Dartt’s Park Lights Up Friday Night

The field was more conducive for a snowball fight then a baseball game, but a parade of cars still circled Fuller Field at Dartt's Park Friday night, April 3. Owatonna joined the #BeTheLightMN movement by turning on the field lights at 8:20 pm. Huskies baseball coach Tate Cummins indicated, "20 min / 20 seconds in honor of our graduating class of 2020. Bringing hope and perseverance to our students, staff, and community members," through @OTownBaseball on Twitter.

He added, "Please do not gather, but enjoy the lights from afar and follow social distancing guidelines." Despite some nice-weather days recently, no baseball would have happened on Fuller Field Friday regardless of the circumstance, "Even with the snow cover I couldn't help myself from seeing our past and present athletes playing some ball tonight. Just keep in mind...there will be ball again! Stay positive! Have HOPE!"

The Be The Light groundswell has gone viral across the state through social media in just a few days. Blooming Prairie lit their football field earlier in the week, as did Waterville and Waseca. Triton put the lights on at The Snake Pit on Thursday and plans to Mondays at 8 pm as well. The Gopher Conference announced that Mondays would their night to light the lights in an ongoing basis. Fans need to maintain social distance guidelines.

The Minnesota State High School League has suspended spring sports during the time schools are on distance learning from Governor Walz directive. With the governor hinting that students might not be able to return to classrooms this school year, the league would face the prospect of canceling the season.

Meanwhile North Dakota has canceled the American Legion summer basketball season according to the Grand Forks Herald.

A fire in a shed underneath the Dartt's Park grandstand in early March is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshall's office. Some baseball equipment was destroyed and portions of plastic grandstand seating down the third base line was damaged in the blaze.

This week we also lost the Home Opener for the Minnesota Twins. The defending American League Central Division champions would have played Thursday, April 2 at Target Field.