Man, what a sight.
For the first time since March of 2020, we finally got a sporting event with a full stadium or arena.
After Texas lifted their mask mandate and capacity limits last month, the Texas Rangers announced that they would be making every seat available for all 81 of their home games at Globe Life Field this season. This makes the Rangers the first team of the four major professional sports leagues to allow full capacity at their games.
Well the team finally had their home opener today, and fans took full advantage of the opportunity to see the Rangers play in person.
So this is what a packed ballpark feels like?! Almost forgot. What a sight! pic.twitter.com/L4nz2lc7fi
— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) April 5, 2021
A look at Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers are currently playing in front of a full-capacity crowd of 40,000+ fans. pic.twitter.com/fh31UJUVMe
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 5, 2021
The world’s first 100% capacity sporting event since March 2020…
The 2021 Texas Rangers home opener.#TexasRangers @wfaa pic.twitter.com/rHDGbEme0X
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) April 5, 2021
This is also the first ever full-capacity game at Globe Life Field, which was set to open on March 23, 2020 but didn’t host a home game until July after the start of the 2020 MLB season was delayed due to the pandemic.
The stadium also hosted last year’s World Series after the MLB implemented a bubble to protect players, and allowed a limited number of fans at two of the three series held at Globe Life Field.
Fans at today’s Rangers game were still required to wear masks when they weren’t actively eating or drinking in their seats, and social distancing was still required in the concourses and concession lines. (Although as some have pointed out on Twitter, I’m not sure how strictly those requirements are being enforced).
It’s the Texas Rangers home opener — the stadium in Arlington is the only one that is opened to full capacity in all of baseball.
Rangers officials said fans are required to wear masks inside the stadium 👀
(AP/Jeffrey McWhorter) pic.twitter.com/9gpMJ6sMX2
— The Recount (@therecount) April 5, 2021
President Biden also called the full capacity crowd “a mistake.”
President Biden criticizes the Texas Rangers’ decision to allow full-capacity crowds for Opening Day:
“I think it’s a mistake. They should listen to Dr. Fauci and the scientists and the experts.” pic.twitter.com/MjCZpuLZMN
— The Recount (@therecount) April 1, 2021
The team also installed plexiglass barriers behind the dugouts and bullpens so that they could protect players while still allowing fans to occupy those seats.
And for future games, the Rangers will offer “distanced seating” in some sections to provide a space for fans who want to maintain social distancing at their seats. (Honestly, that sounds like something I would jump on just for the extra leg room).
Man, I was starting to think we’d never see the day where we had crowds like this at events again.
And while there are obviously people who are concerned that the Rangers are moving too fast in allowing a full stadium at their games, it seems like we’re getting closer and closer to a return to normal in the live event and concert space.
It’s so close I can almost taste that $20 concert beer.
And that first one back is gonna be the best beer I ever drink.
