Courtside Post

By Carson Tigges

A soft opening, a sneak peak, a glimpse of the future – whatever you call it, Target Field is now officially a baseball facility.

The brand new home to the Minnesota Twins was finally used for its main purpose Saturday, hosting its first ever baseball game – a contest between the University of Minnesota and Louisiana Tech.

The Twins opened the doors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a total of 37,757 fans paying $2 a head to get their first look at the Twins’ new digs.

By Carson Tigges

So who is Mikhail Prokhorov?

In short, the Russian billionaire is a self-made entrepreneur climbing all the way to No. 40 on Forbes’ list of the richest men in the world. Prokhorov built his fortune – estimated anywhere between $9.5-17 billion – as a leading industrialist in Russia’s precious metal sector. He is the former owner of Norilsk Nickel and current chairman of Polyus Gold – Russia’s largest gold producer – and president of Onexim Group.

So why is his name in the sports section?

By Carson Tigges

What’s better than watching a game at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium?

Watching a game at the new and improved Cameron Indoor Stadium. At least that’s what Duke officials are hoping for.

By Carson Tigges

Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh could be called “Cash,” but not just for his jump shot.

The Panther guard has hit two 3-pointers to ice NCAA tournament wins over UNLV and top-ranked Kansas that has put UNI into it’s first-ever Sweet 16, and now it’s head coach Ben Jacobson hearing “ka-ching.”

And with an astounding five mid-majors still chasing this year’s national title, dollar signs may be jumping out at more than just Jacobson.

By Carson Tigges with Julio E. Leon

March Madness is here.

Things are getting tense. You look at the clock 5…4…3…2…1. The horn sounds — Finally!

You’re overcome with emotion, and can’t contain your excitement. Of course, there’s no crowd or other fans to share that joy with — you’re at the office and that clock was counting down to the end of the work day.

According to a Spherion survey, approximately 45% of the American workforce has participated in some sort of office pool, and among those who partook in this survey, 56% specifically took part in a March Madness pool. Take in the fact that, according to this survey, 49% of the workers say that they do not have an office pool policy in place; while about 37% say that they do not know if an office pool policy exists at all. The average cost of a March Madness pool is about $20, but 21% have admitted to spending in upwards of $45 per bracket.

by Carson Tigges

The day Minnesota Twins’ fans and players alike have been waiting on for 28 years is now just a few weeks away.

Minnesota faithful will have to say goodbye to their beloved dome dogs in favor of four different hot dog choices, but more importantly the word “dome” can be stricken from the Twins’ vocabulary. With the completion of the $544.4 million Target Field and a full slate of 81 home games slated for 2010, the Twins are out of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and now have a place all their own.

By Carson Tigges

“Let the healing begin.”

That was the text message from Joan Becker to Jan Thomas, the widow of one of the nation’s most successful high school football coaches, Ed Thomas, after Becker’s son, Mark, was convicted of first degree murder of the legendary coach earlier this week.

“I hope we can all start to heal. See you soon,” Jan responded to her fellow church choir member.

By Carson Tigges

When someone says the word “broken down,” what springs to mind?

Your 1982 Buick? That thing in your basement that keeps ticking? Maybe even your grandparents?

In a bit of a contrast, NFL general managers will seemingly all return the same answer: 30-year old running backs.