Missoula PaddleHeads Announce Attendance Capacity to Start Season
Griz football is back in action this weekend for the first time since December of 2019. Because of COVID restrictions they'll play their two games with around 5,000 fans in attendance at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. And we're about six weeks away from the Missoula PaddleHeads playing baseball - for the first time as the PaddleHeads - when they open their season on May 22nd at Ogren Park. We've been waiting to hear what the numbers would look like when it comes to fans being able to attend baseball games and today we got an answer - at least for the early run of games in May and June.
The PaddleHeads took to their website and social media pages today with the news that they've worked with the Missoula City County Health Department to start the 2021 season with a 50% capacity limit at the stadium. With the number of COVID vaccinations continuing to increase, the lower number of new daily cases, the stadium being outdoors, and social distancing measures in place - it feels like 50% capacity is a number that can still allow people to attend games but also feel comfortable in doing so.
The number will apply to the first 12 home games for the PaddleHeads as well as all non-baseball events that will be held at Ogren Park. The 50% capacity limit will be reevaluated on June 22 - so for now it will include the first four showings of movies with this year's lineup of Centerfield Cinema.
A PaddleHeads statement on their website laid out plans for COVID-19 policies that will be in place at the stadium: "fans can expect to see a plan that includes: social distancing and crowd control measures, a mask mandate for fans while moving about the facility, enhanced cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing practices, staff training, PPE guidelines, a full food and beverage plan, and wellness and symptom checks for all staff."
The number of fans allowed is just one bit of news that the PaddleHeads will reveal this week. Tomorrow (4/6), the team will unveil their mascot, put single game tickets on sale, and announce their full promotions calendar for the 2021 season.
Are you ready for baseball yet?