When it comes to Chattanooga Lookouts games at AT&T Field, the masks are coming off and more fans are on the way.
The Lookouts have announced that the current 40% capacity at their 6,340-seat facility will increase to 70% for their second phase of home games that will start June 22 and run through July 25. Tickets for this second phase will go on sale Monday morning.
"We cannot thank our fans enough for an amazing first series," Lookouts president Rich Mozingo said in a release. "Being able to welcome even more fans to the ballpark on June 22 is another great step towards full capacity."
An AT&T Field crowd at 70% capacity is slightly less than 4,450.
The Lookouts and other minor league franchises throughout the country have been taking their directives this season from Major League Baseball. When asked what led to the increase this summer, Mozingo said: "MLB has basically gone to restrictions used by local municipalities. We are comfortable going up to 70% right now, and we will reassess things after June."
Pod-style seating will be reduced in Chattanooga's second phase to the lower box sections of 101, 102, 103 and in each upper box section. The remaining lower box sections will be at full capacity, and the Lookouts are also increasing capacity of their general admission seating.
Chattanooga is playing a six-game series in Montgomery that's set to finish Sunday and will play in Mississippi next week before returning May 25 to host the Tennessee Smokies. Beginning with that opening Smokies-Lookouts contest, masks will no longer be required at AT&T Field.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.