MINNEAPOLIS — First pitch was still half an hour away, and the empty plastic cups, crinkled foil wrappers and peanut shells were already piling up under the blue seats in the Metrodome’s upper deck.
While the Minnesota Twins prepared to play the Cleveland Indians on a recent evening, a few hundred fans were getting ready for a night-long contest of their own — a race to empty out the concession stands before they closed.
High above third base, Sections 232 and 233 have been turned into all-you-can-eat seats for 10 Tuesdays this season. So far, about one-third of the 600 available tickets have been sold for each of the special nights.
In this season of recession, the Twins are just one of several ballclubs trying such stuff-your- face promotions, the idea being to boost attendance, which is running more than 6 percent behind last year.
For $34, up from the usual $22, customers can get a decent though distant view of the diamond and an unlimited amount of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, soda and water during a 3 1/2-hour window. The Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers also are among the teams offering stuff-your-face tickets.
Dave Campbell, The Associated Press
