WooSox can now have 2,377 fans at Opening Day, per Baker's order

Photo | Grant Welker Polar Park's main seating area from the left field foul pole

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By Grant Welker

The Worcester Red Sox will be able to have 2,377 fans in attendance, or 25% of Polar Park's capacity, for its first home game May 11, under new state coronavirus pandemic guidelines announced Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker.

The limit had been 12%, something that kept the WooSox from putting up for sale single-game tickets after many of their minor league counterparts had already done so. The capacity of 2,377 brings the team just above the number of season tickets it has already sold, 2,158, meaning a few hundred seats should be available for each home game.

Baker's announced changes will go into effect on May 10, one day before the first WooSox game at Polar Park in Worcester. The stadium has a capacity of 9,508.

The WooSox released a statement shortly after Baker's new guidelines were announced, saying it will allow the team to proceed with plans for its first games. It will provide more information regarding tickets soon, the team said.

Among other changes, the loosened restrictions will also allow starting May 10 road races and other athletic events, sports tournaments and musical performances that can include singing. As of May 29, gathering limits will be increased to 200 people indoors and 250 outdoors, and street festivals and parades will also be allowed.

By Aug. 1, pending vaccine distribution and public health data, all business restrictions will be lifted, including gathering limits.

The state's face coverings order will be relaxed starting Friday, with face coverings required outside in public only when it's not possible to socially distance. They'll still be required in indoor public spaces at all times.