The next year held a twinge of melancholy, knowing that it would be the last in a park that meant so much to so many. The last “normal” Opening Day for me was 2018 - my first at The Athletic. It balances delicately on that shaky fence between the desert of desperation and the boggy marsh of entitlement, acknowledging the peril of gravity but thanking the sinew in the legs, the strength in the core, and the fluid in the inner ears that keep it centered - for this moment, at least. I’m talking about capital-G Gratitude, real and humble as the dirt the mitochondria of happiness, the seed from which contentment sprouts. I don’t even mean the “well it could always be worse, be grateful your suffering isn’t as bad as someone else’s!” guilt that would have us bottle up every negative emotion. The Rangers’ stadium hosted about 50 high school graduation ceremonies last summer, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December and a college baseball tournament last month.To clarify: I’m not talking about gratitude in the way that those with enough power to ignore real problems say it: “You’ll take what you get, and you’ll like it - be grateful!“ Nor am I speaking of the sing-song “what’s the magic woorrrd?” lip-service politeness coaxed from us as children.
#Rangers openin day professional
Texas has been allowing some fans at sporting events, from high schools all the way through the top professional leagues, since last summer and most teams and leagues have kept attendance at sharply reduced levels. The Rangers plan to create “distanced seating” sections in certain locations of the stadium, with more space between occupied seats for all games after the home opener. The good news is the numbers are trending down,” Matwick said. “We will need fan cooperation, there’s no doubt.
Rob Matwick, the team’s executive vice president, stressed the need for fans to voluntarily comply with any requirements, but said they will be enforced when necessary. No tailgating will be allowed outside the stadium. The team will enforce social distancing for fans entering and exiting the ballpark, as well as when in lines for concessions or merchandise. The Rangers are installing plexiglass barriers on top of the dugouts and along the back and sides of the bullpens.Īll concession and merchandising transactions this season will be cashless, tickets will be digital and the roof will remain open during games when weather permits. Leibman, who is part of the Rangers’ ownership group, said MLB allows teams to operate under local capacity policy, as long as adequate protection for players is in place. A team spokesman said it was “still being worked on” when asked about capacity on Wednesday. It’s unclear if they will change that plan in the wake of Abbott’s order. The Houston Astros announced in January that they would allow fans to attend games at 25% capacity this season, which would allow about 10,300 fans.
#Rangers openin day series
Abbott was on hand for the World Series opener, where he got to deliver the “Play Ball!” message before a crowd of 11,388. The Rangers will require fans to wear masks for games, unless they are actively eating and drinking at their seats, as was the case for the postseason major league games played at their $1.2 billion stadium in Arlington, Texas, in October.Īfter the Rangers played all 30 of their home games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season without fans, MLB allowed about 28% capacity at the retractable-roof stadium for the National League Championship Series and World Series that were played there exclusively.
Local officials are still able to impose “mitigation strategies,” such as reduced capacity, if virus hospitalizations exceed 15% of all hospital capacity in their region over certain periods.Įven with his order, Abbott has encouraged the public to continue practicing social distancing measures and wearing masks, though they are no longer mandated.
The pandemic could still alter the team’s intent to host a capacity crowd at the 40,518-seat Globe Life Field, which the Rangers opened last year without fans in the stands. “With all the protocols that we’re following, we’ll be extremely responsible and provide a very comfortable environment for somebody to enjoy the game without worrying we’re going to be a spreader event.” “We’re very confident we won’t be a super-spreader event,” said Leibman, who is also the team’s president of business operations.
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