Dodgers, Rays grateful to have some fans in the stands

While the stadium is only partially full, having live fans in the audience for the World Series has been a welcome addition, both teams agreed. This year's Fall Classic is the only MLB games this year that have not had nearly completely empty grandstands.

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October 27, 2020 - 10:21 AM

Staci and Kenny Meadows, parents of Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Austin Meadows, are at the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times / TNS

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Individual whistles echo during quieter moments, and a single fan with enough persistence can leave an impression with a chant during World Series games with the smallest crowds in more than 100 years.

Because of the coronavirus, this year’s Fall Classic is being held at a neutral site. A team from each coast is playing in Texas, drawing fans from Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida — along with curious Rangers supporters seeing the home squad’s new retractable-roof stadium for the first time.

The roughly 11,000 mask-wearing fans each night — well, they’re supposed to be wearing face coverings — are roughly 11,000 more than players saw in the stands during the regular season and all of the American League playoffs. So 40,518-seat Globe Life Field might as well be full as far as the Tampa Bay Rays are concerned.

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