
All the high-tech bells and whistles at the Minnesota Twins ballpark might thrill many who attend the games, but for others the unnatural outdoor noise can be quite disturbing and too often forces them to leave the ball game altogether.
Sheletta Brundidge, WCCO Radio host, author, and podcast maven, has four children, three with autism: Brandon, 9; Cameron, 8; and Daniel, 7. She has persistently brought up to team officials that a place within the ballpark where children like hers, who sometimes need a break from the noise, can retreat, regroup, then return to their paid seats to finish watching the game.
âI have a son who is in high school [15-year-old Andrew] who does not have autism but has three younger siblings who do,â noted Brundidge. âHe has had to leave the game because he canât stay because [his siblings] will have a meltdown, and we have nowhere to take them to calm down.â
Brundidge and other families with special needs children and adults last week toured the new suite-level Sensory Room the Twins installed for use this season and beyond.
âSheâs been very outspoken to me about it,â Matt Hodson, the Twinsâ senior business communications manager, told us of Brundidgeâs insistence. âShe now would feel comfortable to bring her children here where she wasnât before.â
The spacious Sensory Suite, formerly a $200,000 suite for sale called âSuite 1,â has unique, separated spaces specifically designed to meet different needs of children and adults. It is the result of a partnership with the Twins and UnitedHealthcare, who provided training for Twins game-day staff to work with fans whenever needed.
âThereâs a room more focused towards the children,â explained Hodson. âThere is an area that has a view of the playing field. This is really unique as far as we know. We’ve been able to find only one other major league baseball stadium [Pittsburgh] that offers a sensory suite that has a view of the playing surface.
âThis will allow guests to still feel involved and also to help ease the transition back to [their seats],â stressed Hodson. The new suite is available to all paying patrons, he added.

âItâs a game-changer,â said Brundidge, who left behind copies of her new book, âBrandon Spots His Sign,â for use by Sensory Suite visitors. âIn times past weâve had to leave the game and not come back, and this was money wasted, time wasted, and the other kids who donât have autism are disappointed.
âThis sensory-friendly room allows families and parents who have kids with special needs to take their kids somewhere, calm them down, and then continue to enjoy the game so we donât have to leave,â she pointed out.
Hodson added, âWe will have sensory kits that can be checked out free of charge for guests throughout the ballpark. All Guest Services staff will be trained to be able to identify folks [who] might be uncomfortable and might need a place to calm downâŠhave that respite from the sound or whatever in the environment has perhaps agitated them.â
Now the Twins can say that their ballpark is for everyone, which in the past wasnât necessarily the case. âWe are very proud to offer an environment now that everyone can feel they can come and enjoy Twins baseball,â said Hodson.
Next: The Twins âtriple downâ on 2022 stadium game-day food diversity.
Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
What a great example of the power that advocacy can have in our community. Much respect for Sheletta and her family.