TORONTO– The Toronto Blue Jays are speaking to the Pittsburgh Pirates about sharing their major league ballpark this season after Canadas federal government disallowed them from playing in their home arena in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic
Pirates president Travis Williams confirmed the talks and sounded all set to invite the Blue Jays.
” In an effort to assist in the return of the video game we all love, we continue to have active discussions with Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays company concerning the possibility of hosting home video games for heaven Jays at PNC Park this season,” Williams said in a declaration Monday.
” This will be a significant challenge for our personnel, but leaning in to help others is what Pittsburghers do best. If we are able to safely accommodate, not only will it bring extra worldwide attention to our city, it will likewise bring with it jobs and income for regional hotels, dining establishments and other organizations that will support heaven Jays organization as well as additional visiting groups.”.
1 RelatedBlue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he was pleased to read what the Pirates said.
” Thats encouraging that they feel that way about us coming,” he stated. “Going to Pittsburgh, thats a lovely ballpark. I already brought 10 Roberto Clemente T-shirts that I brought with me for some factor.”.
The Pirates are led by previous Blue Jays executives Ben Cherington and Steve Sanders.
Blue Jays general supervisor Ross Atkins said earlier Monday that his group has more than 5 contingency strategies and was in talks with other teams. He declined to name them.
” We are focused on entering into a significant league facility,” Atkins stated.
Canada rejected the Blue Jays demand to play at Rogers Centre since the regular-season schedule would need regular travel back and forth from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging.
Atkins stated if the Blue Jays cant discover a big league park, their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, New York, would be their more than likely website for home video games.
But based upon what the gamers desire and the partnership they are getting from other groups and Major League Baseball, Atkins stated the Blue Jays are focused on big league parks, as long as they can be safe. He said health and safety is the concern, so the ability to be socially remote without comprising other teams ability to maintain socially distance is very important.
Toronto begins the season at Tampa Bay Rays on Friday and is set up to play its first house video game on July 29 versus defending champ Washington Nationals.
Detroit Tigers general supervisor Al Avila stated MLB and heaven Jays have not reached out to the Tigers about sharing Comerica Park.
” I have a great idea where theyre going to go, but I cant state,” Avila stated.
The group had been thinking about playing house games at its training center in Dunedin, Florida, which is amongst the states that are virus locations, or Sahlen Field in Buffalo, just across the Niagara River from Canada.
Gamers have told management they desire to remain in a big league park.
Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro said Saturday that player health is a concern in Florida. He stated the team has actually invested more time examining Buffalo in recent days however stated the stadium there has numerous infrastructure obstacles.
MLB said if the Blue Jays dip into a minors park, the league would set up the necessary video review facilities but may not be able to set up TrackMan, a radar system that analyzes pitch motion.
Atkins stated if the Blue Jays wind up in Buffalo, their alternative training website for additional gamers would remain in Rochester, New York.
