The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the 2021 season with fans at their home games.
Only about 7,000 fans will be allowed in per game, with fans sitting in small pods distanced from other groups, the team confirmed. Masks will be required under Major League Baseball’s rules.
Part of the Trop’s upper deck is likely to be reopened to increase capacity and make use of the available space, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported and the Rays confirmed. Concession service is expected to be altered to accommodate distancing requirements. How close to the field fans will be able to sit, whether plexiglass barriers will be installed and how many seats will be in a pod are among the issues to be decided, Topkin found.
The Rays season opener is set for April 9 against the Yankees.
Tampa Bay did not have fans in the stands for the shortened 2020 season.
We will continue to monitor developments about fans at the Rays games as the season gets closer.
