Brewers ask health officials to allow 35% capacity at American Family Field

As baseball gets ready to head into its second season under pandemic conditions and other leagues — including another one operating in Milwaukee — start to allow fans back into the stands, the Brewers are making their pitch to Milwaukee health officials to allow in-person spectators again.

Tom Haudricourt, Adam McCalvy and others are reporting the Brewers filed an extensive (VERY extensive, at 350 pages long) health protocol and facilities plan to the Milwaukee Health Department, in which they request permission to allow fans at the stadium this year, starting at 35% capacity.

Given the layout of the park, that would mean roughly 15,000 to 16,000 fans per game being allowed through the gates.

For what it’s worth, Haudricourt reports the Brewers have been in constant dialogue with local health officials and are very confident their plan will be approved.

Even if the 35% capacity wish isn’t granted, it does seem likely that the health department will allow some level of fans, considering they just approved the Milwaukee Bucks to allow 10% capacity at Fiserv Forum — an indoor arena where distancing is more difficult compared to American Family Field, which also has the benefit of keeping the roof and panels open.

The Brewers have already gotten clearance from health officials in Phoenix — who may have different requirements — to allow a little more than 2,000 fans per game at the Spring Training complex for Cactus League games.

The team will host members of the health department next week to give them a walkthrough of the stadium layout and any changes to things like concession procedures and other health precautions. If this process plays out like the Bucks situation did, we’ll learn more about what will be required for fans feeling comfortable enough to go back to the ballpark this season.