MLB.com

By Patrick Donnelly / Special to MLB.com

The Twins' proposed ballpark would seat 42,000 and bring fans closer to the field. (Minnesota Twins)

MLB.com: Jerry, it has been about six months since MLB.com last sat down with you to discuss the stadium situation. What would you say is the most positive development since last summer that gives you hope for the future success of the initiative?

Bell: A couple of things have been very, very helpful since then. The success of the team on the field can't be ignored. The TV ratings were up, we drew two million fans including the playoffs -- that's a very positive sign. And Gov. Pawlenty has been very helpful in appointing a steering committee to look at the issue and recommend a roadmap for how to get this done.

MLB.com: The stadium screening committee has made its recommendations to Gov. Pawlenty, who is expected to act on them later this month. How crucial has Gov. Pawlenty's more receptive attitude compared to previous administrations been to the current stadium prospects?

Bell: It's been night and day. We have a governor now who is focused on how we can do this, not questioning whether we should be doing it. The governor understands that if you have a Major League team and don't have a ballpark, it's hard to be competitive. The governor recognizes that the Twins' lease is coming to an end and it's time to look at the future.

MLB.com: St. Paul and Minneapolis both submitted bids to host a new ballpark. What do you consider to be the most important strengths in each city that would help make a Twins ballpark successful there?

Bell: I think both cities have a sincere passion to get this done for their communities. They've both rallied their people behind their proposals and that's been very positive. We're looking at a 42,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium, and there's probably more parking available in Minneapolis. St. Paul might have some traffic management issues to consider, too. But St. Paul has the Xcel Energy Center, which has been very successful, and we think the synergies with that facility could be very good.

MLB.com: A retractable roof could add up to $100 million by some estimates to the overall cost of the ballpark. Is there any way the club would be comfortable going forward with a plan that doesn't include a retractable roof, or is that considered a must-have in this market?

Bell: Well, the cost (of a roof) could end up being a little less than that. Some people are including the costs of environmental controls that we're not going to need. Our goal is to be similar to Seattle's Safeco Field -- it provides protection from rain but doesn't have heat or air conditioning. In April through October in Minnesota, we just don't believe heating or AC is necessary.

As for needing the roof, it's just common sense to have one here. We've got a whole generation of fans who have never experienced a rain delay or a rainout, so they're used to seeing a game when it's scheduled. But unfortunately, the same fans have never experienced a baseball game outside. We want to give them the best of both worlds. We think if you're going to do it, you might as well do it right the first time.

MLB.com: Which are your favorite ballparks around the Major Leagues and can we expect to see elements of any of them incorporated into a new Twins ballpark?

Bell: We really like Seattle; we like Minute Maid Park in Houston, though it's got some left field and center field dimensions we'd change. Of course, Coors Field and Jacobs Field are just outstanding facilities. And we think Pittsburgh got a lot of value for their money in their new park.

MLB.com: What type of support has Major League Baseball and the Commissioner's Office given the club during this process?

Bell: A lot of patience. We've had this issue on the table for going on 10 years now, and we haven't been able to resolve it, yet they've been very patient with us, especially Commissioner Selig.

MLB.com: The NFL has suggested it might award the Vikings a future Super Bowl in Minnesota if they get a new stadium built. Has MLB discussed any similar assistance, such as an All-Star Game in Minnesota?

Bell: I'd like to think that we'd have a World Series at home because a new park would help us compete. But yes, if we built a new ballpark, I'm sure we'd be passed to the top of the list of facilities considered to host the All-Star Game.

MLB.com: Critics of the stadium plan say the public should not build ballparks for millionaire players and owners. However, wouldn't you agree that a new park would actually be for the fans, not the players and owners?

Bell: We obviously feel that as adults, we can figure out how to do more than one thing at a time. We feel there's a way to build a stadium with some public involvement, and if a ballpark would increase the value of the club and it's sold, the proceeds would be passed along to the public proportionate to its investment.

MLB.com: Can Twins fans still have an impact in the process by expressing their support to legislators and the media?

Bell: Yes -- the most significant thing fans can do to help is express their views to their legislators. A call from a constituent can do more than anything we can say.

Patrick Donnelly is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.