Twins: No roof, high ceiling

MINNEAPOLIS – Real grass? Clear sky? Warm breeze?

Yes, Minnesota Twins games will again be an all-natural experience.

After playing since 1982 on artificial turf covered by a gray ceiling held up by blasting air conditioners, the Twins have left the Metrodome for Target Field as the team’s 50th season in Minnesota begins.

Oh, and that new-ballpark smell will come with a fully loaded lineup.

“You look around and go, ‘Is this really our team right here?’ ” first baseman Justin Morneau said, admiring the additions of J.J. Hardy, Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome to supplement the core of Denard Span, Joe Mauer, Morneau, Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer.

“We have so many weapons,” Morneau said.

The pitching staff has plenty to prove, from fifth starter Francisco Liriano’s latest chance to regain his rookie form to the cadre of replacement candidates for All-Star closer Joe Nathan. The Chicago White Sox are also a legitimate challenger in the A.L. Central, and the loss of Nathan to an elbow injury could loom large.

The Twins no longer can rely on the din of the dome, where they went 49-33 last season, or beat balls into the carpet for infield singles. No more hustle doubles when bewildered opponents lose flies in the ceiling.

Don’t expect the home-field advantage to disappear, though, because the place will be packed for every game this year.

Two weeks before their April 12 home opener, the Twins had sold 2.5 million seats. Before playing a game they’re already at their second-highest season attendance total, behind only the 1988 record of more than 3 million. Official capacity of the cozy, canopy-encircled stadium is 39,504.

“Those are lofty numbers, and they are tremendously humbling,” team president Dave St. Peter said. “As an organization we are appreciative of the support. We sense the excitement, and we believe we can sustain it.”

To the surprise of some, Target Field was built without a retractable roof. The Twins committed $195 million toward the $545 million project, with the rest paid for by a special sales tax in Hennepin County, but a roof was deemed too expensive.

Average low temperatures for April and October are between 36 and 38 degrees, less-than-ideal night conditions. The Twins draw from a wide region, as well, and fans used to driving three hours for the guarantee of a game could be less likely to come.

“But there’s weather questions in Chicago. There’s weather questions in New York,” Mauer said. “I always tell people April might be a little rough, but if you’re playing in October I don’t think you’re really going to care how cold it is.”

Target Field is a mix of old, new and organic. It includes myriad museum-like tributes to the Metropolitan Stadium era, featuring the team’s original logo in center field with two “Twins” shaking hands.

There are plenty of modern luxuries, and sleek glass paneling galore.

And whether it’s wild rice soup at a concession stand, spruce trees framing the batter’s eye behind center field or native limestone walls, it’s uniquely Minnesotan.