Hours before the first pitch is thrown on baseball’s opening day, President Joe Biden said it was irresponsible for the Texas Rangers to open its ballpark to a full-capacity crowd as coronavirus cases are surging around the country.
The Rangers begin their season on the road but will return to their new stadium, which can seat 40,500 fans, on April 5, when they will be the only Major League Baseball franchise to allow 100% capacity.
“Well, that’s a decision they made. I think it’s a mistake,” the president said in an eve-of-season interview with ESPN. “They should listen to Dr. [Anthony] Fauci, the scientists, and the experts. But I think it’s not responsible.”
Teams around the league have reduced their capacity to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The Washington Nationals, for example, will open against the New York Mets at about 12% capacity, room for 5,000 season ticket holders, on Thursday night.
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Biden’s comments illustrate the way different states are taking different stances on opening up.
Texas has one of the more relaxed regimes and has allowed fans at some sporting events since last summer.
But last week, the president urged governors to rethink their plans and to reinstate mask mandates as the country showed a worrying increase in coronavirus cases.
The Rangers say they will require fans to wear masks, except when eating and drinking, and that concession stands will be cashless. Plexiglass screens will protect players in the dugouts.
They also plan to add distancing measures after the home opener.
Texas played their 30 home games during last season’s shortened schedule without fans. But they allowed 28% capacity for playoff games and the World Series.
Rangers’ Chief Executive Neil Leibman recently said he was confident the stadium would be safe.
“With all the protocols that we’re following, we’ll be extremely responsible and provide a very comfortable environment for somebody to enjoy the game without worrying we’re going to be a spreader event,” he said.
In the interview, broadcast on Wednesday night, Biden was also asked whether MLB should consider moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta amid concerns at new restrictions on voting in Georgia.
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“I would strongly support them doing that,” he said. “People look to them, they’re leaders. … It’s just not right.”
