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Tink Larson Reflects On Fire That Destroyed Part Of Field

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The night the grandstand went down in flames, it was surreal.

"For me it's still not very good, because that was 50 years of hard work that went up in flames," said Tink Larson, the destroyed Waseca field's namesake.

Larson has therapy as a volunteer assistant coach for Minnesota State University, Mankato. It helps him get away.

"At least it takes my mind off things for a little while, and of course I have to drive by that field everyday umpteen times. Going to and from my house I obviously see the thing. It's not a good sight to look at," Larson said.

Tink Larson Field destroyed by fire
(credit: CBS)

There is something for people that live baseball. It's an unwritten rule that coming to the ball park is a sanctuary where life makes sense.

And while he spends time at Minnesota State Mankato, soon the grandstand will stand again.

"They let out bids for demolition this past week. So they get one week for them to come back in and they give them a week to demolish it," said Larson. "And then after that, the next week, we'll try to put a portable backstop. So the hope is that we'll be able to play a game there, a final high school game on like May 20 so that the seniors can at least get one game in."

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