(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
By Cale Eirich
(ARLINGTON, Tex.) With Major League Baseball leaving the decision on crowd capacity up to each organization, the Texas Rangers became the first to announce they will allow attendance at full capacity for Opening Day on Wednesday, according to CBS Sports.
In the organization's announcement regarding single-game ticket sales, President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Neil Leibman cited clearance from the Governor's Office to allow fans into Globe Life Park, making the Rangers the first team to allow a capacity crowd since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020.
“The Rangers are encouraged that the Governor’s Office has given clearance for us to fully open Globe Life Field at the start of the 2021 Major League Baseball season,” said Leibman.
The Rangers played their first season at the Globe Life Field in 2020, but the team has yet to grace their new stadium in front of a home crowd. However, the stadium has seen a crowd as it hosted the 2020 National League Championship Series, where the MLB allowed 11,500 fans per game.
The Rangers will be allowing full capacity (40,518) for Opening Day against the Bluejays on April 5 and two exhibition games against the Brewers on March 29-30.
After Opening Day, the organization said it will go to "distanced seating" by designating sections that will allow more space between occupied seats.
Masks will be required for all in attendance, along with other required health and safety measures outlined by the organization that will include no player autographs before or after games.
“We will require all those who enter Globe Life Field to wear a mask or face covering, and are working with Major League Baseball on some additional protocols required for player health and safety," said Liebman. "We will continue to monitor developments and implement the necessary public health measures. We are excited that Rangers fans will finally be able to experience all that Globe Life Field has to offer.”
17 MLB teams have announced that they will open the season with fans in the stands at varying capacities, while 11 ball clubs are undecided.
The Minnesota Twins are listed as "likely yes" while they await approval for 25% capacity from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and the Washington Nationals are a "no - but could change" after the District of Columbia said they will revisit the team's request in about two weeks.
The entire list of each organization's current standing regarding fan capacity can be found here.