Twins may finally play on real grass

State lawmakers gave approval to a financing plan for an open-air stadium.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins will eventually lose one of baseball's true home-field advantages. They're more than happy to give that up in favor of some fresh air and natural grass.
State lawmakers gave final approval Sunday to a financing plan for an open-air stadium for the Twins, who share the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome with the Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota football team.
"We've come away from this place with so many defeats," said Jerry Bell, president of Twins Sports, Inc., after the ballpark was approved 71-61 in the House and 34-32 in the Senate.
"It's hard to believe."
Governor's intention
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on radio station WCCO-AM that he plans to sign the bill, possibly at a Twins game this week. Pawlenty said he also plans to sign a bill, also passed this weekend, authorizing a new, $248 million on-campus football stadium for the Gophers.
A new $522 million Twins ballpark, which would be paid for mostly by taxpayers, is scheduled to open for the 2010 season.
For players, fans and just about anybody who has regularly attended games at the Metrodome over the past two-plus decades, it can't come soon enough.
"Going to the Metrodome, you kind of feel like you're going into an office building. You can't see out," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said during a weekend series in Milwaukee, where the Brewers play in Miller Park with its retractable roof.
It also eases any possible concerns that the franchise would be moved.
"I know there was a lot of frustration, I know there was a lot of worry," commissioner Bud Selig said at the Twins game in Milwaukee Sunday. "You look at that Minnesota market, and it's a great market. It's a major league market.
Relief
"It would have been heartbreaking to even think about anything," he said, referring to previous talks of contracting or moving the Twins to another city. "Now, at least for the next two generations we don't have to think about it."
The 42,000-seat stadium, which will be funded by a 0.15 percent Hennepin County sales tax increase and $130 million from owner Carl Pohlad, is earmarked for the west edge of downtown Minneapolis -- to be built with a striking skyline view a few blocks from Target Center, where the Timberwolves play.
The franchise fought for 11 years for public money toward an outdoor stadium.
Plans don't call for a retractable roof, so April and May games will often be played in less-than-desirable conditions -- and some of them will surely be postponed by rain or even snow.
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