NPB held an emergency meeting on the 12th and reached the decision to loosen the limitations placed on fan attendance at games starting on September 19. A government branch meeting on the 11th determined that it was safe to allow stadiums to be filled to a maximum of 50% of their capacities. Each club is allowed to make its own decisions about how they transition to the new limitations, but Hanshin, who plays its home games at Koshien Stadium, has decided that it will allow a maximum of 10,000 fans into its remaining 5 September home games, and then expand to a 20,000 fan limit for October.
One day after the government made its decision, the baseball world made it official that it would loosen previous restrictions on fan attendance. In an emergency meeting after the government decision, NPB has decided to put the new plan into action on the 19th. The new limit is 50% capacity, but the league will leave it up to every club to create its own plan. After hearing of the new rules, Hanshin executive managing director Shimizu revealed the club’s intentions.
After the 19th, the club has 5 home games left in September, and will push attendance limits up to 10,000. They have already sold tickets out for September, but they will sell seats in the previously vacant 1B and 3B Alps sections and allow 5000 more fans through the doors for those games. As for October, “We plan to sell around 20,000 tickets in accordance with government and league regulations,” commented Shimizu.
Because of more people coming to games, there is a much higher risk of congestion at stadium entrances than there were with the limit set at 5,000. In Hanshin’s case, the nearest station, Hanshin Koshien Station, will need to have a plan in place. Shimizu said, “With the loosening on restrictions, we have made contact with all involved in Hanshin operations, so we can avoid congestion and close encounters. We are in contact with the government and medical experts as we do this.”
The NPB committee has given extra instructions: 1) Before setting up specific strategies, be sure to work in tandem with medical facilities and local government; 2) Be extra vigilant and careful when it comes to taking infection prevention measures; and three other important points. NPB front office chief Ihara summed things up by saying, “All 12 teams are committed to setting up safe and secure environments at the ballparks.” It has been two months since the 5,000 fan limit was implemented. At long last, the atmosphere at games is going to change some more.