“Hopefully it’s finally starting to die down, it's going away and we can get back to our normal lives,” she said before offering similar optimism for the rest of the Chiefs’ season. Like Sipf, Johnson expressed optimism that COVID-19 may be subsiding. So to see fans here, season-ticket holders and people coming up to me that I haven’t seen in a long time, it’s good to reconnect with them, for sure.” Just looking out every day seeing an unused ballpark, that was pretty tough. “That's something I hope I never go through again, not having a season. “It seems like it's definitely been 20 months,” he said. Mott joked that getting ready for an opening day after such a long delay was similar to a wedding: a lot of planning, then before you know it, it’s over.
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Just being able to actually witness it, not through a TV screen, is an awesome feeling.” It’s just awesome to be back I have chills.
“I think it’s great, especially with the community of Peoria coming together to cheer on a local team,” added Leverton. “We’re just so relieved to be back here watching the boys play and getting back into baseball, enjoying the start of the summer,” said Johnson. Johnson said they go to “every game, every year,” so the lost season left a void. “Hopefully we can continue taking care of one another, masking up and getting our vaccines, and things can get back to normal even quicker.”įriends Ashley Johnson of Washington and Stephanie Leverton of East Peoria had seats a couple rows behind the Chiefs’ dugout along the first base line. “Things are starting to get back and life is starting to get back,” he said. Sipf said having baseball back and fans at Dozer Park was about “community, pride, love, and enjoyment,” and perhaps optimism that the worst of COVID-19 is over. Crowds still make me a little nervous,” said Sipf as the kids cheered. “It is wonderful, amazing, and still a little anxiety-provoking. He admitted being excited, but also a little apprehensive.
The announced attendance of 950 included John Sipf of Peoria, who came to the game with his wife Rebecca, 8-year-old daughter Maggie, and 6-year-old son Eli. It's one of those things that it’s what we have to do to have baseball, and if I've got to wear a mask to have people in the stands, then so be it.” “Obviously, people are getting tired of the masks and we understand that. “I think people are used to it, I think,” said Chiefs general manager Jason Mott. The concourse had distance markers as well, and fans were required to wear face masks. Seating was limited to 20% capacity in the seating bowl, and alternating rows were roped off for social distancing. I was just thinking how nice it is for him to be able to kind of walk around a little freely, knowing that he's safe and can enjoy the experience.”Įnsuring a safe experience amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that canceled last year’s minor league season was a top priority for team officials. I’ve already been talking with people, and my son is ready to catch some balls. It feels so good,” said Wolfe as she prepared to watch the game with her 12-year-old son Ethan from their seats just a few rows behind home plate. I’m so excited to be here just rooting on the Chiefs and being a part of the Peoria community again.
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However it’s phrased, that was the length of the Peoria Chiefs’ separation from their hometown fans - an absence that ended with Tuesday night’s home opener at Dozer Park.įor Chiefs fan Jessica Wolfe, the return of professional baseball to central Illinois evoked an emotional response. Calling it “20 months” makes it seem even longer, or “620 days” longer still.
More than 1½ years seems like a long time.
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