The Altoona Curve released their season schedule this afternoon. The team will open at home May 4 and play 60 home contests.
The May 4 start date is the latest in franchise history, but is actually earlier than some people had projected once it became clear that Double-A and Single-A teams would be delayed.
Once majors leaguers are finished with spring training, minor leaguers then will take part in spring training, thereby pushing back the start of the season. The Curve did not play last season as minor league baseball was shut down because of the coronavirus.
The Curve are selling season ticket packages. Game times have not yet been released.
How many fans will be allowed at games?
General manager Derek Martin said he expects a situation where the club will be able to have, say, a 10 percent capacity at the ballpark, or 20-25 percent or more, based on whatever the state rules allow at a given time.
Peoples Natural Gas Field has a capacity of 10,000. So, if the capacity is 10 percent, then 1,000 fans would be allowed. The hope would be that the number is 25 or even 50 percent at some point during the season, which would mean 2,500-5,000 fans allowed for a game.
LISTEN: Curve GM Derek Martin discusses the schedule and what to expect this season on “Sports Central with Cory Giger”
This is from the Curve release:
Season ticket packages for all 60 of the 2021 Curve home games are on sale now.Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the 2021 season can reach out by phone at 877.99.CURVE or stop by the Peoples Natural Gas Field offices.
“We will be working closely with our state and local officials to ensure that when fans do return to Peoples Natural Gas Field, they will be able to do so safely,” Martin said. “We will have additional information regarding capacity, group tickets, individual tickets and our hospitality areas available for fans soon.”
By opponent, the Curve home slate includes 12 games against Akron, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians; six games against Binghamton, Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets; six games against the Bowie Baysox; 12 games against the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers; 12 games against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals; six games against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants; and six games against the Somerset Patriots.