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The weather for a Twins home opener is always a risk, but the rain was not the cause for the delay in the Twins home opener. The fans able to bring the energy that the stadium seemed to lack for game one.
A short delay to the Twins home season as a power outage hit parts of downtown Minneapolis on Friday, moving first pitch back about an hour.
With an Albert Lea native searching for the group of near forty attending the game saying, “Hope they can get here, they are stuck at a bar downtown without power and the ticket machines are not working.”
Many fans having to wait a little longer before entering the stadium, grabbing a bite to eat, or enjoying the pregame festivities. Once the power did return, so did the optimism for some Twins fans as a new season begins to take shape.
A few fans saying ” I’m excitd for the team this year cause anything could happen really. The last few years have been tough but its a new day, its a new season, anything can happen.”
The same could be said for a couple from Wisconsin making the trip to see the first Minnesota home game, “Still a lot of exciting players, the projections may not be Twins friendly this year but its an exciting team to watch and see how they develop.”
While the team performance on the field may be in question this season, there is no doubt the the team in the stands is ready to band together, like only a day at the ballpark could do.
“We used to play softball together and now we are retired and spectators so it’s just great to bond and be togheter with friends.”
It may be hard to find a group that understands that sentament more than the crew from Albert Lea. Over 35 members of the community, including a number of graduates from the area, continue to make the trip to the home opening game year after year. Now past the 30 year mark and it continues to bring people together. Both old friends and creating new ones to last a lifetime.
“Its almost like a reuinion, i’ve been away for some time, but now im back to see all my old buddies and meet some new friends.”
Even those joining for the first time are excited to be around familiar faces all these years later. “Its actuall my first year, but I’ve known all the guys. It’s been really fun to see all my old buddies and stuff like that.”
Proving that even though life may sometimes get in the way, its hard to beat a day at Target Field with good food and good people.
” We somehat stay in contact throughout the year and celebrate the spring, its just good to keep that Albert Lea Tiger pride going.”
It contines to go strong with plans already starting to try and return another pride of Albert Lea Tigers to the land of the Twins next season.
A Twins win on opening day was also cause for celebration. A grand slam helping Minnesota take a 10-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, with hopefully many more to follow as the season continues. So while the day may not have had the best start, and day at Target Field is never a wasted one.
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