May 18, 2005
Love Letter to the Dome

A few days ago, I came across an excellent piece which was in essence, a love letter to the Dome. The Dome you say! Yes, read on....and at the end supply your own fond memories of the Dome (whether Twins or Vikings related) by leaving a Comment.

Why I Love the Dome (reprinted by permission of the author at the Greet Machine)

One of the truest things I have read during this never-ending stadium debate is that if the Metrodome is ever replaced, sooner or later we will miss it and long for the days when the Twins called it home. I know, it is hard to believe, but it is just human nature. We will all forget about it's negative qualities as we remember the good times and the things that made the Metrodome unique, and yes, even special.

So, as you already know, my son and I went to the game last Friday night. Since the game went into extra innings (thank goodness I brought my son's Gameboy) it gave me an opportunity to reflect on some of the things that make the stadium unique. Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of the things I know I will remember fondly of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome:

1) The blast of air that pushes you out of the stadium after games. I just had to get that out of the way right off the bat as it is the most obvious.

2) The urinal troughs. I don't care how bad I have to go, the minute I see 15 guys lined up at the trough I suddenly don't have to go as bad. In fact, I could stand there for an hour and never get out a drop. When they tear down the Dome I am actually considering trying to get a hold of a trough and setting it up in my basement bathroom just to freak people out who come over. You can't put a price on that kind of entertainment.

3) The Baggie. Really, there should be no need to explain it, but that baggie is, for better or worse, the signature aspect of our baseball field. Minute Maid Park has the hill in CF, we have the Baggie. Bank One Ballpark has the hot tubs, we have the Baggie. It is truly disgusting, but I know we will look back on this and laugh.

4) The Field Fare concession stands. I can imagine this conversation took place during the planning for the Dome. Planner One: "I know! Let's make really narrow concourses, far too few concession stands, and then let's staff those stands with volunteers who have never worked there before!!" Planner Two: "We shall dub these stands "Field Fare" and people will love them (even though they will stand in line for an hour just to get a hot dog)."

5) The cup-holders built into the seats. Have you ever noticed that the rows at the Metrodome have 2 fewer cup-holders than is necessary if everyone has a drink? My son and I got two drinks while at the game Friday night. We were sitting in seats 1 and 2 in our row, and someone was already sitting in seat 3 when we got there. He was already using the cup-holder in front of him. My son put his cup in the holder in front of him. This, of course, left me with no cup-holder. Who is the genius that came up with this strategy?

6) The speakers. Have you ever looked up at the speakers over the field? They are enormous. I can't believe that the teflon dome can hold these monsters up. Scary when you think about it.

7) The curtain. What other stadium needs a huge curtain to cover up the mass of unused seats every game? How long before we need a curtain at the new stadium? Five years? Never? Hopefully we'll get a chance to find out.

8) The sight lines. This is my view of the game from the third base line if I look straight ahead. Like I said on this picture, absolutely pathetic. I make it a point to never sit on the 3rd base line because of how sick I get of turning my head to the right. After nine innings it literally gets painful.

9) The roof. I know I've already said that "I don't need no stinking roof" but it was cold Friday night. I was happy to have a roof over my head and a comfortable temperature of 72 degrees to enjoy the game in. I guarantee there won't be a person alive in Minnesota that won't miss that roof at some point.

10) The football press box area. Also known as the Cambria Sky Box. I think it is hilarious that parties are held in this press area every game. I wonder if the Vikings get the money for selling out this area too.

11) The Astroturf. This is something I already miss and look back on with nostalgia. That old field was horrible. I think Keith Millard once said it was like playing a game out on 494. Do you remember how during the last season on this surface they painted it with faint, white stripes to give it that "just mowed" appearance? Wow. How ridiculous.

12) The noise. A new stadium for either the Twins or the Vikings will never be able to duplicate the ear splitting noise I have experienced in the Dome. Noise so loud it disorients you for two days after the game. That is what I call home field advantage.

13) Lastly, I'll always remember the first time I walked into the majestic Metrodome and how, as a child, I was just stunned by the enormity of it all. It blew me away how big the place was, and how it was all enclosed in a single "room." I fell in love with the place immediately. I'm sure most of you had a similar reaction.

So, there you have it. I'm sure all of you could add your own. Of course, feel free to do so.

In closing, just let me say that you will note that some of the items above are good qualities and some of the items are bad qualities. Regardless, all of them together will provide Minnesotans with countless memories of what it was like to watch baseball indoors for almost 30 years. And while I hope our time in the Metrodome is coming to a close, I will look back on all of these memories of the building fondly.

Posted by maasx003 at May 18, 2005 7:43 AM
Comments

What's up COD? No original material from you for a while.

Posted by: Cheesehead Craig at May 18, 2005 8:13 AM

" 12) The noise. A new stadium for either the Twins or the Vikings will never be able to duplicate the ear splitting noise I have experienced in the Dome. Noise so loud it disorients you for two days after the game. That is what I call home field advantage."


You mean the noise they pumped in to make it sound like the fans actually cheered ?

Posted by: Ralph at May 18, 2005 10:21 AM

I worked concessions for Volume Services at Twins games, the All-Star Game, and some concerts while I was in college. I thought it was a good idea to give back to the community by letting not-for-profit groups take proceeds from their work at the concession stand. I can't remember what the Field Fare concession stands are, but only a few were provided for non-profits. What I hated was not being able to use a cash register. We had to add up all orders in our heads. It's easy for some, but time consuming, at times, for large orders. It was a blast working those games let me tell you. I especially remember working the All-Star game and selling beer on the field of the Dillon, Dead, and Petty concert. Awesome baby and Dick Vitale would say.

Posted by: Daren Bloomquist at May 18, 2005 10:34 AM

I have fond memories of working for Volume Services selling concessions during my college years in the summer. I thought it was great for VS to give back to the community by letting not-for-profits earn some scratch by selling concessions and select stands on game day. The rest of the concession stands were staffed by people like me who worked most home games. What I didn't like about that job was that we were not allowed to use cash registers to calculate orders. Small orders were a snap, but big ones took a little extra time to get right. My fondest memories of that job were working the All-Star game and selling beer on the floor of the Dillon, Dead, and Petty concert. When the Grateful Dead were up people jumped the railing and rushed the floor to dance. Security was helpless to stop them. "Awesome baby!", as Dick Vitale would say.

Posted by: Daren Bloomquist at May 18, 2005 10:40 AM

Sorry for the double post there. I thought I canceled it so I could edit. Never mind......

Posted by: Daren Bloomquist at May 18, 2005 10:42 AM