For all of the focus that had been placed on the Toronto Blue Jays and their home issues, the Minnesota Twins appear to be in a similar situation. While they could still play at Target Field, they would not be able to have fans at their games, a financial disadvantage as other teams are looking to have, at worst, limited fan seating by Opening Day.
Relief may be around the corner. Minnesota State Representative Pat Garofalo has introduced a bill that would allow the Twins to play in Wisconsin until they can have fans at Target Field.
State Rep @PatGarofalo introduces bill that, if passed into law, would allow @Twins to play their home games in Wisconsin until @GovTimWalz gives the green light for games at Target Field. pic.twitter.com/RqEKKKSPHv
— John Croman (@JohnCroman) March 5, 2021
Minnesota Twins could have advantage playing in Minnesota
There is a very simple reason for this bill. Wisconsin health officials granted the Brewers permission to have games with approximately 10,000 fans in the seats come Opening Day. The Twins do not have that option as of yet.
There are stipulations to the bill. Once the state allows fans to be present, the Twins would need to return to Target Field. However, it is unclear as to what penalties would be assessed to the team, or what specific law or provision this bill would circumvent in allowing the team to play elsewhere.
This also adds a strange twist to the Twins season. Unlike the Blue Jays, who knew that they would need to find another location to play for at least part of the 2021 season, there had not been any inkling that would be the case in Minnesota.
It is unknown as to whether or not the Twins would pursue such an opportunity even if the bill passes. They would need to find a stadium before Opening Day, while their players and coaches would have to find housing. As there are fewer than four weeks left until that point, it seems improbable that this will happen.
A bill has been introduced to allow the Minnesota Twins to play in Wisconsin until they can have fans in Target Field. It seems unlikely the Twins will follow through even if the bill passes.