CIML to Limit Game Attendance - from The Messenger

The Central Iowa Metro League announced strict fan guidelines for the 2020 baseball and softball seasons on Friday.

According to a published document released by CIML commissioner and former Fort Dodge Senior High athletic/activities director Tom Kinseth, the league will distribute two tickets to each player and coach in uniform. This “will allow the ticket holder to pay admission or use a school-specific pass to gain entrance to the contest.”

There will be no other general admission unless rules permit.

Tickets will be distributed at the appropriate levels, from freshman and sophomore games through junior varsity and varsity.

The document states, “this ticket will ensure that the individual may purchase admission up until the conclusion of the first game of a doubleheader at the same level. In combined events (JV/varsity), the venue will be emptied after the first game. Individuals holding a ticket to pay for admission for both contests will only be required to pay one time.”

Each program will be allowed up to 28 spots on its roster between players and coaches. If the school does not reach its capacity of 56 tickets, “individual schools may allow additional persons to pay admission if space allows after the conclusion of the first game (and) at their discretion.”

“Individual schools are responsible for communicating their seating availability and social distancing plan for each venue. At all venues, individual family household units (two people) are encouraged to sit together to help with overall capacity. Fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs in the event the bleachers meet capacity.”

Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge will be the only facility in the CIML allowed to actively use its concessions area.

Spectators attending games at Des Moines East, Lincoln, Roosevelt, North and Hoover are required to wear masks.

“These procedures were developed by the 18 member schools to help ensure that participants, staff, and spectators can safely enjoy both sports in a manner that promotes social distancing,” the document reads.

The option of live streaming games for fans unable to attend in person is being explored, Fort Dodge Senior High athletic and activities director Kevin Astor confirmed on Friday.

The top-ranked Fort Dodge softball squad opens its season on June 16 at home against Sioux City Heelan. The Dodger baseball team’s first active date is a June 17 twinbill at Ed McNeil Field versus Johnston.