Giants' program to display cutout images of fans in stands

The San Francisco Giants are doing their part to ensure their fans' presence will be felt when baseball returns next month -- at least in print form.

In a letter sent to season-ticket holders Thursday, the Giants announced that games at Oracle Park will be played without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the team will allow season-ticket holders to send in an image of themselves to be placed onto a cutout that will be displayed in the stands during home games.

Calling it the Giants Fan Cutout Program, the team said the cutouts will be an opportunity for fans to "be at Oracle Park even when you're home watching the game."

The cutouts will be made of weatherproof material and will be placed as close to the season-ticket holders' seats as possible, according to the Giants. For a $99 fee, the team is also giving the option for non-season-ticket holders to have their cutout images displayed in the stands.

MLB announced earlier this week that it will play a 60-game regular season that is expected to begin July 23 or July 24 and last until late September. Clubs may permit fans to attend games with the approval of MLB and relevant local authorities; no approval has been given yet.

In their letter, the Giants cited "the continued health risks related to the pandemic" as the reason their games will be played without fans in attendance.