Great Lakes Loons ready to welcome fans back to Dow Diamond
MIDLAND, Mich. (BVM) — After there was no minor league baseball played last summer, the Great Lakes Loons are just happy to be back on the diamond this spring. But soon, the team’s 2021 campaign will feel even more normal.
Last week at Dow Diamond, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that capacity restrictions would be lifted, allowing the Loons to host a full-capacity crowd of 5,500 fans at their home field. They will do so in their next home game coming up next Tuesday against the West Michigan Whitecaps.
The game will be the first time the Loons have had a full-capacity stadium since late 2019. To celebrate, the team is hosting a “Re-Opening Day” celebration, which will feature 1,000 complimentary lawn tickets during the six-game series with the Whitecaps.
Specifically, the Loons will honor frontline workers and their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic with a weekly “Hometown Heroes” game. The first 500 healthcare workers, first responders, active-duty military or veterans who present a valid ID at the box office will receive a pair of complimentary tickets.
The team will also recognize local businesses with a “Small Business Tuesdays” series that features 10 area farmers market vendors on the concourse at Dow Diamond promoting their entities.
It is fun to see fans back in the stands at many sporting events, and perhaps it will provide a jolt for the Los Angeles Dodgers high-A affiliate who currently sit at 8-10 on the season, and fifth in the East Division standings.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are just a half-game ahead at 8-9, as both teams sit within three games of the division lead currently held by the Lake County Captains. The Loons have been led this season by the consistent bat of third baseman Miguel Vargas, who has batted .296 with a team-high 21 hits.
He will look to help the Loons move up the standings next week as well as in the team’s six-game road series with the Lansing Lugnuts during this final week of May.
