Expanding Capacity for Baseball Fans

George mallet./// first tonight: it was earlier this month that governor tim walz announced a rollback of the state's covid?

"*19 restrictions ?

"* opening venues up to 50% capacity.

Effective today ?

"* outdoor venues can ad an additional 25% capacity ?

"* with a limit of 10,000 people.

Kimt news 3's samantha soto spoke to the honker's general manager about what this means for their baseball season and she joins us live from mayo field.

George ?

"*?

"* mayo field has capacity of over three thousand fans and this year ?

*- the honkers are hoping to get as many fans back in these stands as they can.

It's opening day for baseball across the states ?

"* and even though the honkers won't take the field for another month ?

*- the players are preparing for as much of a normal season as they can.

During the 2019 season the honkers averaged just over 1100 fans per game.

Last season, they were capped at 250 people.

General manager jeremy aagard tells me it wasn't the atmosphere the team was acustomed to.

Oi he says they are looking forward to filling the stands with fans again ?

"* as well as peanuts, cracker jacks, and all things baseball.

"all those pieces come together when you feel that excietment that buzz, it's just a whole different feeling for out players who get more jacked up for the game."

The players put in the same prep pre?

"* pandemic ?

"* year allowing them to extend their season.

And while 2020 gave them a chance to reset ?

*- the honkers hope to create an atmosphere you won't get anywhere else.

Including creating a new tailgate area outside the ballpark and reimagined fireworks shows .

Aagard if they are diehard baseball fans ?

"* it's all about the our players, it's more fun for our fans, and being able to increase our capacity, is just good for players will open on the road may 31st ?

"* the honkers will take the field for their first home game june first here at mayo field.

Live in rochester ?

"* samantha soto ?

"* kimt ne thank you samantha.

As sam mentioned?

"*?

"*?

"* today is day for major league baseball... marking the first time in a year that fans can catch a regular season game.

Still?

"*?

"*?

"* because of c most stadiums won't be filled anywhere near capacity.