Mariners working on ‘alternative plans’ for opening homestand following Inslee’s ban
The Seattle Mariners released the following statement Wednesday morning after Washington governor Jay Inslee prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties to help combat the spread of coronavirus:
“Following Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement this morning that he is banning large group events through March, the Seattle Mariners are working with the Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner on alternative plans for our games that were scheduled for the end of March at T-Mobile Park in Seattle,” the statement reads.
“While we hope to be back to playing baseball in Seattle as soon as possible, the health and safety of our community is the most important consideration.
“We will provide more information about our plans for the games as it becomes available.
“Season Ticket Members, Suite Holders and Group Buyers will automatically receive a credit for tickets to un-played games. The credit will be applied by March 19 and may be used to purchase tickets for any other 2020 regular season home game.
“Single-game ticket holders who purchased tickets directly through the Seattle Mariners will be automatically refunded to the credit card, debit card, gift card or other method of payment used to make your purchase. Additional details will be communicated directly to purchasers via email by March 14.”
According to the Associated Press, MLB prefers to flip sites if games cannot be played at the home team’s stadium. In the Mariners’ case, this scenario would have them open the season with a four-game series in Arlington against the Rangers, followed by a three-game series against the Twins in Minnesota.
Opening Day was originally scheduled for March 26 in Seattle against Texas.
There is also the possibility the Mariners could remain in Arizona, and play the first leg of their season at one of the facilities in the Phoenix area, or return home and play in front of an empty stadium.
Decisions on what the best course of action is will likely be made as Opening Day draws closer.
The Mariners have a six-game road trip planned in Kansas City and Chicago beginning April 2 before they are scheduled to return home April 9.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Mariners working on ‘alternative plans’ for opening homestand following Inslee’s ban."
