Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in three weeks, but before the Twins head for the South Florida sun, many of them -- players, coaches and prospects -- are meeting in the Twin Cities. TwinsFest, a tradition since 1989 that raises money for the Twins Community Fund, begins tonight at the Metrodome and runs through Sunday.
BIGGEST IN Baseball Twins vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger estimates Minnesota's fan fest is the biggest in Baseball, in terms of attendance by fans and by players.
The number of Twins -- former, current and prospective -- that shows up to sign autographs, do radio shows and pose for pictures, Klinger said, certainly is unusual. Making the weekend even more unusual -- all of the players attend without getting paid.
"I think it's the type of player we have," Klinger said of Minnesota's impressive player attendance. "I think it's the culture. It's the expectation of this is what you do."
TWINSFEST MOVING?
With the Twins readying to play their last season in the Metrodome, Klinger said the team has been researching for a venue to hold TwinsFest in coming years because, obviously, having it at the open-air Target Field in January isn't viable.
The leading option, Klinger said, is to continue, for as long as possible, to hold it at the Metrodome, where the large crowds are easily contained and the vast indoor space provides opportunity for the interactive events of the weekend.
Other options are to hold it at a hotel or the Minneapolis Convention Center, like many other teams do with their fan festivals, or to hold it at Target Center, where fans could walk the skyway to Target Field, allowing some of the popular events of TwinsFest (namely the clubhouse tours) to remain in place. The drawback to those options, Klinger said, is the cost to rent the spaces. Because TwinsFest is a fundraising event, renting a venue for the weekend would have to be cost effective.
WHO'S COMING?
More than 50 current and former players and prospects are expected to attend TwinsFest this year, including 24 players who spent time on Minnesota's 25-man roster last season. To see the full schedule of participants in autograph, photo, radio stage and kids-only question-and-answer sessions, go to twinsbaseball.com .
EVENT DETAILS
Admissions tickets can be purchased in advance at twinsbaseball.com . or at the Metrodome. Autographs range in price from $10 to $25.
Adults: $8 in advance, $12 at the door
Children (3-14 years old): $4 in advance, $6 at the door
Hours:
Today: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
