Staff file photo by TOM KING The FCBL's Pitcher of the Year as a starter for Nashua in 2018, Brandon Dufault will be a potential closer for the Silver Knights this season.

NASHUA – The season many didn’t think would ever happen in the wake of the pandemic begins today at 6 p.m. at Holman Stadium.

The Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League will begin their 10th season when Bedford’s Geoff Mosseau delivers the first pitch against the North Shore Navigators.

And yes, fans will be allowed to attend to watch what team owner John Creedon, Jr., calls “pandemic baseball.”

“It’s incredible to be looking out on the field and watching a team practice,” Creedon said as he was watching the team work out earlier in the week. “Getting to Opening Day is one thing, but we’re not expecting clear sailing at all this summer. We’re expecting a bumpy ride. We’re built for that, we’re prepared for that. Getting from Game 1 to Game 2 is another challenge, as is getting from Game 2 to Game 3.

“We’re just going to keep working our tails off to keep baseball going all summer.”

The league announced just over a week ago it would be operating an abbreviated 39-game schedule ending August 19, to be followed by the top two teams facing off in a best-of-three title game series. The season was supposed to start in late May, but that wasn’t possible due to COVID-19.

The gates will open up for season ticket holders at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the general public, Knights first-year general manager Cam Cook said. The ticket booth will be staffed as early as 4:15 p.m.

Fans must wear face coverings unless they are in their seats. The team’s complete COVID-19 Readiness Plan is posted on its website in the “Holman Stadium” section.

“The easiest way to look at it, from an outdoor perspective, it’s like the restaurants are now,” Cook said. “When you’re waiting in line for tickets, or at will call, or just entering through the concourse gates, masks, socially distant.”

There will signs, arrows, and ushers to guide fans for all the protocols, many of which are on the team’s website. Concession stands will be open and at some point, possibly as early as tonight, fans can also order food on line from their seats; they’ll be signs as to where to log on to around the stadium or on the video board, Cook said.

The fan capacity hasn’t been officially capped to a hard number, Cook said, as fans can also sit down the left field line with their lawn chairs in what had been the Kids Zone, and also the grass area behind that and the picnic area beyond the left field wall. That way seating can be spread out even further in the stadium apart from the bowl.

But generally speaking, the team is looking at 20 percent (700-800 range, but not hard and fast).

“There’s a lot of real estate out there,” Cook said, but noted fans will be spread out in the bowl as well.

Also, the suites will be open.

“The (suite) capacity will just be less than it typically is,” Cook said. “It’s based on the square footage and fire code, it’s about 60 percent of what normal capacity is.”

Players have to wear masks entering the park, and have their temperature checked before they can enter the clubhouse. City health officials addressed the players on Monday.

“We’ll adapt to any rules and regulations,” Cook said. “I’m super excited.”

The FCBL is the only summer collegiate league operating in New England as the NHCBL and Cape Cod League cancelled their seasons back in late May. But the four Massachusetts teams competing are on the road until that state enters its next re-opening phase, expected next week.

Creedon also owns the Worcester Bravehearts, but he confirmed that they will not be able to play for safety reasons at Holy Cross per normal this season. The Bravehearts will announce their alternate site next week, he said.

Nashua will also be home on Friday at 6 vs. Brockton and Sunday at 3 p.m. vs. Worcester. Creedon is asking for the fans to be patient with the health and safety related protocols, etc.

“Just be patient with us, we’re going to do the best we can to produce Nashua Silver Knights baseball this summer,” Creedon said. “We’re going to go slowly. Our focus is going to be on the baseball game itself and equal to that is keeping everybody healthy.

“This isn’t going to be business as usual. Lines may be longer. Just bear with us. We’re happy we can put on baseball at all. It’s just going to look and feel differently.”

But it’s also going to be Silver Knights/FCBL baseball, which weeks ago had to be considered a longshot.

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