TORONTO – As the Toronto Blue Jays awaited word on Thursday from the Public Health Agency of Canada regarding MLB’s restart plan, they began exploring the possibility of hosting their training camp and regular-season home games in nearby Buffalo, N.Y.
There was no formal word on when the federal government might make a decision, although given that the province must also have its say, and the July 1 report date for players looms, the clock is ticking louder and louder.
In an email, the PHAC said it is “currently assessing” baseball’s plan, and noted that “MLB requires the formal support of provincial public health authorities in which the MLB (sic) intends to operate.”
That support isn’t there just yet, although the concept appears to have the support of Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
“As we continue the safe and gradual reopening of our economy, our government is working closely with professional sport teams and organizations, as well as local and federal levels of government and our public health experts on what a safe return to play looks like,” she said in a statement sent to Sportsnet.
“If provided the opportunity by the federal government and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, I’m committed to working with the Toronto Blue Jays and other major league teams to play baseball here at home and abroad.”
The primary hurdle is convincing health officials that there’s minimal risk of importing COVID-19 across the border.
The level of concern was underlined during Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s daily briefing, when he reacted negatively after being asked about calls from the tourism industry to consider loosening border restrictions, currently in place through July 21.
Ford pointed to the sharp rise of new COVID-19 cases in Florida, Arizona, Texas and California and said, “That’s what happens when you’re reckless, you’re careless and you let your guard down.”
“I don’t want to be those states,” the premier added later. “I want to protect the people here in Ontario and I just think we’re opening it up too early if the decision is made on July 21. I just don’t think we’re ready for people south of the border. Believe me, I love the Americans. Make no mistake about it. But not when their COVID cases are spiking right now. I’ve got to protect the people of Ontario. Business is still going back-and-forth, the goods are going back-and-forth. That’s most important.”
The Blue Jays and visiting MLB teams, of course, are a business, one seeking an exemption letter similar to the one granted to the NHL, allowing it to host hub cities in the country and circumvent the 14-day quarantine period for arriving travellers.
The details of baseball’s plan are unknown, although the Rogers Centre has a hotel attached to the dome that would allow visiting clubs to go directly from the airport to their rooms and remain in a relatively isolated bubble.
“Like other countries, Canada is working on plans for a measured resumption of international professional sports,” the PHAC said in its email. “The resumption of activities in Canada must be undertaken in adherence to Canada’s plan to mitigate the importation and spread of COVID-19.”
Blue Jays players, meanwhile, remain in limbo, unsure where they’re going next week and where they need to set up shop during the regular season slated to begin July 23/24.
As of Thursday morning, players were under the impression that there were three scenarios in play for camp and the season: Toronto/Toronto; Dunedin/Toronto; and Dunedin/Dunedin.
But at some point Thursday, the Blue Jays began looking into whether Sahlen Field in Buffalo — which was being targeted as the Alternative Training Site for players left off the active roster — could also be an option.
That isn’t as simple as it sounds since the Bisons have essentially been in shutdown mode; it will take time to ready the field for play and make the facility compliant with the 2020 MLB Operations Manual.
Regardless, there’s good reason for the Blue Jays to seek alternatives to Dunedin as COVID-19 continues to spread in Florida, with over 5,000 news cases reported in the state Wednesday — 282 of them in Pinellas County, home to the club’s TD Ballpark.
Multiple Blue Jays players and staff in Dunedin tested positive for the coronavirus after the facility was shut down late last week, adding to the urgency of their search for a new locale.
Clarity is expected by the weekend and club president and CEO Mark Shapiro is scheduled to address media Friday afternoon.
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