What fans need to know
Major League Baseball urges everyone to follow proper guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Here are some helpful facts and best practices to help keep you and your community as safe as possible.
Giants Updates
Statement from the San Francisco Giants Regarding Updated State COVID-19 Guidelines as Announced by CA Governor Gavin Newsom
March 5, 2021
The Giants are very encouraged by Governor Newsom’s announcement today updating state guidelines that would permit fans to attend baseball games at Oracle Park, subject to final approval by local health officials. The updated state guidelines for ballparks and other outdoor venues allow for a limited number of fans seated in socially-distanced pods in counties operating in the red tier or better. Given that San Francisco is currently operating in the red tier and conditions are steadily improving, we are hopeful that we can welcome a limited number of fans back to Oracle Park beginning with our home opener on April 9.
Health and safety is our number one priority and we have been working over the past several months to develop plans and protocols to ensure a safe experience for our fans, employees and the community as a whole. In the coming days, the Giants will submit our operational plans for review and approval by the local health officials and we eagerly look forward to safely welcoming fans back to Oracle Park.
For detailed information on our most up to date health and safety protocols at Oracle Park, please visit www.sfgiants.com/fansafe.
From the Desk of Larry Baer
January 25, 2021
Happy New Year! I hope you are safe and healthy and looking forward to the upcoming baseball season. While our state and country continue to face many challenges resulting from the pandemic, I am feeling more optimistic as vaccines begin to become available in our communities. We certainly have a ways to go until we get past the pandemic, but we are encouraged and can see a pathway to welcoming our fans back to Oracle Park.
To that end, we wanted to provide you with an update on the 2021 season and our plans for re-opening Oracle Park. We realize that there may be more questions than we have answers for at this point, but we can at least start with providing an overview of our approach to our health and safety planning.
*Update on Spring Training reporting dates and the start of the 2021 Regular Season *
Major League Baseball has announced the dates for the start of Spring Training (pitchers and catchers on February 15) and the regular season (April 1 at Seattle). As those dates get closer, MLB -- in consultation with public health authorities, medical experts and the Players Association -- will determine whether any modifications should be considered in light of the current surge in Covid-19 cases. As such, we remain extremely flexible and are planning for a number of scenarios to respond to the changing dynamics.
Additionally, with Covid-19 cases fluctuating throughout California, we don’t yet know when we will be allowed to bring fans and employees back to Oracle Park. City and County of San Francisco Public Health officials have the ultimate authority on determining when we can re-open Oracle Park. We are in regular contact with both local and state officials to ensure that we follow all appropriate guidelines as we develop our health and safety protocols.
It is also important to note that since all MLB teams are subject to their own city and county public health guidelines, MLB ballpark re-openings and their ability to have fans in attendance will vary throughout the state and the country.
FanSafe Planning & Approach
We share our fans’ top priority of health and safety and we are actively planning for the safe re-opening of Oracle Park in 2021. These plans build upon the original Oracle Park Covid Action Plan that was created for the 2020 baseball season and approved by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. All of our 2021 plans and protocols are subject to approval by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. We are currently preparing detailed plans and protocols in four primary focus areas:
Health, Safety & Hygiene -- We have developed and initiated best-in-class standards for a clean and healthy venue and we recently achieved GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) Accreditation for our sanitation practices. We have initiated robust Covid testing for all of our employees working at Oracle Park. Since last year, we have operated and will expand a strict App-based health screening program for anyone entering the ballpark.
Ballpark Access, Concessions & Experience -- We are exploring modifications to our entry experience to maintain security and enhance health and safety. Health screenings, face coverings and social distancing will initially be required in all areas of the ballpark in 2021. We expect to substantially modify how employees and fans navigate Oracle Park with an enhanced wayfinding program.
Plans are also being developed to offer a complete Oracle Park food and beverage experience utilizing the MLB Ballpark app.
Ticketing and Ballpark Seating
We are preparing seating plans that enable social distancing and conform with any additional health and safety requirements. Plans will prioritize Season Ticket Members (STMs) and make best efforts to maintain their seat locations. Traditional ticket selling will be impacted by the pandemic and we are developing plans and products to meet the needs of fans in this unique environment.
Transportation
The pandemic has had major impacts on the transportation system that serves the ballpark. The Giants are working with all transit operators to be sure fans continue to have a wide array of transit options to access Oracle Park in 2021 and beyond. The Giants are also developing new parking options for those who drive or bicycle to Oracle Park. The Giants will continue to actively support and promote the ease of walking or utilizing ride-share.
Keeping our Fans Informed
Given the current uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, our planning will continue to evolve as new information becomes available. Our goal is to keep you informed every step of the way. In the next few weeks, we will launch our FanSafe Program to provide you with regular pre-season updates and to offer additional information on health and safety planning as we move closer to re-opening the ballpark.
On behalf of the entire Giants organization, I want to thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate these challenging times. I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy in this new year and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Oracle Park as soon as it is safe to do so.
Warm Regards,
Oracle Park Receives GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation
Dignity Health Partners with the San Francisco Giants to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
GIANTS STATEMENT ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE 2020 MAJOR LEAGUE SEASON
Read April 2, 2020 Letter
A Message to Our Fans
April 2, 2020
Dear Giants Fans,
On what would have been our 21st Opening Day at Oracle Park this Friday, we instead find ourselves united in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. These are unprecedented times and, like all of you, we're navigating this new terrain almost day by day, working to keep our colleagues and loved ones healthy and safe and figuring out ways to help those most impacted by this pandemic.
First and foremost, we urge you to follow the preventive and social distancing measures outlined by public health officials. Our hearts go out to all those now suffering from the virus and to the families who have lost loved ones.
The worst of times so often brings out the best in humanity, and the quiet acts of selflessness and heroism all around us every day continue to leave us awestruck.
We are so deeply grateful to those working on the front lines and risking their own health and safety to save others and to provide essential services. Thank you to health care workers, first responders, public health officials, sanitation workers, social services providers, farm workers, grocery workers, food banks and the restaurant community, among others. And we want to acknowledge the educators who are doing their best under very challenging circumstances to continue to engage and teach our children.
In that spirit, the Giants are working with many of our community partners, Junior Giants families and employees directly impacted by COVID-19 to provide assistance, support and guidance. For more information on these efforts, and to find resources and updates, visit our website under COVID-19 2020 Season Updates. We are working closely with Major League Baseball (MLB) and our local authorities to ensure we make the best decisions to protect public health and safety. We will continue to provide you with regular updates as information becomes available.
You'll also find on our revised sfgiants.com/FANS page a few things we hope bring a smile to your face. It's a central hub of information that includes a schedule of the classic Giants games on NBC Sports Bay Area and KNBR, puzzles/games/coloring pages for the kids, highlights of our latest content on YouTube and more.
Finally, we hope you will help us recognize what would've been our home opener tomorrow by wearing your Giants orange and joining us virtually for Opening Day at Home presented by Oracle to hear from members of the Giants Family and to watch memorable moments in Giants history. Please tune in to NBC Sports Bay Area or sfgiants.com at 1:35 p.m. for a special Giants Stream of the historic 2014 NLCS Pennant Clinching Game 5. You can also follow along on Twitter (@SFGiants) for special appearances, including a message from Giants Broadcaster Mike Krukow, the national anthem performed by former Giant Jake Peavy and line ups announced by Renel Brooks Moon. The GIANTS STREAM will also be available on all of our social channels: YouTube.com/Giants; Facebook.com/Giants; and on Twitter @SFGiants.
As it did after the 1989 earthquake, September 11th and other tragic events, baseball will be there to lift and unite our community in the aftermath of this devastating pandemic. When the time is right, we will again gather at the ballpark or around our televisions, radios, phones and other devices to welcome back baseball and cheer on the Giants.
Wishing you continued good health,
The San Francisco Giants
Giants to Establish $1 million Fund to Support Event Staff Affected by Postponement of Major League Baseball Games
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The San Francisco Giants today announced that it has established a fund of $1 million to assist those event staff affected by the postponement of the 2020 season. In addition to the $1 million pledged by the club, the Giants will ask its ownership group and business partners to also support this effort.
“Our event staff is the heart and soul of Oracle Park,” said Giants President & CEO Larry Baer. “During these challenging times, we want to provide peace of mind and support to our event staff employees so they can focus on their family and loved ones.”
Details regarding the fund will be finalized in the coming days and will be communicated directly to the Giants event staff.
Opening of regular season to be pushed back
Monday, March 16, 2020
On Monday, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. conducted a conference call with the 30 Clubs of Major League Baseball. Following last night’s newly updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, the opening of the 2020 regular season will be pushed back in accordance with that guidance.
MLB will keep fans updated on decisions regarding plans for the 2020 schedule in the days and weeks ahead. The Clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins. We will continue to monitor ongoing events and undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts, and urge all baseball fans to follow suit. MLB extends its best wishes to all the individuals and communities who have been impacted by the coronavirus.
Ticketing Information as of Friday, March 13, 2020
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday, March 12 that we have canceled Spring Training games effective immediately and we will postpone the start of the 2020 season by at least two weeks. This decision is without a doubt in the best interests of our community, our fans and the entire baseball family. The health and safety of our collective communities is paramount and it is incumbent upon all of us to do our part in helping slow the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.
We continue to work closely with Major League Baseball and our local health and government officials to monitor the situation, and we’ll provide updates as information regarding our schedule and tickets becomes available.
Statement from the San Francisco Giants Regarding the Postponement of the 2020 Season
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday, March 12 that we have canceled Spring Training games effective immediately and we will postpone the start of the 2020 season by at least two weeks. This decision is without a doubt in the best interests of our community, our fans and the entire baseball family. The health and safety of our collective communities is paramount and it is incumbent upon all of us to do our part in helping slow the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.
We continue to work closely with Major League Baseball and our local health and government officials to monitor the situation, and we’ll provide updates as information regarding our schedule and tickets becomes available.
