The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Team gets OK for fans at Progressive Field
The Indians on Feb. 25 announced specific plans that will allow up to 30 percent capacity for games at Progressive Field, starting with the home opener April 5 at 4:10 p.m. with the Royals.
The Indians on Feb. 25 announced specific plans that will allow up to 30 percent capacity for games at Progressive Field, starting with the home opener April 5 at 4:10 p.m. with the Royals.
A crowd of 30 percent capacity at Progressive Field would be roughly 10,000 fans. After playing in front of nothing but cardboard cutouts last season because novel coronavirus concerns caused baseball to close stadiums to fans, Indians manager Terry Francona welcomed the news the audience this year will be live.
“When the lower bowl is crowded — and I know that may not happen this year — but when the lower bowl, regardless of what the announced crowd is, when there are people in that lower bowl, it sounds good,” Francona said on Zoom from spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. “I mean, it feels good. Going from zero to anything was going to be fun, especially for the players.
“Thirty percent. You know what, man, I think that’s pretty awesome. I hope they’re able to pull it off safely and people warm up to the idea because we’ll really be thrilled if that’s the case.”
The Indians announced ticket availability for the 2021 season will be determined on a monthly basis until the ballpark is allowed to operate at full capacity again.
Indians season ticket holders will receive priority access to available tickets and seating locations, the team announced. Capacity limits will be reviewed each month based on approved health and safety protocols prior to new monthly game tickets being released. The plan was agreed to by Cleveland Clinic and Major League Baseball plus state and local public health officials, the Indians said.
Fans holding tickets for April games will be contacted by the Indians via email within two weeks.
“Tickets will be sold in pod-style seating to ensure social distancing between eligible groups when fans are seated,” the Indians announced in the news release. “Pods will be seated in quantities of two or four tickets.
“Additionally, all fans will be required to wear a Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended face mask at all times while in the ballpark unless they are actively eating or drinking in ticketed seats.”
Reopening Progresssive Field to fans comes with the following 10-point plan:
• All gates will open one hour before first pitch
• Social distancing will be required throughout all queuing locations.
• No bags allowed to speed up ballpark entry – exceptions for medical bags, diaper bags and clutch purses.
• Mobile entry – ticketless entry via Ballpark App, My Indians Tickets and the StubHub app.
• Food and beverage consumption will be confined to ticketed seating or ticketed designated standing spaces.
• Cashless transactions encouraged at all food and retail locations.
• Increased hand sanitizer stations around the ballpark.
• Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
• Outdoor air circulation pumped in to all indoor areas.
• Cleveland Clinic’s S-AF-E branding and signage throughout the ballpark to remind fans of ballpark health guidelines.