 seats were available to be seen.

Also that first couple of years, the left field wall did not have a plexiglass extension on it to make it higher. The wall (5 feet??) was just like it was in the picture with a fan sitting in the first row some 370 feet away didn't have anything between them, the uncoming home run ball and the fielder attempting to snare it. Then the put in the plexiglass making it look like the Tiger Stadium outfield fences.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you:candle:

[spiderico]

My memory as a youngster watching Yankee games from Minnesota on WPIX were those big round holes/vents/blowers/whatever that were behind the plate. I remember hearing that they kept the dome "inflated". I always wanted to see a ball (or a catcher) go into one of them. I don't think they're there anymore.

Can someone please explain exactly what they were and where they went? Maybe a few shots of them also.

[JordanDL3891]

My memory as a youngster watching Yankee games from Minnesota on WPIX were those big round holes/vents/blowers/whatever that were behind the plate. I remember hearing that they kept the dome "inflated". I always wanted to see a ball (or a catcher) go into one of them. I don't think they're there anymore.

Can someone please explain exactly what they were and where they went? Maybe a few shots of them also.

well they are still there, but covered up, I believe they were before too.

this will help

http://www.digitalballparks.com/American/Metrodome1.html

look through this gallary and read the captions, I remember reading it in the past that it talks about the blowers, and I kind of looked at the 1st few pics and you can see them behind home plate.

[hofflalu]

well they are still there, but covered up, I believe they were before too.

Yeah, a couple years ago or so (I think 2005) when they added a few rows of permanent seating behind home plate, the big blower holes were covered. I think there are smaller holes now?

[Smirkman]

The wall (5 feet??) was just like it was in the picture with a fan sitting in the first row some 370 feet away didn't have anything between them, the uncoming home run ball and the fielder attempting to snare it.

I believe it was 7'.

[JordanDL3891]

when I say covered (just to clarify) there is like a grate in front of them.

[J2K]

Just to clear a few things up as I have been to this place too many times. The reason you don't see the large fans behind home plate is because they added two rows of temporary seats there beginning in '05. The large ducts are still behind there as the structure of the permanant wall has not been altered. I don't think they can be of any use as there are now seats and a wall in front of them... The rectangle screens you see in the wall are for the radar and for the stadium announcer who sits back there. Also note that the home run fence is 7' and the baggie in right is 23', and fastened directly to the folded up football seats. Quite makeshift. This stadium was designed specifically for football and baseball was squeezed into it, a la Dolphins stadium.

[Lafferty Daniel]

There was a rumor during the Twins World Series victories in '87 & '91 that the operations department would increase the power of the fans in the grate behind homeplate when the Twins were batting, and turn them lower when the visitors were up. Nobody has any evidence of this. I doubt that a fan blowing 25 feet behind homeplate could even make a difference.

[DiggerODell]

Pre baggie? Huh? Oh well, this will work. While looking for a MD thread, I also seen something posted by Lafferty back in about '07 or so about $1 dogs . . .April, May, June? I'm already looking forward to it . . . even if they are $2 now. I wish the new Target were open in '09, but we planned this trip with Metrodome in it and by god will stick with it. We seen Shea and Yankee in their final season, so perhaps I'm starting a new tradition . . .ha! At least gonna get to go walk around the new joint since this is the last stop on our tour.

PS, I honestly tried to make sure the aerial view of this was from 2 different angles . . .but you can't hardly tell the difference? ha! I had to look at both photos a couple times . . . my my! I'll bet Minn folks are happy to have this on it's way out!!!

[primetime62]

Pre baggie? Huh? Oh well, this will work. While looking for a MD thread, I also seen something posted by Lafferty back in about '07 or so about $1 dogs . . .April, May, June?

Historically they have Dollar Dogs on Wednesday games. Limit 2, but you can go to other stands for more. If you're going to a Wednesday game, make sure you get there early as it is also student night and they eat a lot of them, they usually limit it to 10,000 hot dogs total, and they do sell out.

[DiggerODell]

Historically they have Dollar Dogs on Wednesday games. Limit 2, but you can go to other stands for more. If you're going to a Wednesday game, make sure you get there early as it is also student night and they eat a lot of them, they usually limit it to 10,000 hot dogs total, and they do sell out.

Good Info! Thank you. I think May 27 is a Wednesday too. Should be a good crowd out there with the students you mention and the fact that Boston Red Sox are in town. I'm looking forward to it, big baggie, no hot dogs or not. . . ha!

[ericlc129]

Historically they have Dollar Dogs on Wednesday games. Limit 2, but you can go to other stands for more. If you're going to a Wednesday game, make sure you get there early as it is also student night and they eat a lot of them, they usually limit it to 10,000 hot dogs total, and they do sell out.

And regardless of what you say about the Dome's concourses, if you cram 4000 college kids and families in the 4 areas that have open concession stands, $1 hot dogs are a BIG BIG pain in the ass if one has to cut through for a potty break.

[ericlc129]

The plexiglass was also used for the ground rule doubles that were very prevalent during the first couple of months of operation. The turf they used was extremely hard and the dome officials (MSFC) had to figure out how to keep the balls in the park.

[Philtration]

I really hate this place and it can't be gone too soon for me.

[The Korean]

Absoolutely harbage baseball experience and not really a good football experience either. This place is old and not meant to be a ballpark. Thank god for Target Field.

[SJLT252]

Couldn't they have come up with a system where the angle of the seating changes for the seats near the lines. It seems doable with computer technology.