BREAKING: @MacLeodLisa tells @TSN1200: The Blue Jays have been given government clearance to play home games at Rogers Centre this summer. But she cautions, "If the rules are not followed, we will rescind the plan."
It looks like the Blue Jays will be allowed to play their home games at Rogers Centre
Photo credit: Wikimedia commons
The biggest question facing the Blue Jays at Summer Camp has been answered. The team will be allowed to play their home games at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
There was quite a bit of controversy last week surrounding the Blue Jays and where they would shack up when Travis Shaw tweeted frustration with the intense quarantine regulations and stiff penalties associated with playing in Toronto.
But, ultimately, Shaw came out a few days later and apologized for his comments, making it very clear that the team was better off in Toronto than they would be in Dunedin, which appeared to be the most realistic fall-back net.
Of course, it’s also important to mention that we still haven’t heard from Canada’s federal government about clearance for the Blue Jays to play at home and about clearance for their American opponents to enter the country. Lisa MacLeod, who was the source of this report, represents Ontario’s provincial government. The feds still need to give this thing the thumbs up.
The tricky part in this situation isn’t necessarily the Blue Jays, who will be staying at the hotel attached to the stadium and have surely been briefed on how important it is to follow quarantine measures. The difficulty will be the team’s opponents who will be coming in from the United States, and, in some instances like the Rays and Marlins, from major COVID hotbeds.
Getting the Blue Jays to follow a strict quarantine is one thing, but the hundreds of other players who will coming in and out throughout the season buying-in is another.
#BlueJays say at this point a final decision has not been made on where they will play their home games, despite @MacLeodLisa saying they have been given clearance. I’m not saying it’s not happening, but I’d sit tight on this one for a bit.
Again, though, we’ll wait for an official report from the organization before saying it’s for sure.
Breaking News
- Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt has excelled as a high-leverage reliever in the postseason
- Blue Jays GDB – World Series Game 7: Max Scherzer takes the mound as Jays hunt their third title
- World Series Game 6 lessons: Key adjustments the Blue Jays need to make for Game 7
- Blue Jays: Jack Morris and Paul Molitor will throw first pitch in Game 7 of World Series
- World Series: An overview of the Blue Jays’ pitching plan for Game 7