Why Giants won’t see fans past right-field wall, might in McCovey Cove

The Giants will report to Oracle Park next week with optimism, but they also know they're a few false moves away from the season prematurely ending. MLB is counting on players, coaches and staffers to strictly adhere to new guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and all involved will get a nightly reminder of what's at stake.

As they take the field every game, the Giants will look around and see ... just about nobody.

Fans are banned from games, at least initially, and you won't find many involved with MLB who believe fans will attend any games this season, despite what some governors in slow-moving states might want you to believe. For the Giants, this means nearly 42,000 empty seats a night. It also means they'll have to shut down a popular feature that has allowed some fans to watch games for free.

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The Giants expect that they'll have to keep fans from watching from the portwalk behind the right-field wall this season. In the past, fans could walk up and try to watch up to three innings through the fence, but that area is expected to be closed off to keep fans from cramming in behind the fence and breaking social distancing rules.

There is, however, a way to get close to the game -- if you're particularly adventurous.

McCovey Cove is controlled by the city, and fans will be allowed to gather in kayaks there if they want as far as team officials know. It could be a fruitful season for anyone out there in the cove. Most balls that get hit into the arcade during batting practice are stopped by gloves or hands.