As a corporate partnerships intern, I am involved in some pretty fun stuff during every Twins game. The Race at Target Field is one of the funniest, yet most stressful parts of my job (future blog post to come). Yet my favorite responsibility for each game is the Target Ball Kid. For this promotion I get to choose a kid at random from the audience and bring them down to the field where they then get to run the game ball and rosin bag out to the pitcher’s mound before the first pitch. Some of the best moments of my internship have come from asking kids if they want to participate in this promo, and seeing their faces light up while they jump up and down.

There have been some great stories that have come from this promo, from Aaron Hicks asking one of his biggest fans if he was “ready to do the most important job of the game?” to a six year old fist-bumping Trevor Plouffe, then telling him he didn’t do it right because you’re supposed to “explode” at the end. But my favorite moment was when Gardy pulled a ball kid to stand in line with the team during the national anthem. It’s moments like that that make this internship great.

May, 11^th… the day many Minnesotans wait for all year.  The fishing opener was officially here!!! The lakes had finally thawed out, the snow from the freak May snowstorm the week before had melted, and everyone who wasn’t out on the lakes was at Target Field enjoying a beautiful day for baseball. In honor of the fishing opener, a few of us interns were asked to be “Twins actors” for the day. It’s not every day that you get asked to be an actor, and for the Twins none the less!! When we got our call to the big leagues, we couldn’t turn it down!  Little did we know, however, that our big acting debut would be as, you guessed it, FISH!!! We got to run around the ballpark, through large crowds of very confused people, yelling “HAPPY FISHING OPENER!!!!” We posed for pictures with adoring fans who loved our costumes and then got to partake in a contest where one lucky kid got to control the cameras and had to search the ballpark, via the giant scoreboard screen in left field, and had to find us hidden throughout the fans. At the end of our time as fish, we were burning up in those costumes, but it was so worth it! And who knows, you might even see us on someone’s Christmas card this year!!

It must’ve been a bit of luck to have the honor to debut the retro uniforms of the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers. As an intern the idea of being on stage for the media with Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins was never a thought in my mind. But when I was asked to model the uniform I dived right in. I felt like one of the players after I walked out the locker room and into the cameras of the press with a few of the players. Most people would’ve been nervous, but I didn’t realize what I was doing until it was over. The experience was great, and to know the significance was even better, it’s really like throwing it back to 1948! The uniforms will be worn by both teams on May 30^th when the Twins host the Milwaukee Brewers.

Many kids from the inner city never get a chance to experience what the kids from the Boys and Girls Club got to experience yesterday as they got a chance to walk on the sacred ground of Target Field. The Minnesota Twins were happy to welcome the Boys and Girls Clubs Kids in the City program to come to the ballpark and receive the recognition they deserve. Walking on the field in front of thousands of fans is a memory the kids will never forget.

It was almost game time when they postponed the game versus the Angels. As everyone was leaving with mixed feelings about the game being postponed, there was one group of guests that decided no matter the weather they will put smiles on everyone’s faces and they will sing the National Anthem for all who wants to listen. I was one of the many that listened to the little angels from Edina Children’s Choir sing the National Anthem. They certainly were the bright lights shining through the gloomy clouds. The children are one of the many reasons why I am so happy to be here. Thank you Edina Children’s Choir for making my night despite the poor weather conditions.

On Monday, April 15, 2013 we celebrated Jackie Robinson/Diversity Day.  I got to be a major part of planning for this event, and through the process I learned a lot!  We had been planning for this day for about 3-4 months.  I got to help with the essay contest, finding performers for pregame, finding a first pitch and the 7^th inning stretch.

It was a really fun day to be a part of, and seeing the kids’ faces as they got their awards from Aaron Hicks after winning the Jackie Robinson essay contest is an image I won’t forget.  Even hearing how excited they were as they were walking off the field made me smile for them.  You can’t help but laugh at the time; I know if it was me I would have been just as excited.

A lot of work went into making one pregame special for performers, kids and fans.  With a lot of help from amazing coworkers I was able to leave Monday night and feel that we achieved our goal.

6:10 AM

Opening Day started with an early morning, while many Minnesota Twins Staff, including T.C. Bear served hotdogs, peanuts, donuts, and coffee to fans during the annual event, Breakfast on the Plaza. Nothing better than a fresh, juicy hotdog for breakfast to start off Opening Day!

1:10PM

Minutes before the gates are about to open, I had the privilege to escort Rod Carew down to Gate 29, the entrance dedicated to the Minnesota Twins baseball legend, himself. At exactly 1:10pm, Rod Carew opened Gate 29 and welcomed all Twins fans as they entered Target Field for the first time this 2013 season. Happy, smiling fans wearing their favorite Minnesota Twins apparel started flooding the concourses and purchasing their favorite snacks at the concession stands. As I thought to myself, there can never be enough red, white, and blue at the ballpark.

Prior to the Minnesota Twins taking the field, I accompanied Rod Carew during the Flag Ceremony where he raised the American Flag, while Nicholas Davidson, a finalist on season 3 of the hit show, “The Voice” sang the National Anthem (who I got to meet earlier in the day).

4:10PM

After a few innings into the ballgame, along with my fellow interns, it was time for the most important event of the day: The Target Field Mascot Race. I spent countless hours training, lifting weights, and staying hydrated to be race-ready for Opening Day. It was finally race time, as the race starter walked out onto the field, BullsEye, Babe, Wanda, Louie, and Skeeta lined up. 3…2…1…GO! I sprinted across Target Field, as I heard the fans roaring in the stands. I had my mind on crossing that finish line. The rest is history…

6:10PM

As Opening Day ended, I got the opportunity to chauffeur Rod Carew back to his hotel. After a pleasant conversation with Mr. Carew about the Minnesota Twins, I arrived at his hotel downtown. Driving home after Opening Day, I thought to myself, wow that was an experience I will never forget.

Well it’s snowing here at Target Field.

And while watching crews clean up the snow in preparation for the game tomorrow it’s hard to believe that opening Day was only 10 days ago! Are we sure that Opening Day even happened? Or are we living in some Twilight Zone and it’s really January?!

The good thing about snowy days is that it leads to some good blog writing time!

Welcome readers to the blog of Gilly! AKA Mary.
 I am the Twins Production and Creative Services Intern or in shortened terms Game Presentation Intern.  While many of the interns at Target Field work Monday through Friday 9-5, I get the exciting job of being (and working) at every home game, as well as on most of the off days.

Days when the Twins are out of town are your typical office cubicle days… Filing papers, emailing, creating game notes and updating anthem singers and first pitches. Game days, however, are a completely different deal. To even find myself at my cubicle for longer than 10 minutes would be rare. I get to run around finalizing PA Scripts, find jerseys for first pitches, attend production meetings, coordinate prizes, update headshots  and all before lunch!

Once the pre-game starts and things really get moving, I can be found down on the field cueing first pitches, parades and even some times eagles!  

My favorite is getting to be part of all the promotions and contests during the game. From watching people do the sprinkler on the dugouts to carrying around a My Life Size Trophy.  I get to be part of it all and give away a lot of prizes, which is always fun!

I even get my own entourage. Jim Cunningham does all the on field/in the stands announcements.
Then there’s Steve Peterson. I like to call him my bodyguard, although to most others he is known as the Sound Guy.

And Even though you wake up early and get home late there is nothing better than working for a baseball team. Whether it is in the minors or in the majors, every day is different and there is always plenty of good food. I also get to be part of the headset crew and that can make anyone’s internship special.

Ken Brown:

We’ve all had a moment where we tried something before knowing what it was. During the Target Field Food Day that person was me when trying the Canteen Burger. On the first bite you may think this was just a normal burger with some really good spices and seasoning. Then that moment comes when you find out what you’re eating. It was shocking to hear that I was eating a goat and lamb burger. If I knew what it was before I probably would have passed like many of us who are scared to try new things. However, the Canteen Burger is a good one to try, especially if you want to try something other than the regular ballpark burger. So the moral of my Target Field Food day experience is just to Dive In, and then ask questions.

AZ Canteen Burger

Elise Henkemeyer:

As an intern for one of the best departments at the Minnesota Twins, I was fortunate enough to try out some of the new foods at the ballpark this season.  (As a poor college student, being offered free food is like music to my ears).  I will give you a short walk through of my experience at the food tour.

I had to start the tour off right so I obviously made my way to the State Fair booth first.  I tried out the walleye, cheese curds, and of course the fried pickles! After I filled my stomach about ¾ full with fried food, I tried a loaded baked potato and a goat and lamb burger.  Saving my favorite tasty treat for last, I picked up a buffalo chicken Panino’s Baked Sandwich. Hands down, it’s the number one thing you have to try this season at Target Field!

Unfortunately, I made it to the tour late so I was unable to try all of the mouth-watering goodness at once. I suppose I will just have to stop by each of the stands during the season and try everything I missed!

Panino’s Baked Sandwiches

Nathan Jobe:

Hands down, I love food! Prior to Opening Day, April 1^st I was one of the lucky ones to receive a special invite to attend the Target Field Food Day, an event to taste the new ballpark food. As the Food Day approached, I could barely contain the excitement as the scents and smells crept its way up to the Executive Offices. Just imagine, the juicy burgers, the sizzling fajitas, the loaded baked potatoes, the spicy tacos, the massive meatballs, and the sweetest desserts, all prepared and appealing to the eye. But, which was the tastiest? Don’t worry, I scoured the ballpark concessions and restaurants and picked the three most mouth-watering, drooling foods served at Target Field. They are:

1. Spaghetti Pie Panino’s Baked Sandwich

(Stuffed with noodles, meatballs, cheese, and smothered in pasta sauce. No need to travel to Italy, it’s right at the ballpark!)

2. Hrbek’s Fish Tacos

(Spices and seasoning tossed in fish, along with cilantro, guacamole, and sour cream wrapped in a tortilla shell. What a “perfect catch!”)

3. State Fair Cheese Curds

(Deep fried cheese! Enough said.)

My apologies if your stomach is growling after reading my top three foods at Target Field. Come check out the food, it’s all right inside the ballpark. Whenever I smell delicious food in the Executive Offices, I know it’s a game day. Oh, the joys of being an intern for the Minnesota Twins.

Left to right: Ken, Elise, Nathan

It’s 7:50 a.m. Friday March 29^th… For some, it’s just another Friday “yay we get to wear jeans day,” but for the 2013 Twins interns, it’s the Friday before one of the most exciting days in our little intern lives. Opening Day. Yes, that’s right, bats will be swinging and bases will be run come Monday April 1.

Is this an April Fools joke? Are guests really going to show up to find gates locked and snow still on the field? Absolutely not! Vendors are lining the concourse, snow has been eliminated, T.C. has woken up from hibernation.

Just exactly what have we been doing leading up to Opening Day? Making coffee and unjamming printers? Not exactly…

Here is a (small) window into the past three months as the Baseball Communications intern.

My name is Lizz Downey and I come from the home of the Wildcats. You got it, Eagan Minn. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth I knew I wanted to continue working in sports media but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what I was looking for…sound familiar college grads? Feel like you should always 100% know what you are doing with your life? Well you don’t. Become an intern. It’s wonderful. Except for driving in a big city for the first time….not so wonderful.

Here are some highlights of the Twins Internship program:

# 1 Minneapolis is actually a really cool city…once you figure out how to deal with people constantly honking, roads suddenly ending and one ways flying out of nowhere. And I’ve developed a small obsession with the skyway after I figured out how to not get lost. So that’s a plus as well as good life experience.

#2 I get to work with some pretty amazing and talented people……

Mike, Andrew, Mike (that’s not a typo there are actually two Mikes), Mitch, Dustin and Brace. Extremely hard workers but also really nice guys.

#3 My office.

I get to work in this massive cube filled with Twins memorabilia…and I have two computer screens (it’s the little things in life that keep me going).

Did I mention that this is my office building…..not too shabby!

#4 What I actually get to do.

Experiencing my first TwinsFest from behind the scenes.

Driving players to the airport in a snow storm.

Contributing material for our publications (Yearbook, Media Guide, Twins Magazine).

Getting to see my first pinup at MSP communications (yes we got to take the skyway to get there J)

Cranking out Clips every morning.

Unpacking, organizing and distributing media guides….(these.are.heavy.) Being okay with sweating in work clothes should be added to the qualifications for any intern anywhere. It happens.

(This is my favorite picture I’ve seen so far).

Plus……

Scouring through our photo file.

So pretty much I love interning for the Minnesota Twins so far, I am learning more than I ever did in a class room and I don’t really plan on sleeping too much Sunday night. (Excitement level is through the roof).

Oh and also….beware of the elevators. If you press zero you will be outside. Rookie mistake.