The Toronto Blue Jays won't be allowed to play regular season games at Rogers Centre or anywhere else in Canada. The Canadian government said no to the proposal, even though the city and the province had approved the request.
The Blue Jays are looking into Sahlen Field in Buffalo or TD Stadium in Dunedin, Florida for the 30 games of the regular season. While the Blue Jays season starts on Friday, the home season doesn't start until July 29. The lights are a major issue in Buffalo. The high numbers of COVID-19 are a major issue in Florida.
The Canadian government had approved for the Blue Jays to train at Rogers Centre; that model was similar to the hub concept for the NHL. Speculation for the denial for the regular season was the back-and-forth travel from some key hot spots in the United States, especially Miami and the Tampa Bay area.
The Blue Jays had reportedly made improvements to the plan, shifting to have both teams in the hotel within the confines of Rogers Centre.
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"Unlike preseason training, regular-season games would require repeated cross-border travel of Blue Jays players and staff, as well as opponent teams into and out of Canada," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said. "Of particular concern, the Toronto Blue Jays would be required to play in locations where the risk of virus transmission remains high.
"Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB regular-season play would not adequately protect Canadians' health and safety. As a result, Canada will not be issuing a National Interest Exemption for the MLB's regular season at this time.''
For the first time since 1989, Blue Jays home games will be subject to weather delays and cancellations. The team will also have to scramble to find "home" housing if the team ends up in Buffalo. There may be housing for the team and its opponent in Dunedin.
There was speculation earlier this week that the Washington Nationals would also be in a similar predicament. However, the Nationals will play their home games at Nationals Park. The Blue Jays will be there July 27-28 after playing exhibition games in Boston and a 3-game series in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Buffalo is the preferred choice for the Blue Jays with Dunedin a reluctant Plan B.
The Canadian government decision will likely impact the MLS home games for Toronto FC, Montréal Impact, and the Vancouver Whitecaps once the MLS tournament in Orlando has concluded.
We will have more on this for our Toronto Blue Jays preview this coming week.
Note: The Toronto exhibition games at Fenway Park will be on Rogers Sportsnet at 7 pm Eastern on Tuesday and Wednesday. MLB Network will carry both games on a tape delay basis at 7 am Wednesday and 11 pm Wednesday, respectively. The NESN feed will almost certainly be used.
photo credit: me
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