Monday night’s Game 1 of the NLCS was a historical one for 2020. It marked the first time stadiums allowed fans to enter and watch a major league baseball game. Previous to Monday the last time MLB stadiums allowed fans in a competitive game: Game 7 of the 2019 World Series in Houston between the Nationals and Astros.

These fans walking in are the first group of fans EVER at Globe Life Field to witness an actual baseball game. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/Cu1n5RLo99

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) October 12, 2020

I was curious, wondering how the atmosphere would feel. It was a breath of air looking across the stadium during batting practice and seeing kids yell for baseballs gathered in the first row. There was a murmur in the stadium, and fans started piling in. Major League Baseball allowed Globe Life Field to sell a little over 11,000 tickets. Fans witnessed the roof opening about twenty minutes before game time.

There was a moment of silence to honor the passing of baseball legend Joe Morgan along with the National Anthem. Throughout the 2020 season, the National Anthem was utterly silent, but on Monday, you can hear little whispers along with a few yells in the mix because, well, fans will be fans. Once Chuck Morgan announced, “It’s Baseball Time In Texas,” the stadium went berserk, a moment all baseball fans were ready to shout. Braves and Dodgers fans weren’t shy about letting their screams out.

Our time will come again @Rangers Until then, “It’s Baseball Time In Texas” #NLCS #Arlington #GlobeLifeField @rmatwick pic.twitter.com/fsvAWopsO9

— Russell J. Warren (@RussellJWarren) October 13, 2020

Immediately starting the game, the Tomahawk Chop (a prevalent occurrence at Truist Park in Atlanta) started. Dodgers’ fans reacted with some “Let’s Go Dodgers.” Meanwhile, specific audio you usually hear but haven’t during games came back. For instance, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to someone boo on a baseball field or hear Ric Flair, “woo.” Also, the jumbotron, like any major league park, tried to focus on the home team fans. Of course, that didn’t stop the Rangers from putting a few Rangers’ fans on there on occasion.

There was a mixture in the crowd between Dodgers, Braves, and Rangers fans. I saw a lot of Dodger blue, Braves red and white, and Rangers red and blue. Socially distanced fans were present throughout the night (mostly), and most people had their masks on. I’m not sure if Globe Life Security had any issues with unmasked individuals, but it seemed like everyone was compliant with the protocols. The main idea was to watch an excellent postseason game, and the fans got their wish.

So the A’s aren’t going to the World Series… but at least I can watch a baseball game IN PERSON with no stress about who wins. 😂

Mask on. Zip tied seats for social distancing. Brand new Rangers stadium.

This feels good. @GlobeLifeField pic.twitter.com/EY6zEDeI1j

— Tiffany Liou (@tliou) October 13, 2020

The ballgame itself was a treat for fans to witness. Monday’s Game 1 was a pitching duel between Walker Buehler and Max Fried. Since the Dodgers were the home team, the sounds and jumbotron acted like Dodger Stadium, along with the introductions. Along with the pitching duel, fans got to see something that even I and other media members didn’t see a whole lot of, home runs. Monday saw four home runs accounting for five of the six runs scored on the night. The Atlanta Braves hit two homers in the ninth inning to jolt the Braves crowd that showed at Globe Life Field.

The Rangers and Globe Life Field did a tremendous job Monday, making it fan-friendly. I look forward to witnessing a full ballpark, and while it felt a little bittersweet seeing the first crowd with the Rangers not on the field, it was a treat to observe fans watch a baseball game at the Rangers’ new stomping grounds.

10,700 is the paid attendance at @Rangers Globe Life Field Game 1. First time we have a PAID attendance in a MLB park.#NLCS #Dodgers #Braves #Rangers

— Alex Plinck (@aplinckTX) October 13, 2020