Every year Major League Baseball, the oldest professional sports league in North America, has held an exhibition game between the National and American League. Known as the MLB All-Star Game, the players participating are selected by fans. The game is played for the love of baseball and its fans. Since the All-Star Game’s inauguration in 1933, it has only been skipped twice. In 1945 because of WWII and because of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 All-Star game was canceled.

Baseball players and fans were beyond ecstatic to have the chance to carry out a 2021 MLB All-Star Game. What should have been a light hearted, fun experience for all involved was dampened by unfortunate circumstances. The game was originally slated to be played at Truist Park near Atlanta, Georgia. Due to controversial voting legislatures in Georgia, the MLB announced that the game would be relocated to Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Now that the teams representing the National and American Leagues had been finalized by fans, and the location of the event was set, a game honoring America’s pastime was much anticipated.

Then fear struck the town of Denver when a housekeeper at the Maven Hotel reported seeing weapons in a room she was cleaning. The hotel is only two blocks away from Coors Field. Police immediately began an investigation whereupon they found a large cache of heavy duty weapons. Police also learned that Ricardo Rodriguez, one of 4 individuals involved and the supposed ringleader, had requested to extend his stay at the hotel and asked for an additional room with a balcony. All 4 individuals were arrested. The arrest report stated, “It should be noted that this information was concerning to officers due to the location of the rifle, ballistic vest, duty belt and requesting a room with a balcony coupled with the fact that the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game events happening in the immediate area of the hotel. There is a propensity for mass casualty incidents in scenarios such as the above where many people are gathered together in a small area for a single event.”

Though the FBI said that the investigation revealed that there was not any known threat to the game or the community, all authorities agreed that there would be no chances taken. Multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies worked together to protect the thousands of people flocking to Denver for the All-Star Game. Part of the resources used comes from drones operated by Denver Health Paramedics (DHP).

Lt. Jake McCaig, of DHP, said that paramedics, police, and FBI are as ready as they could be for the game. Inside of Coors Field will be 10 identifiable paramedics along with plenty of uniformed and undercover police officers. There will also be 20 ambulances stationed nearby, officers throughout the town, and call centers set up to help coordinate efforts. But one of the best tools will be the drones that DHP has been granted special permission to use over crowds.

The drone is equipped with an infrared camera that can identify anyone carrying a suspicious item that could be a weapon. The drone will also allow DHP to quickly locate anyone who may need help and divert the appropriate resources that way. But as Lt. McCraig said, “It’s mostly for things like situational awareness. Trying to pick out somebody in a large crowd if we’re trying to get to them to render aid.”

Luckily the game went on without a hitch on Tuesday, July, 13. Nearly 8.7 million people watched the game on T.V. or in the stands. The American League defeated the National League 5-2 for the eighth consecutive time. Every single person in Denver for the game and the festivities surrounding it were kept safe. Thanks to a housekeeper’s proactive tip, the vigilance of law and emergency agencies, and the availability of drone technology, the All-Star Game was a huge success.

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