CLEVELAND — While fans in Ohio aren't currently permitted to attend sporting events amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Cleveland Indians are weighing the possibility.
On Tuesday, the team sent a survey to season ticket holders gauging their interest level and confidence in potentially attending games during baseball's 60-game season, which is set to start next week.
"The Cleveland Indians are evaluating whether it might be possible to bring fans back to Progressive Field in 2020 in a way that appropriately accounts for the safety of our fans, our staff and our players," the team said in an email to season ticket holders. "In addition to guidance from health and government officials, another important factor in our decision as to whether to bring back fans is your input regarding the circumstances under which you would be willing to attend a 2020 game."
The survey goes on to gauge which safety precautions are most important to fans, how likely fans are to attend if permitted, how many games fans are likely to attend if permitted, how many people fans would be attending along with and how changes to food and beverage options might affect one's willingness to attend. The survey also floats the possibility of fans only being permitted to attend games in the upper deck in order to protect the players, as well as potential price options for tickets at each game.
The Indians are scheduled to start their 2020 season on July 24 when they host the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.