Two major league clubs (MLB) based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, will be able to receive spectators from the opening game.
The US sports media ESPN reported on the 9th (Korean time) that the city authorities in Chicago decided to allow spectators to enter from April 1, local time.
The MLB regular season starts on April 1.
The Chicago Cubs play their opening game at Wrigley Field, their home stadium.
The Chicago White Sox’s home opening game is on April 8th local time.
Chicago Mayor Laurie Lightfoot said, “As a fan of a dead and dying sport, I am personally excited to see Chicago carefully taking its first step towards the audience this season.”
Chicago plans to limit spectators to 20% of the capacity first.
In this case, 8,274 people can enter Wrigley Field, and 8,122 people can enter the Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox.
Following the admission of spectators from California, the largest state in the United States, to Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest, most of the stands were lifted.
ESPN reported that at least 25 teams out of 30 teams in MLB announced plans to enter the audience on the opening day.
According to the Daily Wall Street Journal in the United States, 40% of the baseball team’s sales come from spectators”experience in the stadium’, such as admission fees and food and beverage sales.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “For the sake of MLB, we are grateful for the decision made by the Lightfoot Mayor. MLB will continue to require fans to comply with the guidelines for quarantine against the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19),” said Commissioner Rob Manfred.
/yunhap news
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