Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, sport stadiums all over the country remain empty despite the recent start of most professional sports seasons. This emptiness may be a feeling these athletes need to get used to in order to get the virus under control. The MLB is no stranger to the bare stadiums, but the Cincinnati Reds are looking into being the first team to fill those seats.

After receiving a cautiously optimistic statement from Ohio Governor about fans returning to The Great American Ball Park in late 2020, the Cincinnati team submitted a plan to put this thought into action. According to The Athletic, the proposal has already been approved by the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has stated in the following tweet, “If the #Reds get their way, it won’t just be cardboard cutouts in the stands at games this season. @ctrent reports that the team has formally pitched a plan to the state for fans at GABP in 2020.”

Cincinnati has started their season at a 7-9 record but stands in second place in the NL Central. They are hoping this solid start will help propel the Reds into October. If they are to make it, they are hoping to have a fan filled stadium. Other teams have jumped on the bandwagon in hopes of allowing fans in later this season. The Chicago Cubs are discussing plans to make this happen. As of now, the proposal suggests a max of 8,000 in the 41,000 person ballpark at Wrigley Field in Chicago. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, would have to look into the implications of some teams having home field advantage if these proposals go through. There are hopes that more and more teams may be able to allow fans into the ballpark before the end of the 2020 season.

The Reds are taking the first steps to safely allow fans back into GABP and if all goes well, this may signal the pandemic may be starting to die down. We all hope the Cincinnati Reds are onto something great!