Submitted (Left to right) Kyler Odden, Trace Goven and Jacque Blessum at Target Field.

Forty-one Rugby and Towner youngsters got the chance to see the nation’s pasttime played professionally and as close to home as possible, in Minneapolis.

As part of an annual trip the Rugby Eagles aerie has done for nearly 30 years, the youth got to see the Minnesota Twins face the Cleveland Indians at Target Field on July 22. The Indians prevailed, 8-2. The kids got to be on the big screen at the field three times, and sat on the lower deck near third base.

The trip began as a chance for kids who wouldn’t have any other opportunity to see a baseball game. It is one of several projects for kids the Eagles aerie puts on, in addition to the fishing derby.

“It was a good experience, I really enjoyed it,” said Dillion Fly, one of the 41 who went on the trip. “I had lots of fun with friends and family.”

Kiah Gault, another of the 41, added, “It was fun. I’ve never been to a baseball game before.” Kiah went on the trip with her sister, Maisie.

According to Steve Mueller, trip coordinator, Eagles’ Twins trips are coordinated well in advance. For this year’s trip, Mueller was in talks with a member of the Twins organization in November 2013 for the purpose of finding an evening game.

“The neat part about the trip is taking kids who’ve never been to a big city before, they’ve never been to a Twins game before,” Mueller said. “It’s a highly enjoyable trip, the kids really enjoy it. The Twins organization does a really good job with these groups.”

In addition to coordinating the trip, Mueller served as a chaperone, along with Paul Niemi, Steve and Michelle Schoenberg, Gary Demers and John Axtman. Demers and Axtman also took turns driving the bus.

The trip was sponsored by Pepsi, which donated pop for the attendees, and the Barton Sportsmans Club, which provided snacks.