The Quad Cities River Bandits kick off the 2021 baseball season tomorrow in South Bend, Indiana.
Chris Widger, manager of the Quad Cities River Bandits, says the team will be playing in a bubble. While on the road, players will only be allowed to stay with their designated hotel roommate. No matter what the state’s indoor dining policy is, players are not able to go out to eat.
“You know, your parents are going to come in and see you play for four or five days, and you can’t go out to eat with them. But to put it in perspective, that’s what you have to do to get back on the field, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
But players might not be playing four to five days every week. Widger says the team has multiple starters, and a lot of talent this season.
“It’s a great problem to have but also causes you some anxiety because, well, here we have guys that should literally be playing four or five days a week, and what do you do? So, it’s letting them know that, hey, it’s nothing personal; it’s professional baseball. We got to make sure that everybody rolls through and gets plenty at bats, because they all have an opportunity of moving up to the AA level.”
The Quad Cities River Bandits face South Bend tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in Four Winds Field. The River Bandits play their first home game against Cedar Rapids on May 11.
