COVID-19 issues force Modesto Nuts to cancel final home series of 2021 season
The Modesto Nuts canceled the final home series of the 2021 season due to COVID-19-related reasons, the organization announced Friday afternoon.
In a one-page press release, the team said the games were scrapped “to allow for additional COVID-19 testing and contact tracing of members of the Nuts organization.”
It did not specify if those staff “members” were players, front office staff or ballpark employees, including those who work the gates, food stands and other areas of the stadium and might come in contact with fans.
However, Nuts General Manager Zach Brockman did not believe anyone attending games at John Thurman Field would have been at risk.
“There is no reason to believe that any fans would have been exposed,’ he wrote in an email to The Bee on Friday night. “However, anyone who has concerns about their personal health during this international health crisis should seek the advice of their medical provider.”
Asked if players were in quarantine, Brockman wrote: “Yes. MLB’s protocols include but are not limited to frequent PCR testing, daily symptom screening and extensive contact tracing. Individuals who test positive are required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days and follow the care of medical staff.”
He said the decision to cancel the games “was made in consultation with MLB and the teams, however, MLB made the final call.”
The Nuts played their last home game on Tuesday night against Fresno in the first of a scheduled six-game home series with the Grizzlies. The game scheduled for Wednesday night was postponed with the hope it would be made up on Sunday as part of a day-night doubleheader.
However, Thursday’s game was postponed, and then the announcement came on Friday afternoon.
Brockman said that for privacy reasons, he could not offer details on what exactly touched off a move to COVID protocol.
Prior to Tuesday’s games, the Nuts on Sunday concluded a six-game home series with the Inland Empire 66ers.
The Nuts, who are 59-50 and in third place in the California League’s North Division, are scheduled to conclude the season with a six-game road trip at Stockton next week.
Those who have purchased tickets to any of the games that were canceled are urged to call the club at 209-572-4487 or email fun@modestonuts.com.
This story was originally published September 10, 2021 at 5:36 PM.
