The Yard Goats are back in Hartford.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 the first day that something kind of feels a little bit normal,鈥� said Jason Behan, a fan of the team.
鈥淥utside of a few people missing in the crowd, it feels like 2019 again.鈥�
2019 was the last time minor league baseball was played in Hartford. COVID-19 claimed the Yard Goats鈥� 2020 season.
鈥淲e had tickets to opening day last year, but it got shutdown, so we鈥檙e back here today,鈥� said Michael Lewis.
A lot has changed in the 621 days since the Yard Goats last played at home. Fans now wear masks and have to keep away from people they didn鈥檛 buy tickets with. Despite a new normal, Marc Perez, Lewis鈥� brother-in-law, said he jumped on the opportunity to buy tickets.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something to get used to, but it鈥檚 good to be back in the stadium, back here celebrating the Goats and just being back with the people I love being around,鈥� Perez said.
The last year鈥檚 been tough on Barbara Breu. She鈥檚 been cooped up in the house. But now, the season ticket holder is back in her element.
鈥淚鈥檝e always loved the look of a baseball field under the lights so this is just magnificent,鈥� Breu said.
While she loves it now, she鈥檒l be a little apprehensive when there are less restrictions on capacity. 3,021 people were let in to Dunkin鈥� Donuts Park Tuesday night 鈥� half of what it would normally hold.
鈥淚鈥檓 a little bit more worried, but I鈥檓 older and have some underlying health conditions,鈥� Breu said.
鈥淚f you look around right now, there are a very large number of people without masks on and so, I鈥檓 a little bit more concerned and I鈥檒l have to see how my comfort level goes over the next weeks.鈥�
Next week, attendance won鈥檛 be limited by the state. 黑料吃瓜网 lifts COVID-19 restrictions on businesses on May 19.
Attendees will still be required to wear masks.
Count Tuesday鈥檚 re-open as a success 鈥� at least in the record books. The Yard Goats slugged past Portland 8-4.
