Sports stadiums in Michigan can once again sell out their seats, as today is the first day without pandemic limits on capacity at outdoor venues.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced last month that Michigan would lift crowd-size restrictions outdoors on June 1.
That date has arrived, and Sam Connell, the sales director of the Traverse City Pit Spitters, a summer collegiate league baseball team, said he and the team are excited -- and so are their fans.
“The whole atmosphere, the whole experience, is better with more people in the ballpark, because it’s a shared experience that everyone can have together,” Connell said.
“There’s a palpable buzz throughout the ballpark. Our fans are very passionate, not only about the baseball here, but also just about the fun. They’re very in-tune with what’s going on in the game and with our promotions.”
Still, he said, he anticipates the transition from 20% capacity to full sellout crowds will be gradual. People are still getting used to spending time with strangers, even though 15 months ago, that was perfectly normal, said Connell.
“Getting back together at the ballpark, sitting with a group of friends, and even a group of strangers, and having a hot dog, having a beer, and sitting and watching baseball is – it’s a great way to get back to normal and get back to things that we love doing for years,” he said.
In Midland, the Great Lakes Loons, a minor league baseball team, played the West Michigan Whitecaps on what the Loons called “Re-Opening Day.”
Both the Pit Spitters and the Loons said indoor sections of their ballparks will continue to operate with restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. According to Whitmer’s plan, those are set to be lifted July 1.