It’s been 19 months since the Omaha Storm Chasers last played a game.
But in less than a month, they will be making their long-awaited return to the field at Werner Park.
“May 4th can’t get here soon enough. Having not had any games at Werner Park for Storm Chasers baseball since September of 2019, it’s been a long time. We’re excited for our fan base and really want to get back to baseball as normal,” said Martie Cordaro, the president of the Omaha Storm Chasers.
The organization took a hit last year when the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic – that included all players, coaches and employees around the Storm Chasers organization.
“The bigger wrecking ball came back in March when it got shut down to begin with. At that point the season was delayed and I think by the time we got to the actual announcements of Minor League Baseball being canceled it was kind of inevitable,” said Tony Boone, the media and public relations manager for the Storm Chasers.
To begin the season, the Storm Chasers will allow 50% capacity at Werner Park with everyone, including players not on the field and coaches, required to wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing. Attendance could possibly increase sometime around the summer.
“I think that every intention is to open it up farther as the season goes along. Depending on what happens with the folks and the vaccine,” Boone said.
The Storm Chasers will play a 120 game schedule this season. Each series will be six games every Tuesday through Sunday with a day off on Monday. The schedule will be limited to division opponents only to limit travel and there will be no All Star Game or playoff season this year.
The Storm Chasers will open their season at home on May 4 against the Saint Paul Saints. The thing that Cordaro said he is most excited for as the Storm Chasers return to the field is getting back to developing the players around the Kansas City Royals farm system.
