Twins thrilled to welcome fans for opener

Twins fans received great news Friday, as the club will welcome them back to Target Field for its opener April 8 vs. the Mariners.

As many as 10,000 fans will be able to attend the first regular-season game. It will be the first time fans are allowed into Target Field since the Twins were in the American League Division Series against the Yankees in 2019. Last season, the club played without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Minnesota Twins organization is thrilled that the new state guidelines announced today by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) pave the way for the safe return of our fans to Target Field for the upcoming 2021 season, beginning with our April 8 home opener,” the Twins said in a statement.

“Our singular focus remains on the health, safety and well-being of every person that enters Target Field; to that end, we are currently reviewing the new guidance to ensure our comprehensive re-opening plan adheres to all MDH and Minneapolis Health Department directives. We will announce next steps, including our full ballpark protocols and ticket plans, in the very near future.”

Because the United States is going through a pandemic, all fans are required to wear masks. There will be social distancing throughout the ballpark in pods of two or four.

“I know everybody in our clubhouse is happy to hear [about the fans coming to the stadium]. The environment last year was good. We were able to play games, but it’s not the best version of baseball,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We are ecstatic to bring the fans back in. We are going to be diligent and make sure we are doing it the right way. We will spend a lot of energy to make sure that is the case. I know that is a priority for the team and everybody in the organization.”

Twins president and CEO Dave St. Peter said the organization is reimagining how to do things in the ballpark. It could be more of a touchless environment. For example, according to Matt Hoy, senior vice president of operations, the club is going to digital ticketing to create more of a touchless procedure. The Twins are also eliminating bags except for medical bags or small clutch purses less than 9-by-5 inches.

“All of the things you could be running into now when you frequent a restaurant or an airport or any other place,” St. Peter said. “We had a lot of time to think about those operational changes at Target Field as well."

St. Peter said he can’t wait to see the workers, like the security and concession staff, back at Target Field.

“They get an opportunity to work for the Twins,” St. Peter said. “The number will probably be a lot smaller. They are going to get a chance to put on a different jersey to represent the hometown team. That’s going to be a big part of the emotion on Opening Day as well.”