Having lost the 2020 season to the pandemic, Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson says his staffers are chomping at the bit for baseball.
"I think at this point if we had to jump through fire hoops we would do it just to see fans coming in through the gates."
Abramson promises the usual fun at the ballpark this spring and summer, as fans and team employees keep each other safe under new ballpark health and safety guidelines released Wednesday.
"Nothing is going to surprise anybody," says Abramson. "At this point, we're all used to doing certain things, so when fans come out to games, they can expect to wear their mask, unless they're actively eating or drinking."
Fans will be seated in socially distanced pods of between two and six people.
Several other guidelines involve limiting direct physical contact between fans and employees. Tickets sold in advance will be delivered to by phone and registered digitally when fans enter Dunkin' Donuts Park. Credit cards, not cash, will be accepted at concession stands.
Inflatables and some kids' games in the ballpark have been suspended for now, as have team autographs.
Team mascots Chompers and Chew Chew will be there as usual, but may have to slightly cur-tail their enthusiasm. "To what degree they're around and hugging kids and that sort of thing remains to be seen. But they're definitely going to be here, and we're going to make sure that kids have the chance to meet them and get their pictures taken."
Opening Night is set for May 11th against the Portland Sea Dogs. The team says individual game tickets will go on sale soon.