An increasing number of Major League Baseball teams are making plans to fill their stadiums this summer.
According to The Associated Press, the Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers each announced plans Thursday to begin filling their stadiums to 100 percent capacity by July. The trio will join the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals as teams operating — or with plans to begin operating — at full capacity as the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact lessens across the United States.
The new moves will take some time to implement. The Twins, who have been operating at 25 percent capacity at Target Field, announced, they will increase to 60 percent from May 14-30, then 80 percent in June and 100 percent on July 5. Beginning Friday, there are no more physical distancing requirements at Target Field, although face coverings are required when anyone at least 2 years old isn’t actively eating or drinking.
“Our fans are what make baseball great, as they truly transform Target Field into our home ballpark, and a day or evening at the Twins game into lifelong memories,” Twins president and CEO Dave St. Peter said in a statement. “To that end, we are grateful that our state and region continue to be on a path toward improved health and a return to normalcy, and we are absolutely thrilled to begin our measured, responsible and safe ramp up to 100 percent capacity at the ballpark. We look forward to continue bringing our community together through Twins baseball this season, and we cannot wait to see — and hear — a full house at Target Field.”
The Brewers have also been operating at 25 percent at American Family Field. They will shift to 50 percent fan capacity Saturday, and 100 percent on June 25.
The Phillies announced that they will increase capacity from 11,000 fans to 16,000 starting Friday. Citizens Bank Park will be allowed 100 percent capacity starting June 12, with limited social-distancing pods still available.
New York also gave the Yankees and Mets permission to increase capacity from 20 percent to 100 percent starting May 19, but only for vaccinated fans.
The Rangers were the only team to start the season at 100 percent, while the Braves moved to 100 percent May 7, the Diamondbacks plan to May 25 and the Nationals plan to June 11.
Related content: Texas Rangers Return Full Crowds to American Sports
