The Fort Wayne TinCaps feel like a baseball player getting back into the swing of things.

After the COVID-19 pandemic washed out the 2020 season, last season got going a month later than usual, and then only with restrictions and safety protocols.

As hard as they tried, they couldn’t get into a rhythm. Circumstances have kept them on their heels, until now.

The TinCaps open the season April 8 at Dayton then return on April 12 for the home opener against South Bend.

“There’s a ton of genuine excitement,” TinCaps president Mike Nutter said. “We are excited, but as much as anything, it will be great to see this place rocking again.”

Having the freedom to enjoy baseball again is a psychological boost. It’s full-steam ahead for a team that had to crawl, limp, and tiptoe through the last two seasons.

Nutter said he’s looking forward to giving people a distraction from day-to-day struggles.

Since the franchise moved downtown in 2009, the TinCaps have averaged more than 5,800 fans a game. In the five years before pandemic (2015-19), nearly 400,000 fans consistently packed into Parkview Field each year.

“We get to entertain people,” Nutter said. “We’re the place they come when they want to get away from their phone, and get away from their job, and get away from the stresses of life.”

New Twists on Good-old Fun

When fans return to Parkview Field this month, they’ll notice some new elements in how the game is played.

A pitch clock, larger bases, and prohibiting the defensive shift in the minor leagues have been implemented to speed up the pace of games.

“In 2010, the average TinCaps game was two hours and 40 minutes,” Nutter said. “In 2021, it was three hours, 22 minutes. That’s 42 minutes longer. We have to be sensitive to people’s attention spans and work schedules the next day.”

One-time Only Opportunities

In August, the TinCaps will pay homage to Latin culture, rebranding themselves as the Manzanas Luchadoras (Fighting Apples), Aug. 5-7. Nutter said the team’s temporary logo for the games plays on the huge popularity of wrestling in Central and South America.

“Imagine our apple logo with a wrestling mask over it,” he said. “The response has been tremendous.”

On May 27, the team hosts Marvel Super Hero Night.

“The players will be wearing licensed Marvel uniforms, and we’ll have Marvel gear in the team store,” Nutter said.

On July 7, fans of The Office will get the chance to meet actor Leslie David Baker, who portrayed Stanley on the popular NBC comedy.

“I’m at the age where (the most popular show) was Seinfeld,” Nutter said. “That was our show. We loved it. You could watch it a hundred times on reruns. For my kids’ age, it’s The Office. We’ve got Stanley making an appearance, meeting people. We did a bobblehead of him that people could buy in a package, and then meet with him and get a photo.”

Nutter has high hopes for a brand-new attraction, Dueling Pianos on June 25.

“We literally put a piano on each dugout. With the netting, it’s easier and a lot safer,” he said. “They take requests and get the whole stadium singing.”

Other promotions include an Indianapolis 500 tribute on April 28, a Fort Wayne Daisies Throwback on May 21, Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act on May 28 and July 16, Wands & Wizards Night on June 10 with a themed scarf coming with every ticket, and Princess Night on June 21.

Health and Wellness

To help fans with peanut allergies, the team is hosting Peanut Free nights when nothing peanut-related or items that came in contact with peanut products is served. All traces of peanuts and its products will be removed from the stadium for games May 17, June 21, and Aug. 16.

Mental Health Awareness Night will be May 28, with counselors on hand, as well as sensory-friendly activities available.

“So many people are dealing with (mental health issues), and so many kids dealt with it through the pandemic,” Nutter said. “The team is welcoming kids and groups that might not be comfortable during traditional games.”

Old Standbys

On June 26, the TinCaps will celebrate Military Appreciation Night, with free tickets going to veterans, those on active duty, and their families.

“We love Military Appreciation Night,” Nutter said. “It’s one of the best nights that we do.”

Perennial favorites ZOOperstars! return July 9, while another signature act, BirdZerk!, will be at the stadium Sept. 3.

The organization will also celebrated their annual Star Wars Night on Aug. 19

And, of course, fans also flock to the ballpark for the nightly specials.

This season, Tuesday is Family Fest, featuring select $2 menu items. Wednesday is Paws and Claws, with discounted White Claw, and fans allowed to bring their dogs or cats to the ballpark.

“There’s nothing like seeing people walk in the concourse with their cat on a leash,” Nutter said.

Thirsty Thursday is back with $2 domestic beers, while fireworks will take place on Fridays and Saturdays beginning May 20, as well as on the Fourth of July and July 16 as the finale to the Three Rivers Festival.

Experience Enhancements

Fans might notice that some menu items have been tweaked, including the Asian food cart and International Wok to provide some fan-friendly items.

They’ve also upgraded the in-stadium internet network and point of sale technology.

“That will get people through the lines quicker,” Nutter said.

Parkview Field also received some cosmetic work this offseason.

“This place is looking as current and modern as ever,” Nutter said, pointing to fresh paint and improvements to group areas. “The people who didn’t get out last year because of COVID are going to see as big of a high-def videoboard as they’ve ever seen. The ribbon boards on the suite level are unreal, and we have a new sound system.”

Fans can see the upgrades firsthand with an open house Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Not-so-secret Ingredient

Even if someone isn’t really a baseball fan, they can still have fun at the park.

“There are a lot of reasons for people to come out,” Nutter said.

“Come out here and take a lap around the concourse. People talk about, ‘I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in years. I saw a former coworker.’ Like all that connectivity stuff, in some ways, our society is more connected than ever, and in other ways, we’re more isolated than we’ve ever been, including our family, because you’re on the device.”

There is no ticket price increase this season, with tickets starting at $7.