SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 26: A detailed view of the new T-Mobile Park sign as the Seattle Mariners take on the San Diego Padres during their spring training game at T-Mobile Park on March 26, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Abbie Parr/Getty Images
As Governor Jay Inslee lifts Washington’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Seattle Mariners are marking their official end of the restrictions by fully reopening the ballpark, allowing all 47,000 tickets to be sold once again.
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To celebrate the momentous occasion, the Mariners will host a “Grand Reopening Night” on Friday, July 2, when the Texas Rangers come to T-Mobile Park.
The festivities will start at 6:30 p.m. with a special pregame ceremony and run around the bases by a Make-A-Wish child. Mercer Island resident Evan Manfredo, age 9, will make his run around the diamond which was originally scheduled for April 1, but had to be done virtually due to the state's COVID-19 restrictions.
The ceremonial first pitch will be tossed by famed Jeopardy! contestant and host Ken Jennings, a Seattle native and long-time Mariners fan. The team will also be celebrating its 20-year anniversary of the record-setting 2001 American League West championship Mariners team. Team members Dan Wilson and Edgar Martinez will be welcomed to the mound to deliver the game ball.
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A special performance of the National Anthem will be performed by a quartet from the Seattle Symphony, with "Heath Care Heroes" holding a giant American flag on the field. In true patriotic spirit for Independence Day weekend, the ballpark will also be decked out in red, white, and blue bunting.
Complimentary tickets have been given to 162 essential workers to attend Friday's game as guests of the Seattle Mariners and Major League Baseball. Included will be representatives from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Bloodworks Northwest, and the Boys & Girls Club.
After the game, fans are invited to stick around for a patriotic-themed fireworks show. It will be the first postgame fireworks show at T-Mobile Park since September 2019.
According to a Seattle Mariners news release on Monday, social distancing and vaccination verification will no longer be required at T-Mobile Park. The Mariners, however, strongly encourage all fans to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.
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Tickets for the July 2 "Grand Reopening Night" and all remaining games on the Mariners home schedule are available online.