In a Hollywood scene, the Minnesota Twins played catch Wednesday night. Before the game there were questions about whether or not to cancel the night’s game. A cancellation not because of the weather, but because of a catastrophe near the Metrodome.
A bridge collapsed an hour before the scheduled start of the game. A major bridge that carries thousands of Minnesotans every day. A highway bridge, which had stood for more than 40 years in the heart of the Twin Cities, spanning the mighty Mississippi. A bridge that brought thousands of Twins fans to games at the Metrodome. A bridge, which took many of the Twins’ players, coaches and office staff to work and back home.
The news reached the Twins’ office around 6:30. And suddenly, the stunned Twins staff was grappling with the decision to play baseball. At first glance, playing baseball, when a scene of devastation was unfolding just a few blocks away in the heart of the Twins’ own community, made no sense. Suspending the game seemed like the way to go. The Twins’ front office then listened to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The state office asked the Twins to play ball. To play ball, and keep the 25,000 fans who had come to the Metrodome there. To play and help keep downtown streets and remaining highways clear of these 25,000 people out during critical hours.
And so the Twins played ball. To the disbelief of people and reporters across the country, the Twins got on with their game. At first, they were unaware of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s request to do just that; play ball.
The Twins forged ahead with their game, keeping an eye on the news and their hearts going out to family, friends and the victims of the catastrophe. They observed a moment of silence at the start of the game and provided updates throughout the game on traffic conditions and news updates. Between innings, Twins players contacted family and friends to check on their safety. And then they went back out and played ball. At the end of the game (which went to 10 and ended with a loss for the Twins), the fans in the Metrodome have information on new routes to return home safely and without affecting the ongoing rescue efforts.