Twins Submit Plans To Bring Fans Back To Target Field

MINNESOTA —The Minnesota Twins' home opener is scheduled for April 8 against the Seattle Mariners, and the team is hoping to have a limited number of fans at Target Field for that contest and throughout the 2021 season.

With that in mind, the team has submitted to the state a detailed proposal about how it plans to keep fans safe and free of COVID-19 at the ballpark, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Monday. The plan includes attendance limits and partnerships with companies to provide services like contactless concession purchases and the deep cleaning of facilities.

Gov. Tim Walz ultimately will decide if fans can return, and how many will be allowed.

According to the Star Tribune, the team's initial request is to have a 25 percent capacity at the stadium, about 10,000 fans. The Twins hope greater attendances will be permitted as the season progresses and more people are vaccinated. Fans were not allowed at Target Field during the shortened 2020 season.

Teddy Tschann, spokesman for Walz, said the governor is eager to see fans back at Target Field this season.

"If Minnesotans continue to work hard to keep the virus under control while vaccinations ramp up, we're optimistic we can get fans back in the stands in some capacity this season," Tschann told the Star Tribune.

In the proposal reported by the paper, the Twins say they will sell tickets in packages of two and four, with groups spaced at least six feet apart and prevented from mingling.

Due to the pandemic, new services also are required at the ballpark to help ensure fan safety. The Twins have signed up with Maplewood-based 3M to provide cleaning, hygiene and disinfecting supplies.

On Monday, the Twins also announced a partnership with Venuetize, an app designed to deliver contactless ordering and payment of concessions and goods at Target Field.

>>>Read the full story at StarTribune.com.