CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from March 4, 2021.
On Monday, April 5, the Cleveland Indians will return to action at Progressive Field -- with fans in attendance for the first time since the 2019 season.
But if you aren't able to attend the Indians' home opener, don't worry, WKYC Channel 3 has you covered, as it will be the television home of Cleveland's 2021 home debut against the Kansas City Royals.
First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. The game will also be simulcast on SportsTime Ohio.
This year's home opener figures to be one unlike any other as fans were not permitted to attend any games during the 2020 season -- which was shortened to 60 games -- due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Instead, teams played their home games in empty ballparks that often included cardboard cutouts of fans and simulated stadium noise.
Last month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that all of the state's outdoor entertainment venues -- including Progressive Field -- would be permitted to host 30 percent of their capacities amid the ongoing pandemic. Last week, DeWine announced that when Ohio drops to 50 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, he will drop all of the state's COVID-19-related health orders and restrictions.
Speaking in Cleveland last week, DeWine said he could see Progressive Field being permitted to host a full capacity of fans by the Fourth of July.
"I've described Opening Day in Cleveland -- Indians at 30 percent capacity, but we could be moving away from that by May 1," DeWine said. "I would hope by the time we get to July 4, we might be full capacity."