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Saints to barnstorm for spring training

The St. Paul Saints will be taking to the road and playing in some small, historic ballparks to prepare for the regular season.

More teams should do this: the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) are taking spring training on the road and playing two games against local town teams before the regular season begins.

On Saturday, May 8 the Saints will take on the River Valley All-Stars at Athletic Park in Chaska at 6 p.m. The following day, Sunday, May 9 the Saints take on the Riverwiew League All-Stars at Minnetonka Veterans Field at 1 p.m. Both contests will help raise money for these historic leagues and ballparks.

Chaska's 60-year-old Athletic Park is a Minnesota endangered site, hosting Legion ball, state amateur tourneys and many Minnesota State High School League tournaments over the years. It also briefly served as home to professional baseball.

Veterans Field hosts the Minnetonka High School squad and Minnetonka Millers (Riverview League) baseball. The synthetic-turf ballpark opened in 2005 and was funded by the Minnetonka Diamond Club.

The Saints began their barnstorming tour of amateur ballparks in 2008 when they celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Jack Ruhr Field in Miesville taking on the Miesville Midhens. Last year they played at the same field against the Cannon Valley League All-Stars.

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