Baseball season wrapping up this weekend at Frontier Field

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Managers and fans alike declared victory as the Rochester Red Wings baseball team wraps up its 2021 season after months of navigating coronavirus restrictions.

The team started its final weekend Friday night with a 10-3 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders but just the chance to be out on the diamond was a treat at Frontier Field.

“It feels like it’s supposed to,” exclaimed fan Rachel Bruzee of Webster. “Everyone seems great. I know there’s people with masks on that don’t want to be in masks but, it seems like it’s another great baseball night “

As the Red Wings go into their final weekend, fans say the season is winding down with the games feeling, almost normal.

"I think there’s still an uneasiness,” said Lorraine Helms of Irondequoit, “and how we feel and we want to be comfortable, we want to make sure people around us are safe."

"Vaccinated, unvaccinated, masks, no masks, the whole 9 yards, you know,” said Chris Bruzee of Webster. “Just out to see a great game. And go Red Wings!"

After an entire 2020 season of no games, this season at Frontier Field has gone through multiple versions of coronavirus restrictions, from different limits on capacity, to separate vaccinated and unvaccinated sections, to no restrictions, just a recommendation that fans wear masks in indoor spaces.

"Just before our home opener, we had to adjust our plan,” recalled General Manager Dan Mason. “And then, again in mid-June, we had to adjust our plan. And then again in mid-July. And then, again, in mid-August."

“I feel safe,” declared Kiki Allatt of Rochester. “We were concerned when the first game started because we weren’t vaccinated. But now we are fully vaccinated.“

Managers said they and the team are gratified to have the Wings back on the field, with the support of the crowds, even if they’ve only been about 3,000 to 5,000 per game far fewer than the stadium’s capacity of 10,000.

But, after no season, followed by this diminished season, this organization is surviving.

“We took advantage of, you know, the government help that was offered to us. That made a big difference for us,” said Naomi silver, red wings President, CEO. “We will be okay. We’ll be okay. Not everybody has gotten through it quite as well as we have and we are just grateful.“

Managers said they’d prefer a better season. The Wings went into this weekend 49 and 74 but. “I don’t think any of us who work in this game, whether you’re a player or an executive, or a fan, well ever take coming to the ballpark for granted again,” Mason said.

The Wings will be back for two more games Saturday and Sunday nights.