Hall: D-backs to work with fans as seating restrictions are lifted

Arizona Diamondbacks season ticket-holders have given an “overwhelmingly positive” reaction to the team lifting Chase Field seating capacity limits starting May 25, president and CEO Derrick Hall said Thursday.

“I did have one email that was questioning and negative in nature, which I understand and we had a good exchange. But I don’t blame them,” Hall told Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf on Thursday.

“There’s some people who just may not feel comfortable or can’t yet or haven’t been vaccinated or don’t want to have their kids go. I get that. It’s not like we’re going to jump from 12,000 or 20,000 to 50,000 every night. That just doesn’t happen.”

The Diamondbacks have played three homestands at Chase Field with a capacity limit of 20,000 fans due to COVID-19 concerns. The team said Wednesday it has averaged 11,499 fans per game to this point.

Hall said that the in-stadium protocols — mask wearing when not eating or drinking and social distancing — will remain in place when the team’s home stadium opens to full capacity May 25. Tickets for games starting then go on sale May 17.

Arizona’s first set of home games with lifted seating restrictions spans Memorial Day weekend and includes: a May 25-26 series against the San Francisco Giants; a May 27-30 series against the St. Louis Cardinals; plus a May 31-June 2 matchup with the New York Mets.

The team believes that lifting the attendance will still allow for social distancing in seats, and Hall added that the D-backs will work with season ticket-holders to find different seating arrangements if they feel uncomfortable.

“For the most part, they’re going to be able to spread out,” Hall said. “They’re going to be able to find distanced seats. And for season ticket-holders that have reached out to us and saying, ‘Great, we’re in but we don’t want to be that close to our neighbors next to me. Can you help us?’ Sure we can.

“We’re still going to be able to spread people out. We feel like now, let’s lift the restrictions, let’s let people make that decision. It also encourages more people to go out and get vaccinated.”

The team, with help from Fry’s Food Stores, will be offering vaccination appointments at Chase Field on Thursday through Saturday.

The clinic will be held from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Visit the Fry’s Food Stores website and enter the zip code 85004 to schedule an appointment at Chase Field.

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