As spring training approaches, here's how many visitors would be allowed in ballparks

Metro Phoenix ballparks are preparing for spring training baseball to start on schedule, despite pleas to delay the season made by the Cactus League and a coalition of Valley mayors.

After they sent a letter to Major League Baseball and asked the organization to pump the brakes, MLB proposed delaying the season by one month. The players union in response said it is ready to proceed with spring training on schedule, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 17 and the planned slate of games. 

The MLB on Friday released an updated schedule, saying games will start on Feb. 28 and run through March.

"Cactus League host municipalities are working with stakeholders to finalize preparations for opening spring training camps," Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher said in a statement.

Several Phoenix area cities have approved COVID-19 mitigation plans that will require face masks and limit fans at the ballparks. One of the most visited, the Chicago Cubs ballpark in Mesa, for instance, plans to limit attendance to 4,000 instead of the usual 15,000. 

"We’ll make it safe. Baseball is loved in our community, but it’s not as loved as the public health, so we’ll make sure that the appropriate safeguards are in place so that these games can be played without risking additional spread of the virus," Mesa Mayor John Giles told The Arizona Republic. "Our preference would have been to delay the season, but we’ll make this work."

What does spring training look like during a pandemic?

Arizona spring training was cut short in 2020, one of the first big signs the virus would become a full-fledged pandemic. Now, a year into the global health crisis, the plan is for spring training to proceed with mitigation strategies in place.

Cities that are home to the Valley's 10 spring training ballparks had to review COVID-19 mitigation plans. 

The plans vary somewhat from city to city, but most call for face masks, physical distancing and limited capacity. Some stadiums, like American Family Fields of Phoenix, which is home to the Milwaukee Brewers, will include disclaimers on every ticket that warn in all caps, "COVID-19 IS AN EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE THAT CAN LEAD TO ILLNESS AND DEATH."

Jeff Barton, Phoenix assistant city manager, in a letter to the spring training stadium operators, noted that the city's "approval does not mean your guests, or your staff, are not at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Plans by ballpark

Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa. Home of the Chicago Cubs:

• Nearly 27% capacity, allowing 4,000 fans into the stadium that normally holds 15,000.
• Face masks required except while eating or drinking. Masks available for fans who arrive without one.
• Socially distanced seating enforced.
• Hand sanitizer stations installed throughout the stadium, and increased cleaning and disinfecting.

Hohokam Stadium, 1235 N. Center St., Mesa. Home of the Oakland Athletics: 

• 20% capacity, allowing 2,000 fans into the stadium that normally holds 10,000.
• Face masks required for everyone older than 2 years old, except when they are eating or drinking.
• Hand sanitizing stations throughout the ballpark.
• Socially distanced "pod" seating. 
• No season tickets. All tickets will be digital.
• Lawn seats will be in designated "pods" that are painted onto the grass.

Camelback Ranch, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox:

• 18% capacity, allowing 2,460 fans into the stadium that typically holds 13,200.
• Distanced seating and hand sanitizer stations throughout the concourse.
• Mandatory face masks for everyone older than 2. Neck gaiters and bandanas will not count as face masks.

American Family Fields of Phoenix, 3805 N. 53rd Ave., Phoenix. Home of the Milwaukee Brewers:

• 23% capacity, allowing 2,248 fans into the stadium that typically holds 9,885.
• "Pod" seating that keeps groups of up to six people at least 6 feet apart from other groups. Seats in between will be clearly marked as unavailable; outfield seats will be marked off by squares painted on the ground.
• Hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the stadium.
• Everyone 2 and older must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth except when eating and drinking. Neck gaiters and bandanas will not count as face masks.

Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. Home of the Los Angeles Angels:

• 25% capacity, allowing 1,800 to 2,000 fans into the stadium that typically holds 9,600.
• Face masks required except when eating and drinking.
• Seating will be socially distanced and clearly marked off.
• A no-bag policy so fans can have a "no-touch" check-in.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies:

• Face masks required except when eating or drinking for everyone 2 years old and up. Neck gaiters, face masks with valves or holes and bandanas will not count as face masks.
• No cash payments, smoking, vaping or spitting. All concessions will be prepackaged.
• To cut down on contact, bags are not allowed. Visitors with medical needs and supplies can bring a diaper bag and check-in with a staff member.
• No season tickets.
• All seating is in socially distanced "pods."

Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale. Home of the San Francisco Giants: 

• At less than 10% capacity, a maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold for seating in the stadium that normally sits 11,730 fans.
• 170 tickets to the Charro Lodge will be sold per game instead of the usual 661.
• Seats will be sold in pods of two to six tickets, and pods will be socially distanced.
• All staff, vendors, media outlets and fans 13 and older will be required to complete an app-based health screening before entering the stadium.
• Staff and all attendees ages 2 and older will be required to wear a face covering other than when eating or drinking in their ticketed seat.
• Additional buffers will be set between ticketed seats and player areas.

Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. Home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres:

• Nearly 16% capacity, allowing 1,960 fans instead of the usual 12,518.
• Face masks required for everyone 2 years old and up except when eating or drinking. Fans not wearing masks could be kicked out after three warnings.
• Hand-washing stations throughout the ballpark.
• Socially distanced "pod" seating.
• No season tickets. 
• Concession stands will have cashless payment. Fans that only have cash can purchase pre-loaded Mastercard and Visa gift cards.
• Parking will be free or included in the price of the ticket to cut down on contact. Tailgating is prohibited.
• Employees will complete COVID-19 symptom screenings prior to their shifts.

Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. Home of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds:

• 22% capacity, allowing 2,268 fans instead of the usual 10,311.
• Face masks required for everyone 2 years old and up, except when eating or drinking.
• Socially distanced "pod" seating for groups of up to six people.
• No bags allowed other than medical bags, diaper bags and clutch purses.
• Plexiglass will be installed between concession workers and fans. Contactless payment systems are planned to be installed.
• Staff will wear face coverings and gloves and complete daily COVID-19 self-screenings.

Surprise Stadium, 15930 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers:

• The city has not yet signed off on a mitigation plan, but face masks will be required except when eating or drinking, and physically distanced seating will be enforced, city spokesperson Virginia Mungovan said.
• The park will operate at 25% capacity, allowing about 2,300 fans instead of the typical 10,400, Mungovan said.

Valley leaders mixed on spring training starting on schedule

Metro Phoenix leaders are somewhat mixed about spring training starting on schedule. Some say it's crucial to keep in mind that Arizona is still in a pandemic, but several say they are glad the season will go forward as scheduled.

"I'm glad we're starting on (Feb. 28), frankly," said Surprise Mayor Skip Hall, who signed onto the January letter asking MLB to delay spring training. "I just want to see a full spring training season. Last year, we got it cut in half. We’ve got all the protocols in place."

Glendale Vice Mayor Ian Hugh, who is filling in for Mayor Jerry Weiers as he recovers from heart surgery, said he would love to see spring training pulled off safely.

"People are starving to go to events, to go outdoors and be involved and be around people again," Hugh said. "If they’re able to open up and get people out there in the stadiums and start watching baseball, I think it would be fantastic."

Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord in a statement said the city's ballpark will follow MLB protocols and federal health guidelines to keep fans and players as safe as possible. 

“We are ready for the start of the season and eagerly await Opening Day," she said. 

Others, like Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, remain concerned about the start of spring training, according to Jeanine L'Ecuyer, her communications director.

"The risk is that more people may believe we've defeated the COVID-19 virus even though the data tells a different story," L'Ecuyer said. "Until infection rates drop dramatically, we all must remain vigilant and follow what the science is telling us."

Reach reporter Joshua Bowling at jbowling@azcentral.com or 602-444-8138. Follow him on Twitter @MrJoshuaBowling.

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