PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There were more cheering fans in South Philadelphia on Easter Sunday.
The Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Braves on a day when the number of fans allowed in the ballpark increased. After allowing up to 8,800 fans in the stands for the first two games, the limit was raised to 11,000 on Sunday. A total of 10,773 fans were at the game, and Phillies radio play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke noticed the difference from the press box.
"You think of the Hall of Fame level," said Franzke on the air. "The 200 level if you will, and the 300 level, all in the right field corner, both left and right of the pole, those sections have been empty the first two games but they are loaded up now."
Alec Bohm delivered the game-winning hit for the Phillies. Bohm said the sounds of fans in the stands at the ballpark made a difference during the sweep of Atlanta on opening weekend.
"It’s awesome," Bohm said. "It's electric out there. I don't know where we're at, if 50 or whatever percent, but it's loud out there and we definitely love having those guys back."
The Phillies have ten more home games in April, including three this week against the Mets. With vaccinations increasing, there is a chance the capacity number could go up again as the season progresses.