Fisch und Wirbellosenforum

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After this particularly harsh winter in the north Chris Hatcher Jersey , The wall behind center field sure came alive. Why, yes, it’s actually growing.After several dead-end attempts to create both a playable backdrop for batters and an aesthetically pleasing surface, the Twins have arrived at what they believe is the final solution: a living wall.Approximately 5,700 sea green juniper plants have been installed in a series of one-gallon trays , stretching from the elevated grass berm where home runs to straightaway center land all the way up to the limestone facade beneath the second deck at Target Field. The living wall, which is 2,280 square feet, will be the first of its kind in the major leagues and one of the largest in the country.“Hopefully everybody in the organization will bat .400 this year,” said George Irwin, the founder of Green Living Technologies International http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey , the company that designed the system.When the ballpark opened to rave reviews in 2010, one of the most popular features among fans was the row of 14 black spruce trees that stood behind center field. The problem was they swayed with the wind and cast shadows in the late-afternoon sun in distracting ways to batters, and the complaints of Twins players prompted their removal after just one season . Most of them were donated to state parks, with a couple of them planted near the employee parking lot.The wall that’s now covered by a consistent, stationary background of plants, loosely resembling the ivy at Wrigley Field in Chicago, was initially painted with semi-gloss paint that proved to be too reflective.Flat green didn’t work. Neither did flat black. Then the Twins used an aluminum honeycomb-style material used to make aircraft bodies that needed to be re-angled so the top didn’t glow as much. Finally, after the wear and tear of Minnesota weather and batted balls, the Twins decided the time was right for new surface.“Our owner Jim Pohlad has always been challenging us to come up with something that’s a little more soft or natural looking, and that’s where this process came from,” Twins senior vice president for operations Matt Hoy said.The junipers Boog Powell Jersey , which were planted in January by a wearing crew heated suits, will be removed each fall and stored in a greenhouse for winter. They’ll be self-irrigated by Target Field’s rainwater recycling system. To satisfy sustainability goals there’s not supposed to be runoff. The plants will only need water every week or two. A trade for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson seems unlikely now, as Sportsnet's Shi Davidi is reporting that the 32-year-old won't play in Dunedin聽 as he deals with a nagging calf injury.Hearing Josh Donaldson won鈥檛 be in the lineup at single-A Dunedin tonight due to soreness in calves and legs. #BlueJays— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 29, 2018This news comes hours after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Blue Jays were placing Donaldson on revocable waivers, and they wanted the 2015 American League MVP "gone."Donaldson last played for the Blue Jays on May 28, and he only returned on Tuesday to play for Dunedin in his rehab assignment. Donaldson's season has been hampered by the aforementioned calf injury, and it looks like it'll cost him the chance to join a playoff contender now.advertising Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsThe Blue Jays only have until Friday to deal the All-Star third baseman, because he won't be eligible to take part in the playoffs if he's not dealt by then. It's hard to envision a team trading for a pending free agent who hasn't played in three months, and the Blue Jays are surely the biggest losers here.The front office took a risk and decided not to trade Donaldson in the offseason, even though he told reporters they weren't close on a contract extension. Toronto held onto 'The Bringer of Rain' in hopes of making the postseason before the competitive window closed.advertisingIn 36 games this season, Donaldson is batting .234 with five home runs Giancarlo Stanton Jersey , 16 RBI and has an OPS of .757. He's known for getting hot in the second half, however, and would have provided a major boost to a playoff contender.The Blue Jays could still get something good for Donaldson in the offseason. They have the chance to extend him a qualifying offer. If he accepts it, they'll have him under contract for one more season. If not, the team that signs Donaldson will owe the Blue Jays draft pick compensation. For now, his focus has to be on getting healthy for the final weeks and contributing to the roster any way he can.advertisingHe is playing for a new contract, after all.