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Date: 4/26/2021
HARTFORD, CT – After 621 days without a game of baseball, the Hartford Yard Goats are ready to return in full swing.
The Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, will host their first home game on May 11, with a capacity of 50 percent at Dunkin’ Donuts Park due to COVID-19. Less than an hour drive for Western Massachusetts residents, a home game would be a perfect outing for families, friends and people of all ages.
The May 11 game will begin at 7:05 p.m. and will be against the Boston Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. Ticket sales will begin on April 26 and can be purchased online at yardgoatsbaseball.com or over the phone at 860-246-4628. All advanced sales will be digital and delivered through email.
In order to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, from May 11 to May 19 the ballpark will operate at 50 percent capacity. Social distancing measures will be in place through pod seating. On May 20, Gov. Ned Lamont will lift all restrictions and Dunkin’ Donuts Park will be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity.
Guests over the age of two will be required to wear a face mask at all times unless eating or drinking. The park will be cashless to stop the spread of germs. Gift cards, credit cards and debit cards will be accepted at the Box Office, Yard Goats Team Store and food and beverage locations.
“The health and safety of our guests, employees, players, coaches, and training staff is of the highest priority for the Hartford Yard Goats,” team President Tim Restall said in a press release. “The Yard Goats are committed to practicing the best and safest efforts to keep the community safe when attending baseball and other events at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.”
According to Jeff Dooley, voice and broadcaster of the Hartford Yard Goats, having no season in 2020 was tough.
“Our business model is families and fans coming in. People in the seats is how we make our business work, so it was difficult obviously to have no Minor League Baseball in the country last year,” said Dooley.
This year, however, the team is ready to play. The players have already started their spring training in Scottsdale, AZ and they will soon wrap up to begin their games. The first game of the season will be In Richmond, VA on May 4.
Hartford Yard Goats players have usually been playing professional baseball for anywhere from three to five years and are close to Major League levels, according to Dooley.
Those unable to attend the games in-person who are interested in streaming the Hartford Yard Goats games are able to do so on the iHeart Radio App and online. More information is available on the Yard Goat’s website.
With the month of May rapidly approaching, Dooley said the team is looking forward to getting back out there and being surrounded by fans.
“First and foremost, to see the ball pitched for the first time in 621 days at this beautiful ballpark that has the backdrop of the city of Hartford, it’s just a special place and to celebrate with our season ticket holders and our wonderful fans, we just can’t wait to get going,” he said. “I’m excited for that first pitch and the crack of the bat and just the whole atmosphere here at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. And, you know, when late May comes and we can welcome in our 100 percent capacity that’ll be even better because we get to celebrate with more fans.”