MLB matchups to allow limited onlookers

Article posted by Coliseum, March 10^th, 2021

Image: MLB

The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) (US) season is the upcoming season slated to begin on April 1^st and end on October 3^rd. The 91^st All-Star Game is scheduled to be played on July 13^th at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The World Series is scheduled to begin on October 26^th and a potential Game 7 is scheduled for November 3^rd.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) is an American professional baseball organization and the oldest of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. A total of 30 teams play in Major League Baseball: 15 teams in the National League and 15 in the American League.

With Opening Day fast approaching, MLB teams are preparing to welcome fans back to their digs at limited capacity.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred informed teams before spring training began that fans will be permitted to attend regular season games subject to State and local health guidelines allowing the same.

In a memo to teams, he outlined the minimum health and safety requirements for social distancing that include compulsory wearing of face coverings and selling tickets in small groups of pods at least six feet apart, among others.

No fans attended games last season until the National League Championship Series and World Series at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. Fans have been attending spring training games in Arizona and Florida.

Since the COVID-19 storm is still blowing in the United States, the teams’ plans on having onlookers could change by Opening Day.

Teams are still working with State and local health authorities to set policies and protocols to ensure the health and safety of fans, employees and players amid the coronavirus curse.

An overview of which teams will allow fans and at what capacity:

Fans in the stands

Atlanta Braves – The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League East division.

The 41,084-capacity Truist Park is a baseball park located in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Georgia (US). It has been the home ballpark for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball since 2017.

Fans’ status: Though the club is aiming for 25 percent capacity but a final decision will be taken no later than March 12^th.

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Arizona Diamondbacks, often shortened as the D-backs, are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division.

The 48,519-capacity Chase Field, formerly Bank One Ballpark, is a baseball park located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona (US). It is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise. It opened in 1998, in time for the Diamondbacks’ first game as an expansion team.

Fans’ status: To host fans at 25 percent capacity at Chase Field

Baltimore Orioles – The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division.

The 45,971-capacity Oriole Park at Camden Yards, often referred to as just Oriole Park or Camden Yards, is a Major League Baseball (MLB) ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland (US). Home to the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the “retro” major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Fans’ status: To be announced (TBA)

Boston Red Sox – The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston (US). They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League East division.

The 37,731-capacity Fenway Park is a baseball park located in Boston, Massachusetts (US). Since 1912, it has been the home for the Boston Red Sox.

Fans’ status: Will allow approximately 4,500 fans at Fenway Park at 12 percent capacity.

Chicago Cubs – The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago (US). The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League Central division.

The 41,649-capacity Wrigley Field is a baseball park located on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the City’s two Major League Baseball franchises.

Fans’ status: Fans will be allowed at 20 percent capacity to start the season – roughly 8,000 fans at the Cubs’ Wrigley Field residence.

Chicago White Sox – The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago (US). They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League Central division.

The 40,615-capacity Guaranteed Rate Field is a baseball park located in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The ballpark serves as the home ballpark for Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox.

Fans’ status: Fans will be allowed at 20 percent capacity to start the season.

Cincinnati Reds – The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati (US). They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League Central division.

The 42,319-capacity Great American Ball Park is a baseball stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, which is the home field of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds.

Fans’ status: Could be allowed up to 30 percent capacity.

Cleveland Indians – The Cleveland Indians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland (US). The Indians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League Central division.

The 35,041-capacity Progressive Field is a baseball park located in the downtown area of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the home field of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Will host fans in 30 percent capacity – circa 10,500 supporters will be allowed.

Colorado Rockies – The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver (US). The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division.

The 50,398-capacity Coors Field is a baseball park located in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is the home field of the Colorado Rockies, the city’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: Will host 12,500 fans, the equivalent to 25 percent of Coors Field’s capacity.

Detroit Tigers – The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit (US). The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League Central division.

The 41,083-capacity Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in Downtown Detroit. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Only 1,000 fans will be allowed for Opening Day, less than 3 percent of Comerica Park’s official capacity.

Houston Astros – The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston (US). The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League West division.

The 41,168-capacity Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States, which opened in 2000 as the home stadium of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Capacity will be limited to about 25 percent.

Kansas City Royals – The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League Central division.

The 37,903-capacity Kauffman Stadium, often called ‘The K’, is a baseball park located in Kansas City, Missouri (US). It is home to the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: The team is planning to have roughly 30 percent capacity, which would mean a little more than 11,000 fans.

Los Angeles Angels – The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California (US). The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League West division.

The 45,050-capacity Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California, and serves as the residence of Los Angeles Angels.

Fans’ status: Can admit no more than 100 fans, cannot sell concessions and cannot admit fans that live outside the region.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles (US). The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division.

The 56,000-capacity Dodger Stadium is a baseball park in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fans’ status: Can admit no more than 100 fans, cannot sell concessions and cannot admit fans that live outside the region.

Miami Marlins – The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami (US). The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League East division.

The 36,742-capacity Marlins Park is a baseball park located in Miami, Florida. It is the current home of the Miami Marlins, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: The team announced that the stadium will be limited to about 25 percent of capacity. That would mean a maximum of about 9,300 spectators.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee (US). The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League Central division.

The 41,900-capacity American Family Field is a baseball park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is home to the Milwaukee Brewers, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: The Brewers will begin the season at 25 percent capacity, or between 11,000 and 12,000 fans.

Minnesota Twins – The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis (US). The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League Central Division.

The 39,504-capacity Target Field is a baseball park in the historic warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the State’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: The team is hoping for a return of a little more than 10,000 fans, just more than 25 percent capacity of Target Field. An announcement will be made very soon as to the exact number of spectators to be granted entry.

New York Mets – The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League East division.

The 41,922-capacity Citi Field is a baseball park located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in New York City. Completed in 2009, it is the home field of the New York Mets of the National League East division of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Will allow fans at 10 percent capacity.

New York Yankees – The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League East division.

The 54,251-capacity Yankee Stadium is a baseball park located in Concourse, Bronx, New York City. It is the home field for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Fans’ status: Will allow 5,500 fans at Yankee Stadium. Entrants must show a negative PCR test for COVID-19 administered within 72 hours of the game. Masks are required, as are temperature checks and social distancing practices. Exceptions will not be made for those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Oakland Athletics – The Oakland Athletics, often referred to as the ‘A’s’, are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California (US). The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League West division.

The 63,132-capacity RingCentral Coliseum, historically and often commonly referred to as the Oakland Coliseum, is a multipurpose stadium in Oakland, California, United States, which is home to the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Fans’ status: Can admit no more than 100 fans, cannot sell concessions and cannot admit fans that live outside the region.

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh (US). The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League Central division.

The 38,362-capacity PNC Park is a baseball park located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: 20 percent of maximum capacity at outdoor venues.

Philadelphia Phillies – The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia (US). They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League East division.

The 43,035-capacity Citizens Bank Park is a baseball park located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within the City’s South Philadelphia Sports Complex. It is the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: 20 percent of maximum capacity at outdoor venues, which is about 8,800 fans at Citizens Bank Park.

St. Louis Cardinals – The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis (US). The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League Central division.

The 45,538-capacity Busch Stadium is a baseball park located in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: Approximately, 14,500 fans will be allowed or 32 percent capacity.

San Diego Padres – The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego (US). They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division.

The 42,445-capacity Petco Park is a baseball park located in the downtown area of San Diego, California, United States, that is home to the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Can admit no more than 100 fans, cannot sell concessions and cannot admit fans that live outside the region.

San Francisco Giants – The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco (US). The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division.

The 41,915-capacity Oracle Park is a baseball park located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Since 2000, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants, the City’s Major League Baseball franchise.

Fans’ status: The Giants will be allowed to play to 20 percent capacity, about 8,000 fans at Oracle Park.

Seattle Mariners – The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League West division.

The 47,943-capacity T-Mobile Park is a retractable roof baseball park located in Seattle, Washington, United States, and is the digs of Seattle Mariners.

Fans’ status: To be decided (TBD).

Tampa Bay Rays – The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League East division.

The 42,735-capacity Tropicana Field, also commonly known as ‘The Trop’, is a domed stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, that has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball since the team’s inaugural season in 1998.

Fans’ status: Planning to allow approximately 7,000 fans per game.

Texas Rangers – The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in Arlington, Texas (US), located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division.

The 40,300-capacity Globe Life Field is a baseball park in Arlington, Texas. Since 2020, it is the home ballpark of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement that he’s phasing out restrictions and mask mandates could open the door to a greater percentage of capacity.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League East division. The team will be playing home games in Florida to start the 2021 season due to the Canada-US border closure.

The 53,506-capacity Rogers Centre is a multipurpose stadium in Downtown Toronto. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.

Fans’ status: Their first two homestands will be at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, where they will allow 15 percent capacity in the 5,509-seat venue.

Washington Nationals – The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. (US). The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League East division.

The 41,313-capacity Nationals Park is a baseball park along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It is the home ballpark for Washington Nationals.

Fans’ status: The District of Columbia has denied, for now, the club’s request to host fans at limited capacity at Nationals Park.

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