Baseball is finally back! The MLB is now finishing up the first weekend of games without fans in attendance. Overall, it has been a success thus far.
This has given sports fans another sport to watch and wager on after months of limited options. The 60-game season might even provide a little more drama and excitement than usual.
The Opening Day game was between the defending champion Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, it was rained out in the 6th inning. However, for those six innings, people were tuning in. ESPN’s coverage for the game had more viewers than any network has had for an opening night game since 2011. It was up 232% from last year’s opening game.
No Fans, But Some Noise
There aren’t any fans in the crowd, but most stadiums have cardboard cutouts of people in the stands. This provides a bit of comedy watching the game.
Players have been seen making light of the situation. Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies went and did his routine of bowing to the crowd. Cubs first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, was seen jokingly giving opposing players hand sanitizer as they reached first base.
Teams are still announcing players and using fan noises on the speakers. When a catch is made, cheers can even be heard. But the MLB announced that there wouldn’t be any booing.
“We have been directed by Major League Baseball to try our best, while creating a natural environment, not to bring that into the mix,” the Philadelphia Phillies’ Director of Broadcasting and Video Service Mark DiNardo said, laughing. “They specifically asked us that we not add boos to the mix, but it is kind of funny since everyone says that boos are ‘so Philly.'”
So no, there won’t be any booing for the Houston Astros this year. But hopefully, fans can save that for 2021.
“People know that there are not 30,000 fans at the ballpark,” DiNardo told the Philly Voice. “But what we are trying to do is recreate an environment for the players that is as close to normal as possible.
Restaurants and Bars
Even though there are no fans in the stadium doesn’t mean they won’t meet up to watch the games together. It has created a good time for restaurants and bars that have struggled during COVID-19 to get back on their feet.
The broadcasts have even shown fans gathering at places around the stadium to watch the game. Because of social distancing practices, it hasn’t been much, but better than nothing.
“The return of baseball is historically a huge day for restaurants, especially in the Denver-area, but I would say, really all over the state,” Sonia Riggs, spokeswoman for the Colorado Restaurant Association, told the Denver Channel. “We’re very lucky that Colorado has such great weather and that it’s conducive for people to do outdoor dining.”
Hopefully, safe practices can continue in the MLB and the bars. This season will be different, but fans are happy to have it back on TV.
