In any business or organization, the need to go to Plan B doesn’t always produce positive outcomes. Still, for the Williamsport Crosscutters, that fallback position has been greeted with smiling faces and open arms as the result of Pennsylvania’s relaxed COVID restrictions allowing ballparks across the state to operate at 100% capacity. While the newly renamed Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, won’t be at full capacity for their home opener, it won’t be long until the ballpark welcome 2,600 fans into the park

Crosscutters Director of Marketing and Public Relations Gabe Sinicropi sat down with Webb Weekly to review the new season.
WW – How happy are you with the stadium capacity restrictions now lifted?

“It is great news to be able to go to 100% capacity in the stadium and was a welcomed surprise to us. There is a lot of work involved to now undo what we had done to prepare for a 25% capacity, but it is positive work. To make things closer to normal, we are very happy about it.

“With the rollback on the mandate, it eliminates a lot of the rules we were preparing to put in place. Regarding new rules, masks are required unless you are actively eating or drinking at your seat. When fans are moving around the stadium, they will need to wear masks.

“Regarding the masking policy, we aren’t going to have people going around telling fans they have to put their mask on. When you are eating and drinking, you don’t have to have your mask on. At the same time, people won’t be eating or drinking every second they are in their seats. But when fans are out of their seats and moving around the stadium, we will be asking them to comply.

“While it is not a mandate, we still suggest social distancing be observed as much as possible. We also have a new clear bag policy that will cut down on contact at the front gate and alleviating our need to rifle through people’s bags as they enter the ballpark, which should speed up the entrance process. The full policy is available on the team’s website at crosscutters.com.

“This year, we will only be using the main gate behind home plate for stadium entrance, and we will be opening one hour prior to first pitch. Previously season ticket holders could enter the stadium ninety minutes before game time using the first base gate. That gate will be closed this year, mainly for player safety. The players are in and out of the clubhouse going to and from the field, and the first base gate opened adjacent to that area. During this time, we must keep that area safe and secure for the players.”
WW- How can fans purchase tickets?

“Fans will still have the opportunity to walk up to the box office and purchase tickets in person. Tickets may also be purchased online, and you can also download the tickets to your phone or print them at home. All tickets will be scanned at the front gate rather than ripped as in previous years. A contactless entrance is our goal. Our ticket plans and prices are the same as last year. Single-game tickets for field reserved are $9.75, stadium reserved are $8.00. There are other prices for the dugout deck and loggers landing.”
WW- Are there concession stand restrictions?

“Our concession stands will be operating in a few different ways. For those who want to go down and stand in line, it will operate as it always has. You will also now be able to order with your smartphone from your seat. You can place your order and make payment from your seat. You can then choose either pickup or delivery can be made right to your seat. This is something totally new, but I think as time goes on, more fans will be taking advantage of those options.”
WW- Do you know what players will be in Cutters uniforms?

“We have learned of some players being assigned to the Crosscutters but expect to be able to release the opening day roster in the next few days. There will be some fluidity to the roster throughout the season, especially after MLB’s player draft takes place July 11-13. We’ll know more about this after we’ve gone through a season, but I would imagine we will be seeing more movement relating to the roster after the draft than we will see before it.”
WW-Will fans and the media have access to the team?

“We will be having a media day, most likely on May 23, the players’ first full day here before the season opens on the 24th. But due to COVID guidelines and protection for the players, we won’t be holding a ‘Meet the Cutters’ event for the fans this year. Unfortunately, as of now, we won’t be able to have any players or mascot autograph opportunities available for the fans either. That is subject to change should things improve as the season goes along. But, we still need to keep player safety as a priority.”
WW- Have you been in contact with other Draft League teams?

“We have had twice-weekly calls with the other Draft League teams (State College, Mahoning Valley, West Virginia, Trenton, NJ, and Frederick Keys, MD) comparing notes on how things are progressing. Like us, State College is operating at 100% capacity, and the other clubs are varied based upon their individual state regulations.”
WW- With baseball at Bowman Field returning, what is your message to the fans?

“We hope the fans will come out and enjoy themselves. This season has taken on a whole new look since the announcement allowing us to go to 100% capacity. I think it is going to be a welcomed time for people to come out and enjoy baseball. It will be over 630 days since we last had a Cutters game. That’s a long time, and it is going to be great to be back. Come out and enjoy the fun. There are no changes, except where we get our players from, and masks need to be worn. Other than that, it is the same experience coming out to a Cutters game. We look forward to renewing our friendships with all of our fans.”