Major League Baseball rejects Twins pitch for outdoor baseball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Major League Baseball has dashed the Minnesota Twins' hopes of playing some home games outdoors next month but left open the possibility of a preseason outdoor series next spring, the Twins announced Friday.

The Twins had been hoping to play the Sept. 18-20 series against Texas at a temporary 25,000-seat ballpark that would have been erected near the Mall of America in Bloomington. The proposal was designed to drum up public support for a new outdoor ballpark for the Twins that would replace the Metrodome.

Twins spokesman Dave St. Peter said Major League Baseball cited several reasons for rejecting the proposal. They included the possibility that all the other necessary approvals might not be obtained in time, the need to inspect and approve the temporary field and facility in advance, and the fact that no regular season game has ever been approved for or played in a temporary facility.

Baseball suggested that the Twins consider applying to play one series of outdoor games in Minnesota during the 2001 preseason.

"This proposal has always been a long shot," said Chris Clouser, chief executive officer of the Twins. "... We believe that a return to outdoor baseball, after years in the Metrodome, would have been a wonderful experience for Twins fans."

He said the Twins may consider applying for outdoor games in the future.

Even if Major League Baseball had approved, the Twins also needed consent from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and runs the Metrodome.