CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Like many businesses that have suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic, even local sports franchises have been hurting.
The Corpus Christi Hooks have had to cancel their entire 2020 baseball season, resorting to a loss in complete sales.
"We went from 100% of our sales to as close to zero as you can get," said director of marketing, JD Davis.
With no money coming in, the Hooks had to resort to layoffs and furloughs. Although they are doing their best to get employees back at the ballpark, the team had to also restructure the way they do business.
"We don't really see ourselves as just a sports entity, you know just a baseball team," Davis said. "We're always trying to do things that are out of the box and new and fun and exciting."
With an empty ballpark not in use, the Hooks decided to hold free movie nights in October at Whataburger Field.
"Being able to have a facility that's outdoors you can spread people out, keep people separate and you can kind of have families in their own little groups and areas," said Davis.
Moving closer to the holidays, the Hooks hope businesses will hold holiday-movie parties for their employees at the ballpark.
And for the first time, Whataburger Field will have a concert in December.
"We're part of a 3-stadium tour stop for the country band Midland."
The concert will be abiding by COVID-19 guidelines, with a pod-style layout for concert-goers. The capacity will be at 3,500 which is less than 25% for Whataburger Field.
There will be temperature and waiver checks at the gate, and masks must be worn at all times when not in reserved pods.
As for the season ahead in 2021, Davis said the team is hoping and preparing for a full schedule, but they are unsure of what the future looks like and must wait for Major League Baseball to make the call.