The Enge family of Thief River Falls, Minn., was planning to spend Saturday’s Twins-Cubs game at Target Field, celebrating the survival of Allie Enge, who survived brain surgery three years ago, almost to the day.

“We wanted good seats. Nolan wanted to go before, get autographs, catch some balls, meet some of the players,” Enge told Valley News Live.

Nolan’s grandfather had purchased the tickets for $1,300 for the family outing of seven. Then someone stole the tickets out of his truck, which he’d left unlocked in Fridley.

“Somebody always has it worse,” Enge told KSTP last week, figuring it was a lost cause. “That is what we keep telling the kids.”

The police couldn’t do anything and Ticket King reportedly refused to reissue the tickets.

“When we hear stories like that, it’s heart breaking. Especially when you’re talking to our fans. A family who has had dramatic things happen and wanted to make the Twins a part of the celebration,” said Kevin Smith, Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Broadcasting with the Twins.

The team canceled the stolen tickets, issued new ones, and made the youngster the ballboy for the day.

(h/t: Ann Arbor Miller)