Orioles Opening Day: Traffic, Game Time, Coronavirus Measures

BALTIMORE, MD — After a season without fans, the Baltimore Orioles will have people cheering them on from the stands once again at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The O's home opener in Baltimore will be at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 8. Baltimore will take on the Boston Red Sox, a team they have beaten three times already this season, which began last week.

Gov. Larry Hogan will be in attendance and, since he eased capacity restrictions on outdoor venues in March, he may be joined by about 11,000 fans. Before the game, he plans to walk Eutaw Street at 2 p.m.

Gates will open at 2:05 p.m. Parking lots around the ballpark open one hour before game time.

People can tune in as the O's take on the Sox on 105.7 FM, MASN or for free on MLB.tv.

Pre-game festivities will start at 2:30 p.m. (See the lineup at the end of the article.)

Coronavirus Safety Measures

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, safety protocols at Camden Yards include required face coverings, pod seating with 6 feet of distance between fans and digital ticketing.

The ballpark will also be going completely cashless to limit touch points. For those who bring cash, there will be two "reverse ATM" machines that give cards in exchange for cash.

Fans can order food and drinks using a mobile ordering system. Hand sanitizing stations will be around the stadium, and people who feel sick are asked to stay home.

Bags are not allowed, other than medically necessary and diaper bags, according to the Orioles. Clutch purses no larger than 5-by-7 inches will be permitted.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards can operate at 25 percent capacity to start the season, meaning nearly 11,500 fans will be permitted inside.

Opening Day Road Closures

These streets will be closed at 1 p.m. Thursday, Baltimore City advised, to prep for the game:

• Eutaw Street from Pratt to Camden Streets
• Camden Street from Howard to Russell Streets
• Lee Street from Ramp D to Russell Street
• Hamburg Street from Russell to Leadenhall Streets
• Washington Boulevard from Paca to Greene Streets (closure starts at 10 a.m.)
• Left-lane closure along northbound Russell Street from Lee to Pratt Streets

In addition, parking was restricted at these roads as of 10 a.m. Thursday:

• East side of Greene Street from Lombard Street to Washington Boulevard
• East side of Eutaw Street from Pratt to Lombard Streets
• North side of Conway Street from Charles to Sharp Streets

Lineup For Opening Day

Pregame ceremonies start at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh (former mayor of Boston) will throw a joint ceremonial first pitch.

The National Anthem will be sung by Zadia, a west Baltimore-raised musician. The Continental Color Guard will present the colors, and the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing will conduct a flyover.

Front-line workers will be recognized before the game as well, as the team welcomes fans back to Camden Yards through a video tribute incorporating a poem by Baltimore poet Kondwani Fidel.

All fans will be recognized as the "10th man," a ceremonial honor that has been renamed "Mo Gaba's Fan of the Year." Gaba, 14, was a super fan who died in 2020.

Matt Harvey will be the starting pitcher for the O's at the home opener.

The lineup for the game we're playing today in front of fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. pic.twitter.com/k8rE6g5cu8
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 8, 2021

The O's started their 2021 season Friday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Although the season was supposed to start last Thursday, it was postponed by rain.

So far, the Orioles are 4-2, with three wins over the Red Sox and one against the Yankees.

See Also:

• Road Closures For Baltimore Orioles Home Opener
• O's Pitcher Shawn Armstrong Welcomes Baby Boy For Opening Day
• Baltimore Orioles To Start Season With Reduced Capacity