A new state health order in Michigan is set to take effect this Friday, and included among the directives from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are updated fan capacities for sports venues.
“As we continue our vaccine rollout and make steady progress against the virus, we are taking additional incremental steps to re-engage to ensure we are protecting our families and front-line workers and saving lives,” Whitmer said in a statement.
The relaxed restrictions will now include:
“Athletic stadiums and arenas that seat 10,000 people or fewer may allow up to 375 attendees. If the seating capacity is above 10,000, they can have 750 people.”
The Detroit Tigers are already planning on hosting 1,000 fans at Comerica Park for Opening Day on April 1 against the Cleveland Indians, but if one local beat writer had his way, it would be far more.
Jeff Seidel of The Detroit Free Press published an open letter to Gov. Whitmer, urging for higher fan attendance.
“Right now, the Tigers expect only 1,000 fans will be allowed in Comerica Park on April 1 for Opening Day against the Cleveland Indians,” he writes.
“Half of what they have at spring training.
Even though it’s outdoors.
Even though the Tigers have proved at spring training that they have a tremendous plan to keep people safe.
Even though bowling alleys and movie theaters in Michigan are allowed to run at 50 percent capacity (up to 300 people).
Think about that. Why can an indoor movie theater be half-full but Comerica Park, with a seating capacity of 41,083, has to be held to less than 3%?
I gotta say, Gov. Whitmer, that just doesn’t make any sense.”
The Tigers will have far lower attendance figures allowed at home games than their Central Division rivals. The Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians will feature up to 30% capacity, the Minnesota Twins 25% capacity, and the Chicago White Sox 20%.
Seidel's full piece can be read here.
– – Quotes via Jeff Seidel of The Detroit Free Press Link – –
