The Rays are planning to open the '21 season with a "limited number of fans attending games at Tropicana Field." Seating will be "limited to around 7,000 per game, with fans sitting in small pods distanced from other groups." Masks "will be required" under MLB’s rules. The Rays are "hoping conditions are more favorable by April -- as vaccines become more available and cases stop spiking -- and that they can increase capacity as the season goes on." How close to the field fans "will be able to sit, whether plexiglass barriers will be installed and how many seats will be in a pod are among the issues to be decided" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/15).
Meanwhile, Cardinals President Bill DeWitt on whether they will have fans in attendance said, "It’s probably a good bet we’ll start with restrictions and protocols." He added, "We’re certainly hoping to be able to open it up to everyone as soon as possible. We’re sort of budgeting mid-season, but that could come earlier or come later. We’re certainly hoping and I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll be able to be unrestricted at some point in the season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/15).
