Texas Rangers players eager to play in front of fans this year

It’s April 1st, and you know what time that is: the start of the baseball regular season!

This year, the Texas Rangers players have something extra to look forward to on Opening Day: actual fans in attendance.

The Texas Rangers made a shocking announcement heard across the nation.

On March 10th, Texas Rangers were the first baseball team to announce they were going to have a full crowd when they have their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Due to Governor Greg Abbott’s recent order opening up the state of Texas to 100%, sports teams are allowed to have fans attend games again. The Texas Rangers are allowing a full crowd when they open their home portion of their schedule.

Baseball players last season had to play in empty stadiums with ballpark staff pumping artificial crowd noises when they got on base or made a double play because of the COVID pandemic.

Texas Rangers players and staff have reacted positively to having actual crowd noise in 2021.

Alex Plinck, Texas Rangers Reporter for Dallas Sports Fanatics, talked to Rangers Manager Chris Woodward about what it was like playing in front of fans for the first time at Globe Life Field.

"“It is an exciting time. We can get to hear our fans instead of that annoying crowd noise, that fake crowd noise that we had all last year.” The crowd cheered for Joey. They cheered during Chuck Morgan’s staple “It is Baseball Time in Texas!” They also gave Matt Bush a round of applause in the eighth inning.”"

With the two exhibition games at Globe Life Field done, the Rangers will travel to Kansas City for the opening series of the 2021 season against the Royals.

Most players across the league are looking for a fresh start in 2021 after the shortened 2020 season.

Players also believe that having fans in attendance is the fresh start they are looking for.

Sam Blum, Texas Rangers Reporter for Dallas Morning News, recently talked to Kyle Gibson about what it’s like hearing the National Anthem on Opening Day,

"“There’s something cool about being on the line,” Gibson said. “Something cool about the anthem that day. Everybody being out there, whole team gets recognized. It’s the start of a new year and you get a fresh start. I think, myself included, there are quite a few guys in this locker room that are excited for a fresh start.”"

Final Thoughts

The Rangers are happy that they don’t have to play in front of cardboard cutouts this season and I believe it could motivate them to try and make the playoffs this season.

I think all baseball fans, including myself, are happy we are getting closer to normal by being able to attend baseball games.

There is nothing quite like singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch and booing at umpires after a bad call!

Texas Rangers expect 100% capacity for Opening Day at Globe Life Field

Globe Life Field will open its doors to Texas Rangers fans at full capacity for their final two exhibition games and on Opening Day, April 5th.