Opening Day for the 2021 Major League Baseball season is steadily approaching. Beginning April 1, fans will be rushing to their home team’s stadiums to watch their beloved teams play. In many cases, it will be the first time since the pandemic shut down sports in 2020.
Even though the stadiums are opening, there will be guidelines to follow and limitations. Unfortunately, they will not be uniform because it is not up to MLB officials. State and local governments have the majority of say in determining how many fans can safely attend the live sporting events. Of course, the figure could change and fluctuate with the spread of COVID-19 and vaccinations.
Though the stadiums will most likely not be full of fans, it will be a far cry from the attendance level from last year. All regular and most postseason contest games for 2020 were played in front of empty stands. The National League Championship Series and the World Series, both played at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, were played in front of a limited capacity, approximately 28% of being full.
Plans for this year’s season are still in the works. However, some plans and protocols are available.
The Arizona Diamondbacks home opener will be April 9 against the Cincinnati Reds. This game will allow a 25% capacity, approximately 12,000 people. The Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall said in a press release that he hopes the plan works.
“Hopefully, things will go smooth, we’ll see these numbers continue to go down and we can offer many more seats in the second, third, fourth month, if we can,” he said during a Fox Sports Arizona’s broadcast.
The Atlanta Braves will also have their home opener on April 9 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Approximately 13,500 fans will be allowed in attendance, making the stadium at 33% capacity. The following home games’ capacity will be re-evaluated for each game. Derek Schiller, president and CEO for the Braves, said he looks forward to the healing fun of baseball.
“After a long and difficult year, we are excited to welcome Braves fans back to Truist Park beginning on April 9.” Schiller said in a statement. “Baseball has had a healing affect over the course of our history, and we look forward to being a place where our fans can come, have fun and enjoy cheering on their favorite team in a welcoming environment.”
The Baltimore Orioles will open against the Boston Red Sox on April 8. They will be at 25% capacity, approximately 11,000 fans. On the flip side, the Boston Red Sox will have their home opener playing the Baltimore Orioles on April 1 to a 12% capacity crowd. Fenway park is smaller than most stadiums, so, it will be approximately 4,500 fans.
The Chicago Cubs will play the Pittsburg Pirates on April 1 to a 20% capacity crowd, approximately 8,300 fans.
On April 8, the Chicago White Sox play the Kansas City Royals in their home opener. They will have a 20% capacity crowd, approximately 8,100 fans.
The Cincinnati Reds face the Arizona Diamondbacks for their season opener on April 1. Just like when the two teams collide for Arizona’s opener, they will have play in front of a crowd of 12,700. That is equal to a 30% capacity.
The rest of the schedule is as follows: Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals on April 5 to a 30% capacity. The Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers on April 1 to a 42.6% capacity.
The Detroit Tigers clash with the Cleveland Indians on April 1 to a 20% capacity crowd. On April 8, the Houston Astros face the Oakland Athletics to an undetermined number of fans.
The Kansas City Royals face the Texas Rangers on April 1 to a 30% capacity crowd.
On April 1, the Los Angeles Angles face off against the Chicago White Sox to a 20% capacity crowd.
The Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals on April 9 to a 20% capacity.
The Miami Marlins face the Tampa Bay Rays on April 1 to a 25% capacity crowd.
On April 1, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Minnesota Twins will clash in front of a 25% capacity crowd.
The Minnesota Twins take on the Seattle Mariners on April 8 to a 25% capacity crowd.
The New York Mets have their home opener on April 8 against the Miami Marlins to a 20% capacity crowd.
On April 1, the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays in front of a 20% capacity crowd.
The Oakland Athletics fight the Houston Astros on April 1 to a 20% capacity crowd.
On April 1, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves fight it out to a 20% capacity crowd.
The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Chicago Cubs on April 8 to a 20% capacity crowd.
The San Diego Padres face the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 1 in front of a 20% capacity.
On April 9, the San Francisco Giants face the Colorado Rockies in front of a 20% capacity crowd.
The Seattle Mariners and the New York Giants battle on April 1 to a 20% capacity crowd.
The St. Louis Cardinals face the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8 in front of a 32% capacity crowd.
On April 9, the Tampa Bay Rays face the New York Yankees to a crowd with a 20% capacity.
The Texas Rangers’ home opener on April 5 is against the Toronto Blue Jays and to an amazing 100% capacity crowd.
The Toronto Blue Jays face the Los Angeles Angles on April 8 in front of a small 15% capacity.
The Washington Nationals vs. the New York Mets on April 1 to an even smaller 12% capacity crowd.