Steinbrenner has been working with Ticketmaster on how to properly social distance at the ballparkgetty images
Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner said he does "expect to see" fans in Yankee Stadium this season, "at some point to some degree," according to George King III of the N.Y. POST. With social distancing guidelines and masks being worn, Yankee Stadium "won't be packed when fans are allowed inside." Steinbrenner said, "We've done a lot of work. Ticketmaster has been great helping us out, really putting a diagram together which would keep everybody at least 6 feet apart" (N.Y. POST, 7/3). Giants P Jeff Samardzija said, "There's going to be fans in the stands. I think we've seen with these owners, they're not scared of anything, and they're not scared to put anyone at risk if they get the opportunity to, especially if it makes them money." He added, "So there's going to be people in the stands. They're going to be socially distanced and rows apart, and that's how it's going to be. Owners have already said that's what they want. To the fans, I just want them to be safe" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/4).
CHANGE OF PLANS? In Boston, Sean McAdam noted dating back to April, talks between the owners and the MLBPA were "based on the notion that games would only be played in 2020 without fans present." That belief "drove the owners' negotiating policy," so it was "distressing to see that once the 60-game schedule was implemented, a number of teams -- the Red Sox included -- began envisioning the prospect of some fans attending games at some point during the 10-week season." McAdam wondered, "Isn't that what the battle was about? Isn't this an example of bad faith on the part of the owners?" (BOSTON SPORTS JOURNAL, 7/4).
