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Message from Big Train Founder & President Bruce Adams

Big Train fans:

Recently, I wrote you with the good news that Montgomery County had approved our plan for the return of Big Train baseball at Shirley Povich Field with up to 250 fans. With a change in CDC guidance and a very impressive vaccination rate in Montgomery County, we are going to be able to open our 2021 season in less than ten days with even more fans.

We are excited about the opportunity to play before a larger crowd. Because we know not everyone will be vaccinated, we are going to maintain some protocols to protect the health and safety of our fans, players, coaches, staff, and volunteers.

The key is respect. For two decades, we have taken pride in the family friendly environment we have created at Povich Field. Since our inaugural season in 1999, the core of the Big Train family has been families with young children. Many of our young fans have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated. We want their parents to be comfortable bringing their kids to our games. We want these kids to have the great summer they were denied in 2020.

When you come to Povich Field this summer, please bring a mask. To help our fans feel comfortable, we ask you to wear your mask in all situations where there could be people congregating or waiting in line - when you are entering and exiting the ballpark, walking in the common areas, and visiting the concession stands or restrooms.

Fans in their assigned seats or in the picnic areas who are fully vaccinated – your final shot plus two weeks – need not wear a mask. We urge all fans not yet fully vaccinated to conform with CDC guidelines and wear a mask at all times except while actively eating or drinking in their assigned seat or picnic area. We ask that no one eat or drink or linger in the common areas.

We will have two entrances, and we are creating a new exit only gate to avoid congestion coming and going. We ask fans to go online and purchase tickets in advance. We will sell tickets onsite, but we urge people to help us avoid long lines by pre-ordering tickets and having your QR code ready to be scanned at the entrances. Your tickets will tell you which entrance to use.

All staff working in common areas will be wearing masks at all times. Sadly, we have decided to not have autograph sessions and on-field experiences – first pitches, mascot races, and musical chairs – in order to keep our players and coaches separate from our fans, staff, and volunteers.

We are reserving the Right Field Bleachers for fans who want a higher level of protection. Capacity in the Right Field Bleachers will be limited to 50% using a pod system that provides three feet of distance between each pod of seats. All fans sitting in the Right Field Bleachers -- whether fully vaccinated or not -- must be masked at all times except while actively eating or drinking. These seats may be reserved by emailing tickets@bigtrain.org.

Within our Big Train family, we have people with different views. I ask that every fan respect the family friendly values we have worked so hard to build. Let’s treat each other with dignity and respect. Please respect the protocols we have established to protect the health and safety of all members of the Big Train family. Get your tickets ahead of time online, come to the game a little early, and have your QR code ready to be scanned. If the line to get in is a little long, please be patient.

If you are frustrated by any of the actions a staff member or volunteer asks of you, please don’t take it out on them. Talk to me. Email me.

We will be reevaluating our protocols on a regular basis and making appropriate changes during the season. Our website will be updated as changes are made. Please know we will be doing our very best to protect the health and safety of every member of the Big Train family and our guests.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We are working hard to bring the fun back to Povich Field for you this summer. Hope to see you there.

Now, let’s Play Ball!

Roll Train,

Bruce Adams
Founder & President

P.S. I want to hear from you. Please email me at bruce@greaterwash.org with any suggestions you have for improving your Big Train baseball experience at Shirley Povich Field.