JULY 21: The Blue Jays will play “home” games at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park this year, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
JULY 20, 3:18pm: The Pirates issued a statement Monday confirming they’re in “active discussions” with MLB and the Blue Jays about Toronto playing in Pittsburgh.
1:00pm: The Orioles’ Camden Yards has emerged as a possible destination for the Blue Jays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports. General manager Ross Atkins said Monday (via Dan Shulman of ESPN) that “our focus is on getting into a major league facility.”
8:24am: The Jays have sent operations people to Buffalo to assess Sahlen Field, Scott Mitchell of TSN tweets. They’d need “about a week” to repair lighting and clubhouse issues, according to Mitchell.
JULY 19: After the Canadian government denied approval for the Blue Jays to play games in Toronto this season, the Jays still don’t know where they still be playing just 10 days removed from their first scheduled “home” game, hosting the Nationals on July 29.
To this end, a number of different options are being explored, such as another Major League venue — Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Jays have “looked into playing select home games at PNC Park in 2020.” As noted by Mackey in a follow-up tweet, the Blue Jays and Pirates only share seven conflicting dates for home games, with six of those coming after September 7.
If nothing else, a temporary move to Pittsburgh would give the Jays some time to spend the next six weeks getting another stadium up to Major League standards. For instance, there has been some hint that Buffalo’s Sahlen Field (home of the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate) could undergo the clubhouse, lighting and overall infrastructure upgrades necessary to host MLB games, though nothing has been finalized on that front.
Talking to reporters (including Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi) yesterday, Blue Jays president/CEO Mark Shapiro was “confident that Buffalo is a viable alternative,” even while noting that a move to Sahlen Field is “not a done deal.” By comparison, the Jays’ Spring Training facility in Dunedin, Florida is “100 per cent seamless right now and ready to go….but from a player-health standpoint has some challenges,” given Florida’s COVID-19 spike.
Looking at the most recent coronavirus data, Pennsylvania is doing relatively well in managing its COVID-19 cases, though its most severely-hit region is Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located. Areas with large population centers will naturally have bigger COVID numbers than less densely-populated areas, of course, though it underscores the difficulty faced by the Jays since all adequate MLB-level facilities in major cities.
If the Jays are discussing a possible timeshare with the Pirates, it stands to reason they’re exploring arrangements with other teams as well. Shapiro mentioned “other alternatives” besides Buffalo and Dunedin that were under consideration, and right-hander Anthony Bass told the Associated Press and other media that GM Ross Atkins prioritized finding a Major League stadium after discussions with players.
“I just said, ’Look, we want to play in a major league ballpark. We feel that’s the best opportunity for us,’ and he agreed and said, ’I listened to you guys loud and clear and that’s what we’re going to do for you because that’s what the team wants,’ “ Bass said.
i asked this question in the chat, but i wonder if Buffalo actually would provide more of a homefield advantage to this current team then Toronto would. lots of young guys who spent time there and many of the vets are new additions who arent used to TOR’s normal home park. factor in the lack of fans being lessened by the fact that Buffalo presumably has less capacity and therefore the lack of fans may have a smaller effect.
Victor, what’s your vector? What’s your vector, Victor?
There seems to be a problem in the cockpit.
What is it?
It’s the place at the front of the plane.
That’s not important right now
Need another vector, Victor!
I picked the wrong week to give up quaaludes.
And don’t call me Shirley!
Hey, YOU try dragging Lanier and Walton up and down the court for 48 minutes!
Bring in the mail, let the cat out and leave a note for the milk man, NO MORE CHEESE!!!!
Alright boys, let’s take some pictures.
Do you have clearance, Clarence?
Thing is, most of their top players had 2 dozen home games in Buffalo tops. Guerrero, Bichette, and Biggio played very little in AAA and half of those were road games.
oh yeah, its not like any where there for that long. but those. guys too played there last year even, so there’s probably still some level of familiarity with those guys.
They won’t play in Buffalo.
A number of players have made it clear to the Jay’s GM they will only play in a MLB park for the regular season and if not would seriously consider opting out of the 2020 season entirely.
…and Leon is getting larger!
Aside from Buffalo, couldn’t they use the stadium where the New Hampshire River Cats play since there’s no minor league season?
Has the same issues as Buffalo. Likely not as up to snuff with clubhouses, video, training areas, etc. Plus the players just want to be in a big league ballpark.
At least one report that I read suggested that even the lighting in Buffalo was not quite up to MLB standards.
Pittsburgh is one of those rare triple-A teams with an MLB-caliber stadium
Hey-o! I’ll be here all week, tip your server
Hey, maybe I will get to see (watch on tv now) a World Series before I die in my Home Town baseball park. But, unfortunately it won’t be the Pittsburgh Pirates… It could be the Toronto Blue Jay’s. Unfortunately, the Pirates Owner isn’t willing to invest to the level needed to field a championship caliber Team.
Heard a report on the radio that stated none of the minor league parks have lighting systems that are up to major league standards. Buffalo and Louisville would seems like obvious choices but I guess not.
Where Bill’s play in Buffalo. A NFL Team that plays in a Dome but no MLB Team. Orlando. Share with Radiers or Titans or Panthers or Patriots or Jaguars or Packers,
Football stadiums aren’t convertible anymore. Other than Oakland and that’s barely a stadium. The Superdome in New Orleans used to be convertible for baseball but I think when it was renovated, that changed.
Could they play in Globe Life Park the former stadium of the Texas Rangers if the stadium is intact? I’m not sure, though. But they are looking for a place to play.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
It’s been reconfigured for XFL and Hugh school football. It’s a no go
Same issue with Turner Field, the Braves old stadium
With the Jays schedule being against the East teams I think they want to keep the team closer to their rival teams. However, not a bad idea.
Location, location, location. They’ll be playing the Al East and NL East.
Orlando is best Choice. Don’t the Dolphins and Marlins play in same Dome?
Orlando doesn’t have an MLB caliber stadium.
Florida is a huge COVID hot spot. If it wasn’t, likely we would have the Dunedin Blue Jays.
The Dolphins and Marlins play in the Miami area, and haven’t been in the same stadium since 2011.
Cracker Jack Stadium the Rays have played Home Games at before. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk01GRiWrBAcBZRQUDKjRnHQr-tvvrA%3A1595374167852&ei=V3oXX9y6M5O4tAbPgrSoCQ&q=Cracker+Jack+stadium+orlando&oq=Cracker+Jack+stadium+orlando&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIFCCEQoAEyBQghEKABOgQIABBHOgsILhDHARCvARCTAjoGCAAQFhAeOggIABAWEAoQHjoICCEQFhAdEB46BwghEAoQoAFQ5ZwBWM-uAWCQsQFoAHACeACAAZwBiAGLB5IBAzIuNpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwicwrv0v9_qAhUTHM0KHU8BDZUQ4dUDCAs&uact=5
Many States are that have MLB Teams.
They are scheduled to play STL/CHW game at the Field of Dreams field in Iowa later on. Could they not retrofit something for it? They would be safe out there, but somewhat remote. Would be incredible to see more than 1 game played on that field (I know it’s not “the field” used in the movie, but still).
They want to have the teams stay in their division/region though. Iowa isn’t very close to any of the other East teams
it is the same field used in the movie. I’ve been there and its pretty cool
How about Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford?
It’s been voted the best park in the minor leagues the last two years.
If you’ve never been, it’s the only minor league ballpark with a fully functioning scoreboard along the facade of the upper deck.
It’s phenomenal – as well it should be, given that it cost the taxpayers 70 million…
Sounds like a place cops would hold a convention
Nice line!
That looks like an awesome park. And it is near the East teams they will be playing. You win the thread.
I rather it be the Krispy Kreme one.
That would probably be in or around the original Krispy Kreme in Greensboro, NC.
I used to go to ball games in Greensboro all the time…The Hornets
Play in Pburgh until the last 13 games and then move to Dunkin Donuts field. After all, that is a baker’s dozen.
KK: The Archway Cookies of donuts.
Not even being sarcastic when I say this, but what if the Jays play in Globe Life Park? It is still compatible for baseball. Though the heat might be a concern since they play in 73 degrees every home game.
I’m sure the preferences to play somewhere close to the East Coast to minimize travel. That’s the whole point of how the schedule is set up for this year..
I still ask how flying from Boston to Florida is ‘less travel’? It would have made a lot more sense for schedule makers to draw circles around areas and keep teams within 300 miles if possible. Yanks and Mets and Sox should maybe be playing the Pirates, Reds and Indians instead of the Rays, Braves and Marlins.
Airports and airplanes are going to be cesspools once kids start heading back and forth to colleges, businesses flying, general public taking vacations, etc.
The problem with that is once you get down South there’s a lot more distance between the teams. Who would you propose teams like the Marlins and Ray’ s play other then each other and the Braves?
It also would make the ‘season’ more of a farce by having teams within a division playing a completely different schedule.
Rangers, Astros, Rays, Braves, Marlins for a division.
2 problems with that idea – 1) Texas is one of the worst hit states right now for COVID-19; and 2) Farther travel than anybody would like, considering that they want to stay in the eastern time zone along with the rest of the 9 “East division” teams.
Why not share the new one?
San Juan.
Puerto Rico is not up for debate
They could play at Turner field. That place is still intact.
Converted to football stadium for Georgia State. Besides, if Florida is a no go because of COVID, I doubt Georgia is making the short list.
How is it possible that the Jays and MLB would not have a contingency for this and just pivot immediately? Clown Shoes.
Better yet… why not just plan for it and not even have summer camp in Toronto? A pretty easy assumption.
Better yet, why didn’t Canada make a decision before allowing the team to fly back to Toronto to prepare for the season? They could have made the decision a couple weeks ago and the arrangements would have been made by now. Meanwhile international flights continue to come into Toronto and there’s a good chance they aren’t practicing a self quarantine upon arrival.
Exactly. The City and Province both said okay. Can you imagine the outcry in the US if a city and a state gave approval, and some Federal bureaucrat sitting in his well-appointed, tax-payer funded office in DC said, no, you can’t do that?
Canadians deserve better.
I wonder if the Jays could have a split home season. Play the home games in Pittsburgh up to Sept 7, then in (say) Tampa for the 13 remaining home games?
Or alternatively – switch the 13 remaining home games to the other team’s field (Yankee Stadium, for example) but give the Jays the home team advantages (batting in the bottom half of the inning, etc).
So how about instead of soaking the tax paying citizens of Buffalo $$$$$ for lighting during a pandemic you play DAY GAMES. Or just play all your games on the road. There is no difference and you could adjust the schedule where you play the Mets & Yanks,Orioles & Nats back to back to limit travel somewhat.
There’s a significant competitive disadvantage in playing 100% of your games on the road, including much more travel, vs stationing in one location for 50% of home games. That isn’t really fair.
I do wonder if they could work something out in say NYC where they play out of either Yankee Stadium or Citi Field based on whether the Yankees or Mets are also playing. Either that, or just pick a city/stadium to share, and on dates with conflicts, move the start time of the games, with a 1 pm start time for conflicting Jays games and a 7 pm start time for the other team’s game.
Is there a report that the Blue Jays want a stadium for free?
How about Camden Yards? Baltimore deserves a major league baseball team.
That was funny! And I’m an Orioles fan!
Right. When your “star” player is Renato Nunes. Anyways Go O’s
What’s the status of RFK. it’s not supposed to be torn down down until next year. Then both teams from Canada could play in DC.
I would really have to think that Buffalo’s stadium is nicer than RFK currently is.
What about using RFK Stadium in Washington (and maybe using Nationals Park when there isn’t a conflict with the Nationals schedule?) My understanding is that while it is scheduled to be demolished next year, it is still standing, and given that it was used as an MLB park as recently as about 10 years ago, it should be more than adequate as a temporary venue.
Excluding that, if the Jays decide they want to share an existing MLB venue with another team instead of using an alternate stadium, shouldn’t MLB accommodate them by reworking the schedule in such a way that 2 teams could share a stadium without conflicts? They already have to do this with Oakland and Raiders games, and have done it in the past with several previous multi-purpose stadiums. The NBA and NHL manage to share venues in several different cities. Why can the schedule not just be reworked to accomodate that? It’s even less problematic than sharing it across different sports just running baseball to baseball. The Jays are at enough of a disadvantage as is – MLB should accomodate them to share Citi Field or something.
I doubt RFK is an option. It hasn’t been used for MLB in years, probably doesn’t have the expected amenities, and I doubt a stadium scheduled for demolition has been maintained. They would likely have to completely overhaul the stadium – think plumbing, replacing the field completely, and spend millions … before they even get to sanitizing.
It took the Nationals serious negotiations just to be able to hold their games in DC this season. That wasn’t even a sure thing until the last week. Do you think DC is going to welcome in a new team?
They still play in Oakland coliseum!
The NBA and NHL share venues in several cities yes, but they play half the games that the MLB does in a regular year. This will be a much more intense schedule.
The Raiders and A’s overlapped for one month a season – basically two Raiders games.
This isn’t moving a Legion game around. This is a major undertaking in a ridiculously brief amount of time, especially in a time where all facilities have to be sanitized to current MLB specifications. Plus, they have to house 50-some people for 2-3 months. The logistics have to be intense.
The Pittsburgh plan is intriguing. And as for the seven conflicting dates…. day/night double headers featuring the different teams?
Do people realize that the Pittsburgh area is one of the WORST hotspots in the country right now? The last thing they need is team caravans flying in and out every three days.
Do MLB teams use public terminals or public transportation?
They don’t, but they aren’t isolating either, as is planned in the NBA and NHL tournament-style resumption or as the Blue Jays have at Rogers Center and the connected hotel during summer camp. They may use chartered flights and not interact with the public at airports, but they staying at their homes in their home cities and hotels when on the road where they will interact with family, hotel staffs, and possibly friends. The same is true of stadium staff and broadcasting crews, They are taking precautions including social distancing, mask-wearing, and disinfecting rooms, surfaces, etc. and limiting those who travel with the team, but that’s not the same thing as isolating all involved from the rest of the world. This probably can be managed, but it’s not easy and will be especially difficult in cities that have higher infection rates.
They are no different than any other team dealing with home and away issues and they are no different than the current travel schedule in and out of Toronto. Hot Covid zones are still flying into Toronto. The decision is ridiculous. It would make more sense if Toronto had Canada-only flights. They don’t.
Smokin’ Joe, you are missing the other side of this conversation. I’m talking about the residents who will be in the stadium (workers), hotels, caterers, delivery, restaurants, etc. And the team personnel will still be traveling through airports where residents work.
This shows the complete b.s. of this whole pandemic. Toronto and the government turns down MLB. But oddly Toronto is a hub city for the NHL.
People would be entering and leaving Toronto with baseballs plan. The NHL is staying there until their season is over. The situations are not the same.
Yea, some people don’t understand the nuances of each situation. Also shows the wisdom of the NHL. They know that Canada has taken this whole pandemic much more seriously than the US. Players have a much better chance to get through the season there than in the US.
I was going to make a joke yesterday about how the Blue Jays should play in Pittsburgh since PNC is the nicest ballpark without an MLB team. I thought it was funny, not prescient.
Allegheny escaped the “first wave” (inaccurate labeling, I am aware) so they are getting hit with theirs now but, when I have been to Pittsburgh lately, 95% of people have masks and there are a LOT of good hospitals in the area. The Jays could do worse if they have to play in the US.
Nicest ballpark period.
I had great tickets to watch the Jays play at PNC in June… and I’m sure this plan to play there all year is just to spite me personally!!
I’m still in the “anger” phase of coping with the loss of my trip.
I know how you feel, Dexxter. I had multi-city, multi-stadium trips thwarted by two different MLB strikes.
Never did get back to Detroit in time to see old Tigers Stadium.
My back yard is available.
But what about the two week quarantine for travelers?!?!?! Why isn’t baseball addressing this?
When the Rays and Marlins and all their traveling personnel arrive, why don’t they have to quarantine like everyone else?
Quarantine? When arriving in which state? Hawaii, yes. Canada to the USA, no. Domestic travel, not required
He is referring to New York quarantine. New York has exempted sports from it.
They don’t have to quarantine because they’re not flying commercial and they’re being tested every other day
So what about teams NOW who have positive tests? This is just crazy.
Players who test positive have to quarantine & can’t return until they have 2 negative tests
One would think that they would have had, at least, a mild backup plan. Player/safety aside, considering the setup of cameras for professional sports broadcasts, it will be an embarrassment for Rogers (a multi-billion dollar national cable company) if these games go live with the seismic spring training style camera work.
May as well cancel the season if the “camera work” isn’t up to your standards.
What a sassy comment. Thanks for the input
It was a very good comment from Super Joe.
Truth be told, the season should be cancelled, regardless of the sass
There are nice college fields. U of Texas, Round Rock, Texas, Shreveport, La., Globe Life in Dallas, Texas A & M, Baylor U., Where the college World Series is played in Obama, there are a lot of good places to play.
Home of the Dallas Cowboys yes.
The college world series is played in Obama. Lol That’s a really funny auto- correct !
OK… they need about to week to get the stadium ready? So they weren’t really prepared for the eventuality of not being permitted to play in Toronto? How poorly run is this franchise?
God, no wonder the sport’s in such pitiful shape.
Considering the international travel that continues in and out of Toronto, I’d reckon the Blue Jays felt they could travel in and out with the blessing of the Federal government. Local government signed off and Provincial government signed off. Also considering the Jays were allowed back in Toronto to play and workout up until now. This is on the government for dragging their heels and toying with the team’s plans.
This is on them for assuming things. The local government has no control over the border. They should prepared for all options.
And if they made the decision to stay in Dunedin or go elsewhere it would have caused a media storm, and then if the Canadian government gave approval there would have been a bigger problem.
Again, if you don’t allow the Jays in Toronto then stop allowing all international flights to Toronto. Hypocrisy from the Canadian gov’t.
Wild Bill … The US/Canada border has been closed to non-essential travel since March.
The decision was made 4 months ago, and has remained in effect continuously since then, with reassessments from both US and Canadian governments every 30 days.
There is no hypocrisy. There has been no heel-dragging.
What there has been, is a show of hubris by MLB, who just assumed they would be exempt from the rules.
Provincial & Municipal Gov’ts did not “sign off” on this; they have zero authority over international travel. What they said was that IF the Feds allowed MLB travel, they would allow play in Toronto.
However, as MLB is not an essential service, that allowance was never made … a decision supported by Ontario Premiere Ford.
Shutting down Pearson International isnt a reasonable extension of this case. It’s “essential” travel (often in 1 direction, once only, with quarantine) vs non-stop crossings with no quarantine, for entertainment purposes.
Apples and oranges.
I know you are unhappy with this development. Many are, but please don’t act surprised when the decision was made 4 months ago and agreed to on a monthly basis by both countries.
If anyone looks foolish here, its MLB and Jay’s ownership, not the governemnts in question.
If anyone looks foolish, its you and your comment. Your very first line should have been followed by this line:
why did the federal government allow them to return to Toronto in the first place?
Instead, you wrote a long diatribe of nonsense. Canada continues to allow international travel and you can check the flight arrivals if you like. I am fairly certain, no, I am very certain not all flights are essential travel.
It’s not that I am unhappy with the decision. Unlike you, I see the hypocrisy. The Blue Jays would have NEVER come home if this were the decision. They would have stayed in Dunedin.
OK I get your question.
The reason I didn’t ask it, is because (I thought) everyone knew the answer: they were allowed to enter and train because they were quarantined.
That’s the crux of this, Bill.
No quarantine, no travel.
Its a cut and dried policy.
And you still do not get it.
You do not allow the team to come back if they are not going to be allowed to play the season. They had settled in Dunedin. This cut and dried policy you speak of was not cut and dried as you say. Federal Government knew of this decision and should have made it known.
Yet you continue to perpetuate a false narrative I have already relayed to you with the current travel where there is zero proof people are quarantined prior to arrival in Toronto. Certain hotspots are still allowed travel into the city. Again, why are you ignoring basics here?
No quarantine, still travel because you can’t be proven wrong when you lie about it. The policy is being manipulated as we speak.
Yet no team personnel is going to quarantine for two weeks when traveling from city to city every 4 days. What could go wrong?
No, they weren’t prepared, because they had gotten permission from the city of Toronto and assumed they were good to go.
couldnt the jays work out a deal with say the yankees, boston. Baltimore or even a NL east team to share there stadium, if the la kings la chippers and la lakers all can why can they
Well, the Pirates dont need PNC, so I like this idea.
Neither do the Jays
Sounds like Pittsburgh would be a great option for the Jays. Give them time to upgrade the park in Buffalo for the few games they do have in conflict. Nothing about this year is ideal, so you look for your best options.
What bout smaller fields in some of the not so smaller cities like Charlotte Raleigh Winston-Salem Wilmington both North Carolina and Delaware Also what bout using college stadiums I am showing favoritism towards the state of North Carolina because there are many stadiums they can use
Camden Yards is GREAT news for Baltimore Bertha. She’ll be busy.
Since scheduled have already been announced, if they play in another MLB ballpark, how will they handle “home games” on the same date for both clubs? Maybe there wouldn’t be a conflict, I dunno.
Day-night doubleheaders, one would think.
Come to Indianapolis, we have one of the best minor league parks in the country…Downtown is clean and safe with a massive hotel connected to the park.
Where the Colts play and its a Dome and they don’t play at Home every Sunday in September.
He means victory stadium..not the football stadium. Minor league stadium in Indianapolis is awesome!
Obviously Buffalo is the best fit, as the Jays are very comfortable playing in a city that doesn’t need to worry about the disruption of a Stanley Cup parade.
Nutting would make his own team barnstorm if he thought letting another team play in his stadium would make him a few more bucks
Does home-field advantage even exist if you’re not playing in front of fans?
It can.
There’s something to being able to go home to your family every night in the home you set up with all your creature comforts. Every ballpark is different. Home outfielders know how the ball bounces off the wall. Pitchers know how the wind blows on windy days.
The Marlins played last season without fans in the stands and did better at home.
I’d like seeing the Jays play in Buffalo
TD PARK in Omaha is Major League ready
So is Cracker Jack Stadium Orlando.
Florida is not opinion. They could already play there.
But has been reported before just have to do something to move Fences at Cracker Jack Stadium for a Team.
They could play in their own minor league camp in Florida now if wanted.
Jays to Pittsburgh for the Pirates! Who wins this trade?
Curious, since people entering NY from Georgia, Florida, Texas, and a dozen more states have to quarantine for 14 days, how are the MLB teams in NY going to play teams from any of those states?
Why are you worried about NY? You’re about 4 months too late to that party.
They announced a exemption for sports teams
PLEASE LET THEM BE IN BUFFALO… one step closer to an expansion team
Wild Bill … The US/Canada border has been closed to non-essential travel since March.
The decision was made 4 months ago, and has remained in effect continuously since then, with reassessments from both US and Canadian governments every 30 days.
There is no hypocrisy. There has been no heel-dragging.
What there has been, is a show of hubris by MLB, who just assumed they would be exempt from the rules.
Provincial & Municipal Gov’ts did not “sign off” on this; they have zero authority over international travel. What they said was that IF the Feds allowed MLB travel, they would allow play in Toronto.
However, as MLB is not an essential service, that allowance was never made … a decision supported by Ontario Premiere Ford.
Shutting down Pearson International isnt a reasonable extension of this case. It’s “essential” travel (often in 1 direction, once only, with quarantine) vs non-stop crossings with no quarantine, for entertainment purposes.
Apples and oranges.
I know you are unhappy with this development. Many are, but please don’t act surprised when the decision was made 4 months ago and agreed to on a monthly basis by both countries.
If anyone looks foolish here, its MLB and Jay’s ownership, not the governemnts in question.
It’s hard to believe this has caused so much pant pooping.
Classic JDGOUT! Lib this, lib that!
There’s two Major League Baseball stadiums being unused in Atlanta and Texas. That’s where they should head. But, if they go to Pittsburgh it would make the pirates the 2nd best team in their own city.
As has been mentioned in this thread, both stadiums have been converted to football only.
The Canadian Government is weaker than Bo Bichette’s wrists! Let the boys play!
Nice try there. What’s up with Bichette’s wrists? Never said they were weak.
Lmao!
C’mon that’s Jimmertee! #scoutseyes
Hell, I don’t blame ’em! PNC is gorgeous!
This year I’m gonna call them The Pennsylvania Blue Jays.
That would actually be the second instance of the Pennsylvania Blue Jays. The Phillies unofficially changed their name to Blue Jays during WWII. It lasted for a few years, but nobody really liked it, so they never officially changed it.
I still feel like if they were going to go pa, they should have just used williamsport.
Why doesn’t the Blue Jays organization just spend the money and make that stadium MLB ready? It will only help their AAA club and I’m sure it could be some kind of tax write off.
Could be a number of things, ranging from amount of time to acquiring permits in-case they need road closures for workers. Buffalo’s stadium is next to a highway. Toronto has poured lots of money into their spring facility ever since Stroman’s knee injury when his stiletto stuck during PFPs.
What a total disrespect to the great City of Buffalo and their outstanding stadium. Buffalo supported the Blue Jays through AAA Bison team. I hope the City dumps Toronto and signs up with an American team. This city deserves an expansion team. The stadium was built to eventually expand into a major league stadium. Good riddance, Toronto.
So wanting to play in a major league stadium rather than a minor league facility is a disrespect to Buffalo? Time to take off your homer goggles, dude. Every other team in baseball would have made the same choice
Bad move. Blue Jay players will love PNC park and will not want to return to the Rogers Center next year.
Seriously, this is probably the best situation for the Blue Jays. No upgrades needed, and Pittsburgh is a nice city. Nothing normal about this year but this makes the best of a bad situation. I still liked the idea of them playing in Buffalo but I get it, it is a AAA stadium not an MLB stadium.
well hope no one bet in Vegas on the Jays
Let’s laugh together when the Blue Jays outdraw the Pirates attendance.
With no people in the stands?
Beautiful ballpark, this is going to be sweet. Play ball!
More stupidity from MLB.
I don’t get this one. The point of playing only in your division was for social distancing…but now an east team in a central park? Doesn’t track.
Does not matter that the Pirates are in the central. Blue Jays
I was thinking about this as well. They probably didn’t want to go to New York or Florida, but there’s still 5 other teams in the East that could’ve probably accommodated them. But maybe it’s all about scheduling issues and it would’ve been impossible in those parks.
Community Armerica Ballpark in KCK no T-Bones this year just Royals Minor League squad playing their their might be other Stadiums where a Independent Team plays in that might be available to.
Does Las Vegas have a ready-to-play field?
well.. thats one way to get Reese Mcguire back in Pittsburgh