Baseball in Full Swing

Baseball season is in full swing and FOX Sports North is proud to be part of the energy that surrounds the Minnesota Twins and Target Field. The season has provided creative and exciting content for Qwest Twins Live pre and postgame shows and foxsportsnorth.com. Check out a few recent favorite clips:

Community, Morneau at Ronald McDonald: http://tinyurl.com/28hf4br

Player reaction, Denard Span: http://tinyurl.com/26mhzjo

Fan events, Autograph Party: http://tinyurl.com/2d2z467

Player analysis, Cuddyer on Outfield Catching: http://tinyurl.com/2d9pznq

50 Greatest
FOX Sports North and the Minnesota Twins announced the “50 Greatest Minnesota Twins” in honor of the team’s 50th season. The 50 Greatest were voted on by a panel that included print, radio, and television journalists throughout Twins Territory and senior members of the Minnesota Twins staff. FOX Sports North is highlighting the 50 Greatest in 60-90 second video essays written by journalists and voiced by players, coaches, media and notable Minnesotans during broadcasts through September 3.

Complete List of the 50 Greatest: http://tinyurl.com/2u87bex

Hockey Day 2011: Moorhead, Minnesota

FOX Sports North, in conjunction with Wells Fargo and the Minnesota Wild announced a cooperative effort to celebrate the fifth annual Hockey Day Minnesota with a full day of hockey programming on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

The city of Moorhead will serve as the background for the outdoor boys high school games featured in the Hockey Day Minnesota 2011 line up, including: Wayzata vs Roseau and Moorhead vs Hill-Murray. Hockey Day Minnesota 2011 coverage will include a NHL game as the Minnesota Wild take on the St. Louis Blues as well as a college match-up between the University of Minnesota and University of Denver.

Hockey Day Minnesota 2011 Announced: http://tinyurl.com/2dke7nt

Matt Cullen Signs with Wild: http://tinyurl.com/2ectflf

Minnesota Wild Road Tour: http://tinyurl.com/25l6qe2

Photo: FOX Sports North & the Minnesota Wild announce the Hockey Day Minnesota line-up at the Moorhead Hockey Arena along with current and former NHL players: (left-right) Aaron Broten, Brad Bombardir, Matt Cullen, Brian Lee, Chris VandeVelde, Brent Burns and Nate Prosser

Joe Nathan: A Fan Fave

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Joe Nathan might be out for the 2010 season, but he still spends time at Target Field for rehab and apperances with FOX Sports North. He recently joined Dick & Bert in the broadcast booth for an entire game, gave a sneak peak at his rehab workout and joined a postgame instructional on pitching.

Nathan on postgame instructional: http://tinyurl.com/2anbmgw
Nathan rehab feature: http://tinyurl.com/2dbwvvs

Fans are buzzing about Nathan’s recent FOX Sports North apperances and producers hope to bring him back soon.

Special Guests on Set

It seems like everyone is excited to come out to Target Field these days. Check out video of some of the special guests that have joined us on recent Qwest Twins Live broadcasts:

Bill Roberston, VIP of Communications for Minnesota Wild: http://tinyurl.com/26rdgqq
Andrew Brunette, Minnesota Wild left winger: http://tinyurl.com/283sh2o
Paul Allen, KFAN radio host: http://tinyurl.com/27yzg4s
Jay Lawrence, Military veteran and award winning writer: http://tinyurl.com/24arqv8
Doug Grow, Author of “We’re Gonna Win Twins": http://tinyurl.com/29qhtoy

Photo: Minnesota Wild player Andrew Burnette joins Anthony Lapanta and Roy Smalley on the field for a postgame instructional

Timberwolves Town Hall

FOX Sports North teamed up with KFAN to host Timberwolves Town Hall from Clear Channel studios on Friday, June 25. The one-hour Minnesota Timberwolves special was streamed live on foxsportsnorth.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. and debuted on the network later that evening.

Hosted by Anthony LaPanta and discussion moderator Paul Allen, fans had the opportunity to ask Timberwolves president of basketball operations, David Kahn and head coach Kurt Rambis about current personnel, team direction, free agency, draft, future moves and more. Viewers also heard from the Timberwolves first round draft pick and other special guests.

Check out a few clips:
Rambis: http://tinyurl.com/2bjwokw
Kahn: http://tinyurl.com/28j2k7z

Unique Content on foxsportsnorth.com

Flag Raisers & National Anthem Profiles
Jay Lawrence, a Minnesota native, a veteran and a decorated military journalist profiles all of the Target Field flag raisers and National Anthem performances on foxsportsnorth.com. To view all of Jay's profiles: http://tinyurl.com/25m4out

Excerpt: "Call him 'Buddy'." Everyone does. No one knows why, but for the past 88 years, Staff Sgt. George (Buddy) Shurson has answered to that name. Buddy went on over 50 combat missions in World War II. As an engineer gunner on a B-17, Buddy and his weapon were responsible for protecting his flying can of explosives from enemy anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor fighter planes..."
To read Buddy’s full profile: http://tinyurl.com/2bnsccs

“Fan of the Game” Profiles

The game of baseball in general would be nothing without fans. Therefore, foxsportsnorth.com is honoring the members of the Twins team that often go unheralded, the fans. To view all of the "Fan of the Game" profiles: http://tinyurl.com/27jhz6f

Excerpt: “Emily Guidera got a pretty stellar start as a Twins fan. While living in California, her father took a trip to apply for a job in Minnesota. He brought back a book for Emily all about Kirby Puckett…” To read Emily’s full profile: http://tinyurl.com/289jrh2

Changing Lives: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities

Home Team Scholarship
FOX Sports North, in conjunction with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings and Wild, recently presented the third annual Home Team Scholarship to the Boys & Girls Clubs State Youth of the Year finalists. The $25,000 Home Team Scholarship program was designed to bring together the sports community to positively affect the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing financial support. The scholarships provide opportunities to students who may not necessarily succeed in athletics, but succeed in other areas including academics and community service.

Kids in the City
FOX Sports North recently hosted the sixth annual "Kids in the City—A Celebration of All-Stars" event to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities at TCF Bank Stadium. Kids in the City serves as a fundraiser, showcases the FOX Sports North Youth All-Star Program and celebrates the achievements of Boys and Girls Club members throughout the Twin Cities. This year's event raised over $115,000 for the Clubs.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer served as the event’s emcee for the third year in a row. Cuddyer was joined by other Minnesota athletes, sports personalities and team mascots, including: Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, Minnesota Stars players, numerous University of Minnesota athletes, T.C. Bear, Crunch, Nordy, Goldy Gopher, Buzz, Viktor the Viking and Mudonna.

Photo 1: The Boys & Girls Club State Youth of the year finalists with (bottom, left-right) Bryan Donaldson, Minnesota Twins; Ryan Tanke, Minnesota Timberwolves; Mike Dimond, FOX Sports North; Brad Bombardir, Minnesota Wild and Stoney Hayes, Boys & Girls Clubs. (not pictured: Minnesota Vikings)

Photo 2: Minnesota Twins player and Kids in the City emcee Michael Cuddyer with Mike Dimond of FOX Sports North and Boys & Girls Club staff

Photo 3: University of Minnesota football players interact with Boys & Girls Club kids

North Supports Special Olympics

FOX Sports North is proud to support Special Olympics Minnesota. A team of employees recently spent the afternoon volunteering at the Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games at the University of Minnesota and also attended the Champions Luncheon to honor and celebrate the 2010 athletes.

The North offices are currently collecting donations to send a Special Olympics athlete to the National Games. You can donate too, just visit the North Supports page on foxsportsnorth.com: http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/north_supports

Photo: FOX Sports North employees (left-right) Stephanie Klinger, Dawn Thilmony, Kate Kauffman, Mark Piper, Mark Swanson, Patricia Whitney, Vanessa Lambert, Amy Anderson, Ryan Sirvio, Ann Waara and Becky Ross volunteer at the Summer Games.

Employee Spotlight

Ann Carroll: Congratulations to Ann Carroll on the birth of Jack Walter, born on June 4.

Amy Anderson: Congratulations to Amy Anderson who recently left her position as Marketing and On-Air Presentation Manager at FOX Sports North and Wisconsin to accept a position with FOX Sports in Los Angeles as Marketing and Digital Sales Manager. Amy worked for FOX Sports North for seven years. She will be missed.

Qwest Twins Live Promos Celebrate Outdoor Baseball

The Minnesota Twins weren’t the only ones to make the transition to outdoor baseball. Check out two of our new Qwest Twins Live promos.

Tune in to our new outdoor Qwest Twins Live pre and postgame shows before and after every Twins game at Target Field.

FREEZE FRAME

The Minnesota Cable Association hosted their annual Jimmy Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for various charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. (left-right) John Storck, MLB Network; Jean Edhlund, FOX Networks; Tom Bordwell and Bill Jensen, Mediacom

FOX Sports North interns Jordon Eder and Adam Dressel work the FOX Sports North bean bag toss game at the Minnesota Wild Summer Bash at the Mall of America

FOX Sports North employees (left-right) Becky Ross, Dawn Thilmony, Kate Kauffman, Ann Waara, Stephanie Klinger, Ryan Sirvio and Vanessa Lambert with 1980 US Hockey "Miracle" team player, Rob McClanahan at the Special Olympics Minnesota Champions Luncheon

Marney Gellner interviews Twins fans at Target Field for "Pick the Stick"