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Bravehearts Release COVID-19 Readiness Plan for 2020 Season

By Tom Marino | June 26, 2020
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

The Worcester Bravehearts have released a COVID-19 Readiness Plan the team will implement during the upcoming season.

The Bravehearts are expected to start their season on July 2 and play 19 home and 20 road games through August 23.

The 20 page document covers how the team has prepared to fight against COVID-19 infection among its staff, players and fans.

Attendance

The Bravehearts will open Hanover Insurance Park, at Holy Cross College, at 25% capacity to open the season. Only season ticket holders will have reserved seating.

All single-game tickets will be general admission with open seating. Once a party of single-game ticket holders select their seats the seats around them will be marked and blocked to adhere with social distancing.

Person-to-Person Contact

Common customs in baseball, such as handshakes with umpires and opposing players, will be prohibited during the 2020 season. Players will also not be coming in contact with any fans for autographs, handshakes or high fives.

The Bravehearts’ mascot, Jake the Lion, will be in uniform but won’t be giving high-fives or hugs to the young fans this season. He will be available for photos while adhering to social distancing.

Players are also prohibited from giving game balls, bats or other equipment to fans.

Use of Electronic Payment

The Bravehearts’ plan calls for the heavy use of electronic devices for payment.

Credit card or near-field communication transactions will be encouraged and ATM machines will not be available inside the park in an attempt to limit cash transactions.

Ticket distribution and pre-purchase tickets will be delivered electronically and fans will be encouraged to display their tickets on their phones.

Concessions will also move to an online ordering system. Fans will be able to place their order and process payment from their seats on a smart phone. When their order is ready, they’ll be able to pick it up, avoiding waiting in line and creating queues.

The use of electronic devices will extend to Bravehearts employees, who will clock in and out on their smart phones and be subject to a symptom questionnaire before starting their shift.

Cleanliness

Throughout the Bravehearts’ Readiness Plan there are cleanliness protocols for nearly everything. Just a few noted in the plan:

  • Staff will be cross-trained on proper and frequent cleaning and sanitation protocols.
  • Work spaces such as the ticket booth have new cleanliness protocols. There are also designated locations for sanitizing stations across the ballpark.
  • The home, visitors and umpire’s clubhouses will receive cleaning both before and after each game.

See the full Bravehearts COVID-19 Readiness Plan here.

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