First impressions from players on the Orioles having no fans in Camden Yards today when they face the White Sox:
First baseman Chris Davis
On having no fans in the stands:
"I've told everybody I'm going to turn around after every inning and throw the ball in the stands. I think it is going to be different, but obviously the safety of the players and the fans for that matter, everybody that's involved, is most important. It's really unfortunate what's going on right now, but I think cooler heads have prevailed and I think we are doing the right thing."
On making history in such a strange way:
"It's sad that it's going to be on these terms. Usually when you are making history, you want to do it for a positive reason and for something you feel good about. For it to be for this, it's a little disappointing. But like I said I think we have everybody's best interests in mind. As much as we would like to be kind of a shot in the arm to this city, we have to understand kind of what's going on around and what the best thing is for everybody."
On his first reaction:
"I think we were all just kind of confused. With what's going on the last couple days, we understand our safety is most important and the safety of our families and of our fans. I think when you start thinking about what it would require for us to play games here, the amount of security, what it would take away from the city, you realize what's most important to us is that the city gets back on its feet and we don't want to do anything to distract or take away from that."
On any potential disadvantage of playing three home games at Tropicana Field:
"We are going to be wearing white uniforms, so it will be just like playing here," he joked. "No, I think you have to put that out of your mind and just focus on the game. Obviously we know we are going to be the home team in another team's stadium. It's what is best for us and what's best for the city right now and we just have to comply."
On jokes about the empty stadium today preparing the Orioles for "home games" At Tropicana Field:
"I've seen so many questions and comments on Twitter about that. I'm not going to go there."
Infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce
On playing in front of no one:
"It's going to feel like a spring training back-field game. We don't have a choice. We have to go out there and play. No matter what the circumstances are, we've got to find a way to deal with it."
On his reaction going to Tampa (near where he grew up in Lakeland) for home games:
"I get to go home, so that's good for me," he joked. "But it kind of stinks to take away from home games because home team's (advantage) is so crucial and big, especially for division games. To lose home games is definitely going to hurt a little bit."
On whether his friends and family from Lakeland are going to populate Tropicana Field:
"There are going to be a lot of them. They are kind of pumped it's a home game. But they are probably the only ones."
Closer Zach Britton
On his overall thoughts about this game:
"I think we are excited to play. Any time you can get your mind off what's going on out there, maybe just for a couple hours, maybe it helps you for a little bit. It'll be different. We've had some games in spring training like this. B games where there's no one allowed in the stands, I think me and (Kevin) Gausman actually pitched in that game (this spring). It's just going to be different. It's just unfortunate this is the way it's got to be, but there are more important things going on outside in the city that needed the attention of the law enforcement. We understand that."
On his initial reaction to the scheduling decisions:
"We were surprised. Maybe not that we were playing the game with the curfew and everything, but that there weren't going to be anybody allowed in the stadium. I think it is unfortunate for the people that want to come out and support us. But like I said, there's more important things, fan safety is important. You saw what happened Saturday (with angry protesters gathered outside of Camden Yards and a lockdown inside the stadium). You don't want that to happen again. I think this is for the best. Major League Baseball and the team made a good decision on it."