Under Construction

The baseball use of the dutch word "berm", that is, a grassy hill on from which you can watch a baseball game, isn't found in wikipedia or other online resources.



Considering the one at William H. Hammond stadium doesn't look very grassy, perhaps it's a good thing. However, my cat would think that's one HECK of a sandbox they're building there.



The back of the berm, which still has a ways to go. There also will be new deck seats behind the berm. No work, that I could see, on the relocation of the visitors bullpen.



The new first two rows will hold the dug out seating, which isn't in place yet. The dugout box seats will be available to season-ticket holders with priority given to fans who have owned season tickets the longest.



There will be a new net, which includes a tighter weave, making it easier to see through. However, the new net will not have a backdrop, so sitting behing the netting will not protect you from foul balls that might get up over the netting.

Some discussion with the Miracle staff that the old timers are going to like that. They sit behind, or under, the netting to be protected because they're not fast enough to get out of the way of balls that might be coming towards them.



You can see where this extends "the pit" seating out a bit. The county is spending just less than $2.1 million for the new seating and other ballpark improvements. There will be around 400 new seats at Hammond Stadium.



The roof is off the stadium and in the parking lot.



Evidently, there was a small accident in which a portion of the roof fell on the dugout of the adjacent practice field and also caused damage to the bleachers. More things to fix before spring training opens.



A long line for single game tickets.



Dick Mingo teaches pitching at the Twins youth clinic. Mingo coached high school baseball for 33 years following his professional career.



Twins 1st rounder and pitching prospect Kyle Walrop (left) was one of the minor league players helping out at the clinic.



T.C. Bear was also helping out - to the delight of the youngsters.