For the first time in 574 days, baseball fans returned to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento Wednesday.
Around 528 socially-distanced fans came out for a scrimmage between the alternate site squads for the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics.
"This is a special treat because we haven't seen a live game in a long time," said Andrew Decker, an A's fan who took the day off work to drive up with his family from Fairfield. "But we're looking for a great 2021 and everybody's being respectful and minding their P's and Q's and keeping, you know, social distancing in mind."
It was the first game at the park since Sept. 11, 2019, when the River Cats beat the Round Rock Express in the second game of the Pacific Coast League Championship series, back when the stadium was still called Raley Field.
There will be eight scrimmages between the A's and Giants, with the next set for Saturday afternoon. Capacity is limited, fans are required to wear face coverings and purchase tickets online ahead of time.
Mike Mathews is a line cook at Sutter Health Park, and is supporting the Giants for the first scrimmage game, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Sutter Health Park requires masks and social distance, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento opened with restrictions on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Security staff checks bags and patrons at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Sutter Health Park requires masks and social distance, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Sutter Health Park requires masks and social distance, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Despite eagerness to see live games, Sutter Health Park limits the number of spectators, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
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