Twins Turn Florida Stadium Into Emergency Staging Area

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Twins’ Florida home has been mostly spared by Hurricane Ian. Senior Vice President of Operations Matt Hoy says there is some wind damage, but the worst-case scenario was avoided for Hammond Stadium.

“We’re very fortunate we’re far enough inland to where the storm surge really stopped short about a half a mile away. Most of the damage that we have is related to winds. The batter’s eyes, the cages around some of our batting tunnels, some of the sightings, some of our signage has been ripped down but as for the structures themselves, they seem to be in pretty darn good shape.”

Hoy says several members of the organization will need to rebuild their homes in the Fort Myers area. The Mighty Mussels’ season is over, but instructional league was just kicking off. Over 60 players and personnel were evacuated.

In the past couple days, Hammond Stadium has transformed from the home of the Minnesota Twins’ Single-A affiliate to a staging area for emergency personnel in the wake of Ian. Hoy says it has become a dormitory for first responders.

“With so many of your first responders coming from different parts of the country they also need places to stay, and as you may know, we have an academy on the complex down there that has about 60 rooms. So we’re allowing the first responders to stay there on our site and get some sleep.”

Hoy says emergency personnel are working 16-hour shifts to turn the power back on and rescue those trapped by flood waters.

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