By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – The Green Bay Booyah and Capital Credit Union Park have a plan in place for when baseball begins.
Intending to start the season in early July, the Booyah said they will continue to adhere to the guidance efforts provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Brown County Health Department to continue developing policies and guidelines to ensure the safety of the staff, players and fans.
I’ve read through the plan, now it’s my turn to weigh in with my thoughts.
Fans are encouraged – but not required – to wear masks when walking around the ballpark within close proximity of other fans.
Seating will be limited inside the stadium to adhere to social distancing measures, and the Booyah ask each fan to sit in their designated seats.
It’s also encouraged to attend games only with those who are within your circle or who are living with you.
Research has shown COVID-19 is more easily transmitted when you’re in closed areas where there’s less ventilation or room for airflow, so generally speaking, your risk of contracting the virus is remarkably lower when you’re outside.
This is because there’s more space to separate from others and there’s more natural airflow.
Hand sanitizer will be available for use upon entrance and throughout the stadium.
Fans are asked to limit carry-ins to one bottle of water per person and bring a cashless payment method – no cash will be accepted for any transactions, except for a tip.
A menu will be available to order concessions online from a Smartphone, and customers will receive a notification to pick up their order at a concession stand when ready.
Restrooms will be properly sanitized, and trash covers will be removed during games.
On May 21, the CDC released a study stating the virus is spreading easily between people but isn’t spread as easily as first thought by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
The agency said touching contaminated objects or surfaces doesn’t appear to be a significant mode of transmission.
It’s still a good idea to practice sound hygiene, so the Booyah will be doing their part.
Everything being proposed and asked of the fans is doable with a little effort.
At this time, fans won’t be screened before entering the stadium, but of course, if you feel sick or have a temperature, stay home.
Even with everything in place, up to 80 percent of those who contract the virus don’t show symptoms.
In my opinion, the players, coaches and umpires will have a more difficult time.
In the summer of 2016, I was finishing my last year of playing organized hardball with a great group of guys.
We won the championship of the Northeast Wisconsin Men’s Senior Baseball League in the last inning.
After the last out of the game, the whole team went bonkers – we hugged, high-fived and posed for a group picture.
Celebration is a natural part of any sport, but it appears that will be limited this summer at Capital Credit Union Park.
Players are encouraged not to interact within 6 feet with teammates or opposing players for more than a few minutes at a time.
On the field at least, baseball players are naturally (mostly) self-distanced from each other compared to many other sports.
Under the stadium’s plan, high-fives, fist bumps and hugs with teammates or opposing players are prohibited.
I understand it’s probably a necessary step, but I don’t think it will work too well.
Think about how different Kirk Gibson’s trot around the bases in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series would be.
Gibson, who could barely walk because he had two injured legs, won the game with a ninth-inning homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He was mobbed at home plate by his teammates – one of the most iconic moments in Major League Baseball history.
Can you imagine Gibson getting to home plate and having no teammates there to celebrate with him?
I understand the situation, but I feel this will be nearly impossible to monitor and enforce.
Also, fielders are strongly encouraged to not throw the ball around the infield after an out, mound visits are restricted to only one coach and the pitcher and catcher must maintain 6 feet of distancing.
Sunflower seeds will also not be allowed in the facility.
In my years of covering baseball, I’ve only seen a few times when a player/manager got into a heated exchange with the umpire similar to how Earl Weaver or Billy Martin used to, but it’s safe to say we probably won’t see that scenario this season at Capital Credit Union Park.
The alternative is not having baseball, so I’m thankful and willing to do my part in the process.