SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- The Syracuse Mets season was delayed by about a month, but it is almost here, slated to begin this Tuesday. Fans will be back in attendance, but because of New York State guidelines, fans must test negative prior to the game or show proof of vaccination. The Mets have now made it easier to get that test, by offering free rapid antigen tests outside NBT Bank Stadium for fans attending the game.
“We understand that it can be an inconvenience for fans to have to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or provide a negative test, so being able to partner with Onondaga County and provide those free COVID tests is a real game changer,” said Michael Tricarico from the Mets media relations.
For Mets home games taking place on Tuesday through Saturday, testing will be available from 1pm to 7pm, and for Sunday games, testing will run from 9am to 2pm. According to the Mets’ website, “the tests will be administered outside NBT Bank Stadium in clearly marked areas.” Fans must register for their tests on the Onondaga County website at https://covid19.ongov.net/appointments/testing-registration-form/.
“Anything you can do to make it easier to get into the ballpark, knowing that there’s going to be extra steps to be able to safely do that this year, it’s a win, and for them to partner with the county, it’s a big deal, because it is making it exponentially easier,” said Niko Tamurian, the sports director at CNY Central. Tamurian said that there were comments on CNY Central’s social media accounts complaining about having to get tests, but stressed that the free testing was great for fans who didn’t want to have to go out of their way to gets tests.
Mets tickets are available for the first home series, which will be Tuesday-Sunday, a six game series instead of the normal three or four game series. This will be the case for every series in AAA baseball this year, with off-days on Mondays every week. NBT Bank Stadium will open to fans for the first time since undergoing massive renovations of the left field and right field areas.
We're back with the 11th installment of Under Construction Presented by the Nave Law Firm!
Today's episode comes out of right field as Jason breaks down what's been happening over at our Right Field entrance! #LetsGO pic.twitter.com/Z7XPwmyqII
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) February 26, 2021
“What I’m really looking forward to seeing is the reaction that we get from our fans about the whole renovation that our stadium underwent,” said Michael Tricario. “I really think that NBT Bank Stadium now is one of the better stadiums in baseball.”
With the combination of the renovations, new testing options, and reduced capacity at 20% to start the season, tickets have been understandably going fast for the first series. Tricarico said he is excited to have fans back in the stadium, but he also is just happy to have baseball back. “No matter what the guidelines are from the state, we’re just happy to be able put joy back on people’s faces when they’re coming to NBT Bank Stadium for a Syracuse Mets game,” said Tricarico.
New York State announced that all mass vaccination sites, like the one at the New York State Fair, will be taking walk-in appointments starting today. With the availability for vaccines in the area, as well as the opportunity for fans to get tested at the stadium, getting to a Syracuse Mets game this year will be much easier than anticipated.
