WATKINS — Almost one week after a tornado swept through multiple cities in Central Minnesota, leaving heavy damage specifically in Watkins, communities have continued to work with one another to put the pieces back together.

One way the residents of Watkins are enjoying the little things? Baseball.

“Those who come to the games really enjoy it here. It’s a good place to be,” said Jim Donnay, ticket volunteer of the Watkins Clippers Baseball Park, which had only light damage to a couple of lights from the storms last week.

“I’ve been a Watkins resident for 78-years, and it was lucky that my house didn’t get hit,” said Donnay, who was celebrating his 78th birthday at the field on Sunday afternoon, watching the Watkins Clippers play the St. Augusta Gussies.

“To me, baseball is a good pastime,” said Donnay.

Even though two towns were playing one another during the breezy Sunday afternoon – you wouldn’t have even guessed they were opponents.

Mary Gwost, the mother of two St. Augusta Gussies players, Nate Gwost , Mitch Gowst and aunt to Adam Gwost felt that baseball brings people together after something life-changing happens to them, like in the town of Watkins.

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“It’s not like they said, ‘Oh, let’s cancel the baseball games.’,” said Gwost. “I was looking at the damage, and you can see how the town came together here to help each other out.

“I think it’s Minnesota in itself … you just pull together without even a thought.”

The tornado had touched down last Monday evening in Watkins at 5:52 PM and stayed on the ground for four minutes, causing disastrous damage. It was classified as an EF-2 tornado with estimated peak winds up to 125 MPH, and was 400 yards wide, according to the National Weather Service.

13-year-old Elle Geislinger, sister of Clippers pitcher Matt Geislinger helps run the concession stand with her 14-year-old cousin, Luke Jansen during Clippers games.

“Everyone around here really likes baseball,” said Jansen. “So you would think that it helps bring people closer after the storm.”

“Yeah, this place is like a second home to me,” Geislinger added. “And everyone has been helping each other around here to clean up, so this is a good getaway.”

The Watkins Clippers took home the victory on Sunday afternoon against the St. Augusta Gussies, with a final score of 5-1.