Beer and baseball could be on tap

For the second year, Willmar will join many communities in hosting Northwoods League summer baseball games.

Rep. Bruce Vogel (R-Willmar) and Sen. Joe Gimse (R-Willmar) sponsor HF829/ SF551* that would allow a city to issue an on-sale wine and an on-sale malt liquor license to owners of the teams or the concessionaires.

Vogel told the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee April 4 of the bill’s urgency. The law currently allows for the sale of 3.2 percent beer, and “in its inaugural season, too much beer was ordered,” by the Willmar concessionaire, he said. The team owners don’t want to make the same mistake again, but since the order is for the full season, it has to be placed soon.

The bill would allow sales on all days of the week to people attending a game at the park or stadium.

Approved by the committee, the bill awaits action by the full House. It was passed by the Senate 53-8 on March 24.