The season, originally scheduled to commence on May 28, has
been on spiritual hold along with most other sports in the United States
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to provide summer entertainment
while addressing health concerns of the fans, players, umpires and employees,
the following procedures will be in effect for the 2020 season:
Socially Distant
Seating
➢The club is considering altering its
existing facility seating manifest to allow for proper distancing, thus
decreasing the overall ballpark capacity to parameters set forth in public
health guidelines. It is contemplated that, at least initially, the ballpark
will open at 25 percent of its capacity.
➢The team will keep close track of
bodies in seats to insure no more than 25 percent of the ballpark's capacity is
inhabited during this phase of the reopening.
➢Rows and seats will be skipped as
necessary to maintain proper distancing between parties and stay under the 25
percent capacity guideline.
➢Group and hospitality areas will
operate with reduced capacity to promote proper distancing. It is contemplated
that, at this time, the suites, the picnic area and party deck, along with any
buffet style group seating areas will not operate.
➢If reassignment is necessary to
execute the reduced capacity, season ticket holder seats will be re-assigned
first, followed by placement of existing group purchasers. Remaining tickets for
each game will then be available for single-game purchase
Ballpark Cleanliness/Enhanced Cleaning Practices
➢Increased regularity of
washdowns and cleanings.
➢Club will put in use addition
of disinfectant-spraying backpacks for no-wipe cleaning of ballpark surfaces.
➢Addition of public-and employee-facing
hand-sanitizing stations around the ballpark.
➢Club is considering the
addition of ionizers and/or disinfectant foggers in enclosed ballpark areas.
➢All cleaning crew staff will be
provided sufficient PPE by the club at all times
All employees and staff will be required to “self-check” their
temperatures on a daily basis. Upon arrival, they will enter the ballpark via
the Employee Gate where will sign in and record their temperatures. Any employee
with a temperature of 100.4 or greater will not be allowed to enter New Britain
Stadium. In addition, all fan-facing staff members will be required to wear
gloves and masks.
For the time being, the clubhouse will not be open. Players and
coaches will arrive in uniform and will be provided with pre-packaged meals.
Eliminated will be items commonly spit by ballplayers—including seeds, gum and
peanuts. Players will be regularly tested.
In the event of a positive test by a player or employee, the club is
implementing the following procedure:
➢Athletes shall inform their
coaches, and follow state and local testing and contact tracing protocols.
➢Staff or players who report
symptoms or test with a positive result will be isolated.
➢Symptomatic persons will be
tested and will be quarantined until test results return.
➢If confirmed positive the
athlete will be excluded until they’ve been fever free for 72 hours and other
symptoms have improved.
➢Other contacts will be
investigated by the local health department.
➢The Local Health Dept. will be
notified and contract tracing investigation will be conducted. The health
department will determine if other athletes have been exposed.
➢A potential exposure means
having close contact within 6 feet and in close contact for 15 minutes or
greater with a confirmed or suspected.
➢Potential exposure will be
required to be test prior to returning to work
Fans entering New Britain stadium will be greeted by bilingual
social distancing signage, announcements and awareness campaigns upon entering
ballpark. The Bees will work with ballpark security and local
law enforcement to encourage proper distancing upon entry to the ballpark,
including walkways and sidewalks leading to ballpark entrances. Stanchions
and/or spacing markers may be used to promote proper distancing between
customers waiting on lines and in areas of anticipated foot traffic. Additional
gates (when applicable) will be utilized to create more spread among fans as
the enter the ballpark. In addition, fans will not be allowed to bring bags
into the stadium.
Tickets for all home games are now on sale. All tickets will
be sold on a general admission basis at $7 and are limited to 25 percent of the
ballpark’s 6,146 capacity (1,537 fans per game). Tickets can be purchased on a
first-come, first-serve basis by clicking here. Parking will be free for the
2020 season.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to provide the
community of Central Connecticut with an affordable, family entertainment
option this summer,” said Bees GM Brad Smith. “We appreciate the spirit of partnership
the city has shown during this process and are excited to be able to be part of
the healing of our region as we all try to get back to enjoying recreational
time with family and friends again.”
The Bees, formerly affiliated with the independent Atlantic
League, announced this season that they will join the Futures League of
Collegiate Baseball—an amateur circuit made up of college players similar to
the Cape Cod League.
To download the Bees’ 2020 schedule, click HERE.
A complete listing of all procedures for fans, players and
employees to follow is available by clicking HERE.
—Staff Reports
#nbbees / @NewBritainBees / #BEESBALL
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