For both New York baseball teams, the regular season is approaching fast. When it arrives, there will be fans in the seats of Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for the first time in well over a year.
On Thursday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced that both teams would be permitted to allow fans into their respective stadiums. There will be a 20% capacity limit for each.
In addition to limited capacity, there will be several more precautions. They include:
- Proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, or a negative test within 72 hours, are required for fans to enter the stadiums.
- Fans will have their temperature checked before entering.
- Fans must wear masks, except when eating/drinking at their seats.
The two stadiums aren’t doing everything exactly the same, however. Yankee Stadium will be offering tickets in pods of one to eight people. The maximum amount of people in one pod at Citi Field will be six.
20% capacity shakes out to 8,384 fans at Citi Field. Yankee Stadium will hold a max of 10,850 fans under the current cap. Details regarding when tickets will go on sale have yet to be announced. Every ticket sold will be a digital one, allowing the stadiums to scan them via smartphones. As of right now, no physical tickets are set to be sold.
New York Baseball
Governor Cuomo said that the capacities can increase as the season continues, as long as “COVID rates continue to improve”.
Yankees GM Hal Steinbrenner said, “Our fans have made our home a preeminent worldwide attraction, and their excitement is the catalyst for the championship goals we set every season. We are thrilled to be able to have them back in 2021 and promise them the highest standards for health and safety this season and beyond.”
New Mets owner Steve Cohen added, “We’re really excited about the season ahead and welcoming the best fans in baseball back — safely — to Citi Field.”
The Mets last played in front of their home fans on September 29, 2019. A crowd of 31,523 saw the team end their season with a 7-6 walkoff victory over the Braves. Dominic Smith hit a 3-run homer to win the game with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning.
When the Mets play their home opener on April 8, it will have been 557 days since fans last entered Citi Field. For the Yankees, they will open their season at home on April 1, 531 days since the last game with fans at Yankee Stadium.
NY Pitchers Weigh In
Two former New York pitching legends were present at Cuomo’s press conference, as well.
C.C Sabathia, a Yankee from 2009-2019, spoke on the governor’s decision, saying “As a fan now, being able to be in the stadium cheering on the Yankees, I’m just excited.”
Al Leiter, a veteran of both New York teams, was also present. He was a Yankee from 1987-1989, and again in 2005. He pitched for the Mets from 1998-2004.
“There’s no doubt about it: When you’re playing in front of a big crowd and they’re cheering you or they’re booing you, man, there’s nothing like it,” Leiter said.
A Taste of Spring
Players have already gotten a bit of a feel for the fans this spring. Crowds are allowed (in a limited capacity) at stadiums throughout Spring Training. However, they have naturally been much smaller than the potential crowds in either New York stadium.
As of press time, there is only 12 days remaining until the 2021 regular season begins. As both teams attempt to finalize their rosters and end the spring on a positive note, they now have something big to look forward to when the season does begin.
Both teams are currently battling various degrees of uncertainty. The Yankees are dealing with roster battles for bench spots, and for the fifth spot in the rotation. The team will also be without Zack Britton for several months, leaving some questions in their bullpen.
The Mets suffered a big injury as well, as they recently lost Carlos Carrasco for an estimated 6-8 weeks. There is also some uncertainty regarding an extension for Francisco Lindor, among other contract talks.
However, for both teams, there is one thing that is certain. When they return to their home stadiums, there will be fans there to greet them.
