And then there is the case of the Blue Jays to consider

[yarnivek1972]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-get-work-toronto-summer-camp-safety-measures-place/

 

 

Here we are, theoretically two weeks away from Opening Day. The Blue Jays aren’t yet certain where they will play their home games. For now, they have been granted a special exemption from the Canadian government to work out at Rogers Centre. It is not yet certain if the Canadian government will let their opponents in the country. Let me repeat that: The Canadian government has not yet approved MLB teams to travel into Canada to play games at Rogers Centre.

 

The Jays are working on a few back up options. Choice one is Dunedin, their spring training headquarters. However, as I am sure most are aware Florida is one of the outbreak epicenters right now, tallying better than 50,000 new COVID cases in the last 7 days. To say that relocating there would be less than ideal is a vast understatement. The governor of Florida has (so far) supported MLB’s plans, but that could change if the outbreak surges even more. That, of course, would affect the Rays and Marlins as well. By the way, just in case anyone forgot, it’s hot in Florida in August. The Rays and Marlins have roofs on their stadiums. There is no roof in Dunedin.

 

That leads me to back up plan number two: Buffalo, New York. That’s where the Jays AAA affiliate has been. Among the downsides for that location is that the Jays don’t own the stadium. If the Jays play their home games in Toronto, they were planning to use it as their ATS. That would present problems of it’s own of course. But, if the Jays use Buffalo as their primary home, they have to have their ATS somewhere else. Most likely at the stadium of some other team’s AAA affiliate (Rochester possibly). Pretty sure the Red Wings won’t let them do that for free.

 

The words “it’s a hot mess” don’t even begin to describe this situation.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I expected some hot messes like this. I wonder if another AL or NL East team might offer to share their venue. There would be minimum scheduling conflicts that way, though game times would have to be adjusted.

[yarnivek1972]

I expected some hot messes like this. I wonder if another AL or NL East team might offer to share their venue. There would be minimum scheduling conflicts that way, though game times would have to be adjusted.

That’s a possibility I suppose. If it’s being considered, it’s being done way under the radar. The Rays would make the most sense because then the Jays could use Dunedin as their ATS.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

That’s a possibility I suppose. If it’s being considered, it’s being done way under the radar. The Rays would make the most sense because then the Jays could use Dunedin as their ATS.

Going to Florida would scare the heck out of me, but a team with a tight clubhouse and strong leadership should hold each other accountable and be ok

[puckstopper1]

 

Based on death rates, Florida is safer than most of the states. (Even safer than MN)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109011/coronavirus-covid19-death-rates-us-by-state/

 

Unfortunately death rates aren't a factor in their decision - infection rates are...

[Shaitan]

I wonder if issues like this will make it harder for Montreal to eventually get a team again (or other non-USA expansion). It highlights one of many challenges.

[Shaitan]

 

Based on death rates, Florida is safer than most of the states. (Even safer than MN)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109011/coronavirus-covid19-death-rates-us-by-state/

 

While off topic from the home of the Blue Jays, COVID-19 has many permanent damages besides death.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The Blue Jays open the season on the road; in other words, in the U.S.

 

And they have just scheduled two scrimmages in Boston before the season starts.

 

What are the chances they play all their games on the road this season?

 

[yarnivek1972]

The Blue Jays open the season on the road; in other words, in the U.S.

 

And they have just scheduled two scrimmages in Boston before the season starts.

 

What are the chances they play all their games on the road this season?

 

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1281604116918292482

 

The chances that they play 0 games in Canada is probably 80%.

 

The chances that they don’t have a field that they call home is less than 10%. That scenario would involve stadium sharing. But I think Dunedin or Buffalo are far more likely than that.

[yarnivek1972]

Just an update, the Canadian Government is expected to make their decision as to whether MLB teams will be allowed to enter Canada without entering a two week quarrantine this week.

 

If I were a betting man, I’d say the odds of them allowing it are less than 10%. It also appears that Buffalo is the more likely replacement home. Meaning the Jays will have to borrow some lights from Batman to adequately light the field for TV broadcast.

 

 

https://247sports.com/Article/Toronto-Blue-Jays-seek-alternate-option-for-home-games-including-Buffalo-New-York-and-Florida-149108132/

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I saw a poll somewhere that 80% of Canadians want the U.S.-Canada border closed, with no Americans coming in. So, yeah.

[nicksaviking]

While I would really like to see some baseball again, I can't help but see the Canadian government as the only grown-up in the room at the moment. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

While I would really like to see some baseball again, I can't help but see the Canadian government as the only grown-up in the room at the moment.

 

Strongly disagree. Anyway, a couple months ago, I thought it possible that Target Field might host two home teams (that the California teams might be forced to go on the road, like what seems likely to happen with Toronto). The schedules could have been made to accommodate that, I bet.

[mikelink45]

Let us think in a bigger picture.  The owners and players cannot have civil give and take in the middle of a crisis so we have a bastardized season that has the players upset and no one satisfied except Manfred and his hardliners.  Now we have a team with a crisis.  Baseball wants to be international - then step forward collectively and solve this problem.  Don't try to make a profit off someone else's problem.  Offer a place to play.  Be reasonable.  Try to show that  you are a league and not a bunch of individual a-holes. 

[yarnivek1972]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29476222/blue-jays-closer-home-games-approved-canada-ok-needed

 

 

The city of Toronto and the province of Ontario have given their approval. Still waiting on a decision from the Canadian federal government.

[yarnivek1972]

Jays still waiting to hear.

 

You know, this story is kinda presenting the news that only 5 players tested positive in the past week as good news. I realize players are still out in the community to varying degrees when they aren’t on the field. But I can’t imagine they are having much contact with anyone but each other. So, IMO that 5 tested positive while living very close to an isolated existence is concerning to me.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/mlb-monitoring-numbers-improve-feds-consider-blue-jays-plan-toronto/

[lecroy24fan]

And Canada has said no. 

 

Hello Buffalo Blue Jays!

[Danchat]

Buffalo makes the most sense, I think, since it's not going to be scorching there, and I think upper state New York isn't surging with the virus as much as Florida.... I think?

[lecroy24fan]

But according to a few on Twitter the facilities in Buffalo are terrible.

[Squirrel]

I wonder if they could play all their games in their opponents' stadiums, with home field advantage when they are supposed to be the home team. That would be really odd, though.

[yarnivek1972]

But according to a few on Twitter the facilities in Buffalo are terrible.

The field is fine. The lighting is insufficient for TV however.

[Squirrel]

 

The field is fine. The lighting is insufficient for TV however.

The field might be fine but the facilities might not be adequate. We'll see what they do.

[rdehring]

Well, its official, Canada has said no to teams entering Canada without going thru the 14 day quarantine. State reason being that several teams will be coming from areas of U.S. that are current COVID hot spots. Assume they are talking about Florida (Tampa and Miami).

 

Article in Strib speculated they would be playing in Buffalo. Also speculation that their taxi squad training site could be in Rochester. I know lights have been a problem talked about here and elsewhere. Could they play only day games? Or I don't suppose it would take too long to bring in temporary lights until they could install better permanent lighting.

[Squirrel]

Well, its official, Canada has said no to teams entering Canada without going thru the 14 day quarantine. State reason being that several teams will be coming from areas of U.S. that are current COVID hot spots. Assume they are talking about Florida (Tampa and Miami).

 

Article in Strib speculated they would be playing in Buffalo. Also speculation that their taxi squad training site could be in Rochester. I know lights have been a problem talked about here and elsewhere. Could they play only day games? Or I don't suppose it would take too long to bring in temporary lights until they could install better permanent lighting.

In Rochester? Would they be using the Red Wings’ facility?

[yarnivek1972]

In Rochester? Would they be using the Red Wings’ facility?

Presumably. Which should be a nice way for the Red Wings to make a little cash anyway with the season cancelled.

[rdehring]

 

In Rochester? Would they be using the Red Wings’ facility?

Yes, their practice squad MAY be headquartered at Frontier Field seeing Rochester is only an hour or so drive from Buffalo.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Blue Jays' plan to play in Pittsburgh suddenly strikes out

 

Still no home. 

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

There are literally hundreds of empty minor league stadiums and plenty of nice AAA ballparks out there that would work. Why not play in a place like Indianapolis or Rochester? Fans won't be there anyways.

[Shaitan]

 

There are literally hundreds of empty minor league stadiums and plenty of nice AAA ballparks out there that would work. Why not play in a place like Indianapolis or Rochester? Fans won't be there anyways.

 

Clubhouse quality is probably a bigger factor than ever this year, since players are limited in what they do outside of the stadium.

 

If you were stuck somewhere for 60 days, would you want a 5-star hotel or a 3-star hotel?