My Twins Fantasy Camp Trip

Our sister station, KROC-AM carries the MN Twins games and once a year the MN Twins organization has a "fantasy camp day' for the radio affiliates. They take 2 people from each station. We had an 'in-house' contest to go and I won, along with my boss, Jeff! Due to his schedule, Jeff couldn't make it, so took a young man from Plainview named Carson Ohm, who is a big Twins fan. As a matter of fact, his whole family is.

We arrived at Target Field in the morning and were part of the "red group." I was amazed at the feel of the grass as I stepped on the field. We started out in the batting cage, hitting pitches from a representative from the Twins organization. The batting coach said I had a great swing.

Carson did a great job hitting pitches, too. The batting coach gave him a few pointers and he was cracking hits deep in the field. It felt incredible to stand where the big boys play ball. And to know we stood on the same plate as next month's 'home run derby' for the All-Star game.

After the half hour, we switched to right field to shag the hit balls and to play catch. Then it was off to the Twins bullpen to throw some pitches for a half hour. I think I was the worst pitcher ever to step foot on that mound. I picked up the phone and called myself out of the line-up! Carson did an incredible job throwing some heat. He's played baseball his whole life and it really showed.

Next, it was over to field some grounders and fly balls from MN Twins legend Al Newman. We had some pictures taken and talked about the time he had when he was in the Twins World Series in '87 and '91.

After that, we got a short tour from Clyde Doepner, who is also the only curator in all of baseball. We got a chance to look at the displays of famous players and a short tour of the inner workings of Target Field. Did you know that there a 2 batting cages inside, right behind the Twins dugout? I didn't. That's where the designated hitters get ready.

We wrapped up the day with a ballpark lunch of hamburgers, brats and hot dogs, with the works. It was a day we will truly never forget. And thanks Carson for sharing the day with me! - Alan