Leave it to the Saints to one-up the Twins on creating a new era in outdoor baseball in Minnesota.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, at Midway Stadium, which is sure to be covered with snow, the Saints plan to stage a baseball game.

Outdoors.

It's all for Second Harvest Heartland, the hunger fighting organization, and backed by Crispin Natural Hard Cider, a Minneapolis firm that believes its product is an "icebreaker."

One of its slogans: "Are you ready for the next cold rush?"

Baseball fans better be.

Some former and current Saints players will go to bat against a team of unnamed celebrities, sure to be bundled up.

Saints spokesman Sean Aronson said the baseball field's base lines will be shoveled, but all the other snow will stay on the field . . . whereever those piles may be.

Festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m. with — what else? — tailgating.

Plus there will be bands and other entertainment. The game starts soon after 3. Admission will be free.

But all vendor proceeds will go to Second Harvest Heartland.  Fans are encouraged to donate cash, food and warm clothing. Crispin's wholesale distributor, J.J. Taylor, will match the dollar amount raised by Crispin Hard Cider consumed through bars, restaurants and liquor stores for the month of February and donate it to Second Harvest Heartland. 

Second Harvest Heartland is the Upper Midwest's largest hunger-relief organization.

Earlier this month, the National Hockey League played an outdoor game at Chicago's Wrigley Field, home of baseball's Chicago Cubs.

Said Aronson: "If hockey can play in a baseball stadium, why can't baseball?"

That's the sort of deep question only the Saints might ask ... and answer.