Treeless in Minneapolis

Posted at 1:06 PM on January 28, 2011 by Bob Collins (18 Comments)

Other than the sandstone, there isn't a lot about Target Field in Minneapolis that screams "Minnesota." At least not as many things as scream, "I've got more money than you," and that's not very Minnesotan.

One exception is the pine trees in the outfield, something you see at only one other major league park (Colorado). Click the image for the full screen "let me pretend it's not a gray January day" goodness.

''There's a Seattle feel with the pine trees in center field,'' Jim Thome said last year. Thome, apparently, has never been to northern Minnesota.

Those trees? Kiss 'em goodbye. The Twins have decided to cut them down to improve the background for the batters. Apparently the dark green trees against the dark green background made it too difficult for the mighty Twins to pick up the white ball from the pitcher.

Players started complaining about the trees after the first exhibition games at the new park last year.

Incidentally, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 20 days.

Update 4:09 p.m. - Dug up this picture from Cleveland. Note centerfield. The team dominated the American League through the '90s from the moment this park opened.

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Comments (18)

Guh. Pines scream northern minnesota, maybe they will put some elms in next year, and remove them in 2012 for ginko or something.

Posted by ryanspublicfeed | January 28, 2011 1:16 PM

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If the Twins management wants to dig up the trees, and keep them alive, I'll plant them in my yard!

Posted by justacoolcat | January 28, 2011 1:16 PM

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Yes, those batter's box trees really hinder the hitting in Coors Field: http://bit.ly/f0rn7p

Posted by V | January 28, 2011 1:20 PM

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YAY OUT DOOR BASEBALL!!!
Now we just need to get rid of all this "nature" stuff around here.

Posted by Jon | January 28, 2011 1:30 PM

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Can't they plant some concolor firs or blue spruce? There's all sorts of colors in the evergreen family, it doesn't have to be dark green.

Posted by Phil | January 28, 2011 1:34 PM

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No wonder Mauer couldn't hit any HR's last year. It was the trees!

Posted by Josh | January 28, 2011 1:51 PM

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While I couldn't hit my weight against major league pitching, I do know how to spell Prima Donnas.

Posted by Jim Shapiro | January 28, 2011 2:27 PM

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A photo in which you can actually make out the trees would enhance the story...

Posted by Kevin Slator | January 28, 2011 2:35 PM

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Click the image. The trees are about as big as your hand.

Now, if your problem is you can't make out the trees from the background, well, that's kind of the point, isn't it.

Posted by Bob Collins | January 28, 2011 3:01 PM

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What a bad move for the Twins!
With enough practice in that environment they would have gotten used to those trees being there and adjusted. Then they'd have a home field advantage over their non-tree savvy opponents.

Too bad they didn't think to hire me to be their strategist. ;)

Posted by Robin | January 28, 2011 3:45 PM

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After the tress are gone, the next excuse will be.... What?

Posted by Doug | January 28, 2011 3:54 PM

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Can't see the playoffs for the trees-

Posted by rgomoll | January 28, 2011 5:00 PM

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Keep the TREES! What about the fans. You got this beautiful stadium built in large part because of us little people who actually support the team, stadium and MLB and pay the outrageous taxes to be entertained at the stadium and downtown. Who are these cry-babies compaining about the trees? and why are you listening to them? What a bunch of woosies you management people are in the stadium and team. We were so looking forward to seeing the trees become a living part of the history of the OUTDOOR stadium and the Twins. Where did these complainers come from? Didn't they play in fields across the country and world that had all kinds of distractions? Who dosen't have to put up with distractions in their careers? I don't like the view from my office either. This is an outrage! You have not heard the last of this from the fans.....idiots!

Posted by Jim Dougherty | January 28, 2011 5:12 PM

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With those trees gone, Mariano Rivera has no chance!

Posted by Xopher | January 28, 2011 5:16 PM

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I don't get it,

Isn't a dark monochromatic background what a hitter would want?

In any case, it's the same background for both teams, so what's the difference?

Posted by John P. | January 28, 2011 5:54 PM

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Once the trees are turned into compost they'll put in seats to generate more income -- you just wait and see.

I wonder how much of my tax dollars went into buying those trees.

Posted by G-Man | January 28, 2011 8:55 PM

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It could be worse, they could be still playing in the metrodome.

Posted by Jim Smoothy | January 29, 2011 12:57 AM

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And I tghuoht I was the sensible one. Thanks for setting me straight.

Posted by Helene | May 10, 2011 9:31 AM

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