After more than a year of not playing in front of fans, many MLB teams will be opening the gates to spectators for Opening Day 2021.
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But there will be changes this season as the country still deals with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Update 4:08 p.m. EDT April 1: One game has already been canceled because of COVID-19. MLB announced that the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the New York Mets on Thursday night was postponed due to coronavirus issues.
MLB said that “out of abundance of caution” the game will also not be played on Friday, which was the buffer day built into the schedule for Opening Day postponements.
The next game scheduled between the two teams is Saturday at 4:05 p.m. EDT, ESPN reported.
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Original report: Teams will also not all have the same restrictions as stadium capacity is set by state and local governments.
Teams like the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates will have attendance limits ranging from 12% to 33%.
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Cities like Houston will allow 50% of stands filled, or about 20,500 fans will be able to watch first pitch of the Astros season, ESPN reported.
The Texas Rangers will allow all seats to be filled, with no capacity limit set for its April 5 home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN. Globe Life Field will be limited after the team’s first home game to allow socially distanced seats. Masks will be required at the stadium despite the governor’s lifting of the state’s previous mandatory mask policy.
Not all agree it is the best move to allow 100% capacity at the Rangers’ first game.
President Joe Biden weighed in telling ESPN, “Well, that’s a decision they made. I think it’s a mistake. They should listen to Dr. [Anthony] Fauci, the scientists and the experts. But I think it’s not responsible.”
To see what each MLB team is doing to curb the spread of COVID-19, CBS Sports compiled all of the regulations here.
This year marks the first time since 1968 that every MLB team was scheduled to have a game on the same Opening Day if there were no postponements, USA Today reported.
Thursday morning, the Red Sox announced the game against the Baltimore Orioles was postponed to Friday due to weather.
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To see the opening day schedule of games, click here.
MLB has sent a memo urging people associated with the game to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling teams that when 85% of players and primary field staff are vaccinated, then some restrictions will be eliminated, Sports Illustrated reported. But the league is not making the vaccine a requirement.
Wrigley Field employees work inside of the stadium on the opening day baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Chicago. Fans are back at the ballpark after they were shut out during the regular season last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)
Two fans watch from the stands during team warmups before a major league baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays on opening day at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
A person takes a photo of the Wrigley Field marquee, early morning on the opening day baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Chicago. From New York to Seattle and everywhere in between, it’s a much different opening day in 2021. Fans are back at the ballpark after they were shut out during the regular season last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)
Two young fans try to get a player’s attention to throw them a ball during Toronto Blue Jays warmups before the Blue Jays opening day baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Fans reach for a ball thrown to them by a Toronto Blue Jays player before a major league baseball game against the New York Yankees on opening day at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Fans in left field reach for a ball bouncing beneath them as the Toronto Blue Jays warmed up before a major league baseball game on opening day at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
People walk their dog early morning outside of Wrigley Field on the opening day baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Chicago. From New York to Seattle and everywhere in between, it’s a much different opening day in 2021. Fans are back at the ballpark after they were shut out during the regular season last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)
The Toronto Blue Jays take to the field for a team warmup before a major league baseball game against the New York Yankees on opening day at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
A street hawker attempts to sell shirts to diners outside Stan’s Sports Bar near Yankee Stadium before an opening day baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in the Bronx borough of New York. Fans are back at the ballpark in limited numbers after they were shut out completely during the regular season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Spectators wait on a security line outside Yankee Stadium before an opening day baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in the Bronx borough of New York. Fans are back at the ballpark in limited numbers after they were shut out completely during the regular season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A fan watches from the stands before an opening day baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Minnesota Twins Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Yankees’ Gary Sanchez (24) greets Gleyber Torres at the plate after hitting a two-run, home run during the second inning of a major league baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on opening day at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in New York. Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (9) watches the pair. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
A fan walks past an opening day sign outside Citizens Bank Park before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Members of the Milwaukee Brewers line up before an opening day baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)