CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Indians announced an assortment of changes this week for fans to expect in Progressive Field for the 2021 season. Using the game’s nine innings, we offer a primer of what fans can expect:
All entry to Progressive Field will be via mobile entry this season.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
1st inning: Entry
For now, the stadium will operate at 30% capacity. Lines to get in will be shorter, with capacity limits in place because of COVID restrictions. Traffic flow will not be redirected, but social distancing in line will be enforced. All gates will be open one hour before first pitch. Mobile tickets are required via the MLB Ballpark App, My Indians Tickets account or StubHub app. Paper and printed tickets are now officially a thing of the past.
Fans do not need to show proof of vaccinations or negative test to enter the park. But fans who are vaccinated will still be required to wear a mask at Progressive Field.
Chief Wahoo on clothing is OK; face painting with Native American references or wearing headdresses is not allowed.cleveland.com
2nd inning: Attire
Seems everyone has an opinion on the controversy regarding Native Americans and the team name. No matter which side you fall on, know these two things: You can wear Chief Wahoo logos on apparel in the stadium. You cannot wear headdresses or face paint depicting American Indian culture.
Seating will be in pods.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
3rd inning: Seats and masks
To the surprise of few, seats will be available in pods of twos and fours. (Bonus: You won’t have to clamber around someone’s knees to get to the bathroom or concessions.) But in case you think you can sneak to a section with an open seat and create your own pod, know this: Restricted seats will be zip-tied. Also, team guidelines state: “Fans will be prohibited from selling or transferring less than the entirety of the tickets within their pod. Fans are permitted to forward tickets in the pod within their household.”
Here’s the rule on masks: They must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking in your seat. And the team is regulating types of masks that are acceptable in the park. Double-layered, dust, surgical and N95 masks without vent are all OK. Not allowed: Bandanas, gaiters, sheer masks and masks with valves.
Heads up! Netting is extended, but there is no canopy. Bringing a glove is not a bad idea.The Plain Dealer
4th inning: Foul ball!
Fans in certain sections were smart to bring gloves. Expect to see more fans with gloves. Folks in lower-level sections between the bases would never come close to a foul ball, with the netting in place. In 2020, netting was extended and the canopy is gone. It made no difference last year without fans. Now, if you’re anywhere in the lower sections, keep your head up. By the way, about 50 foul balls are hit per nine-inning major-league game. Net or no net, put your phone down during play.
Cashless purchases are encouraged.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
5th inning: Safety
Bring a debit or credit card. The Indians are not banning cash, but are strongly encouraging fans to go cashless to pay for concessions and other items. It’s part of the overall safety protocols and, like churches and many businesses, expect to see hand-sanitizer stations all over the place.
Oh, and know this: Fans who cannot wear masks because of medical issues will be directed to a medical tent. If medical issues prevent someone from wearing a mask, a face shield will be required.
Finally! Some real crowd noise will be back.The Plain Dealer
6th inning: Noise
An energy level will be back that was clearly missing last year. What was cool was being able to hear pitchers yell something to their catchers, or a fielder barking out to a teammate. And the fake noise was, well, acceptable. But crowd noise – actual, emotional energy from fans – was sorely missed.
“The players talked about it, Tito talked about. It adds so much to the experience,” said Curtis Danburg, vice president of communications and community impact. “Being a part of 60 games last season and having Jose Ramirez hit a bomb over left field and being dead silent except for your fake noise, there’s no buildup to the ball going over the left-field wall. I miss that. Everybody missed that. I miss home runs because my head was down and usually you hear the roar of the crowd and you lift your head up and see the ball go out. This way you hear the sirens – ‘What just happened? Oh, Jose just hit a home run.’ "
Forty concessions stands will be open in April.Marc Bona, cleveland.com
7th inning: Food and drink
Concessions will be limited to about 40 stands in April, but all the main local Cleveland-based restaurants that have a presence in the stadium will be open, though with limited menus. The Left Field District will have a Jim Beam Bourbon Bar, which is new.
Many kids activities will be restricted.cleveland.com
8th inning: Hands off
What fans will not be able to do: Players will not be signing in-person autographs, so don’t race down to the front row or hang near the players’ lot. Kids Clubhouse and related activities are closed. There is no speed pitch for those who think they can bring it like Bieber. Basically, the team’s policy is “no high-contact in-park activations.”
Many promotions are on hold. The schedule will be updated as the season progresses.The Plain Dealer
9th inning: Promotions
COVID restrictions change regularly based on protocols, guidelines and limits set by the governor’s office and health departments. This has a direct effect on fans going to Indians games, because the team is unable to peg many of the dates with specific promotions. Fireworks are not scheduled, for instance. Promotions will be scheduled on a month-by-month basis.
The first few lines of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" take 20 seconds - the amount of time to properly wash hands with soap.AP
Extra innings
Signage will encourage mask wearing, social distancing and other measures. General rule of thumb about hand washing is it should last 20 seconds with soap – so singing the following lines of the 1908 song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” gets you there:
Take me out to the ballgame
Take me out to the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack
I don’t care if I never get back
So it’s root, root, root, for the home team
If they don’t win, it’s a shame
Coming Friday: We’ll get a sneak peek in the park at some other changes – big and small - to expect.
Related coverage
No Native American face paint, headdresses allowed in Progressive Field for Indians games
Cleveland Indians announce Progressive Field changes for 2021
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I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning. And tune in at 7:05 a.m. Wednesdays for “Beer with Bona and Much, Much More” with Munch Bishop on 1350-AM The Gambler. Twitter: @mbona30.
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Play ball! 9 things to know about Progressive Field in 2021 - cleveland.com
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