After a year without minor league baseball, tickets went on sale today for the South Bend Cubs’ first games of 2021, brining with them the promise of a summer season.
The crack of a pop fly and the roar of a crowd are the quintessential sounds of summer for a lot of people. But, the COVID-19 pandemic left ballparks across the nation quiet last year, including at Four Winds Field in South Bend.
“You know, you always hear the adage, ‘You don’t know what you have until it’s gone,’" said Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs. "I think that was very appropriate for last year. It was just a season or a year that just felt empty.”
After the 2020 minor league season was cancelled, Hart said the Cubs worked to host other events at Four Winds Field, like movie nights and major league watch parties. But, he says it wasn’t the same without baseball.
“It was all things that we could do in a safe manner and make sure our fans still felt safe and comfortable when they were out here," Hart said. "Yeah, very different season though, so a lot of excitement about having the opportunity to bring baseball back to Four Winds Field.”
Hart said he’s been on several calls with the county health department and Major League Baseball officials about how to keep fans, staff and players safe throughout the 2021 season.
He said the ballpark will only be at 50 percent capacity, and fans are asked to social distance within the seating bowl. Masks are required unless fans are seated and actively eating or drinking.
Hart said all staff will also be masked, which "may make it harder for them to greet fans with a smile." But, he said that’s a small price to pay for keeping everyone safe.
“We’re looking for the fans to, you know, help us and cooperate and keep Four Winds Field safe so we can continue to do our games and see some baseball out here,” Hart said.
After the stress and pain the pandemic has caused over the past year, Hart said he hopes the 2021 season will give fans a chance to simply have fun and relax. After all, he said, that’s what baseball is all about.
“I like to say that Four Winds Field is the happiest corner in South Bend," Hart said. "So let’s just let people get to their happy place and enjoy themselves.”
The South Bend Cubs will play their home opener against the Quad Cities River Bandits on May 4.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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