Peninsula Pilots’ home opener helps kick-start area’s return to normalcy
HAMPTON — As cleats clacked on the cement and crunched on the gravel, smoke billowed from the concession-stand grill while Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” serenaded arriving spectators.
An hour before first pitch, War Memorial Stadium’s engine finally hummed back to life.
The Coastal Plain League returned to Hampton Roads as the Peninsula Pilots held their home opener against the Wilson Tobs on Friday in Hampton. The game was in progress at press time.
“I’ve been so missing it,” Pilots owner Henry Morgan said. “I’m so delighted and excited to be here, not only for myself but for our fans and our community and for these kids that kind of got cheated out of a high school or college season.”
A return to normalcy isn’t without a few hiccups, of course.
Welcoming fans before Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck’s first pitch, Morgan’s microphone cut out, so he tossed it over his shoulder and stepped forward to shout his happiness and relief for the sport’s comeback before reminding fans of the new health guidelines.
“Social distance! Wear a mask! And we can play the whole season!” Morgan yelled, hands cupped on either side of his mouth.
The Pilots have planned for this moment. General manager Alex Ahl scrambled around the stadium, dousing metaphorical fires, giving direction to employees while constantly adjusting his facial covering.
He walked by the wood bleachers, pointing out white dots spray-painted six feet apart. They’re accurately measured, he noted, because he measured each one himself. The stadium seats 4,000, but only 1,000 are allowed during Virginia’s Phase Three reopening. Between 700-800 showed up.
Each ticket gate has an employee with a counter to make sure the number isn’t surpassed, Ahl said. Fans are also screened for COVID-19 via thermometers pointed at foreheads and a brief health questionnaire.
Masks are required to enter, credit-card payments are recommended to avoid contact, and there didn’t seem to be any apprehension. People were just excited for baseball — even the token umpire hecklerwastheretovoicehis disagreement as the Tobs scored three runs in the top of the first inning.
Cowbells clanged and cheers erupted as the Pilots scored twice in the bottom half of the first inning.
Players, split between the dugout and bullpen to maximize social distancing, sat engaged along the dugout’s ledge in between thwacks of wood bat hitting baseball.
“The kids, they just want to get on the field,” Morgan said. “You watch their feet tonight. They’re happy feet. Both teams. They’re having fun.”
The Pilots host Wilson again at 6 p.m. Sunday.