G20 forces Doc homecoming to Philly

THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Politics has forced the Blue Jays to put Roy Halladay’s return to Toronto on hold.

The three-game series between the Jays and the Phillies at the end of June has been relocated to Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park because of security concerns surrounding the G20 in Toronto.

The June 25-27 series would have been Halladay’s first return visit to Rogers Centre after the former Jays ace was traded to the Phillies in the off-season. It’s the lone interleague matchup between the clubs this season.

Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston said missing out on an appearance by Halladay and the 2009 World Series champions made the decision a difficult one.

"I’m aware of what (Halladay’s visit) would have been," said Beeston. "It would have been a terrific opportunity to recognize a quality individual, and equally as important, we had a team that’s been in the World Series the last two years.

"It’s not something where you sit back and say, ‘So what?’ It’s a big deal. The fact is, the Phillies won’t be here. The Phillies have a great team this year, so it would have been great for our fans."


Tickets sold through the Toronto Blue Jays will be refunded by the club. If you purchased by:

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** Cheque – Tickets paid by cheque will be issue a refund cheque for the same amount.
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Season ticket holder refunds will be issued to the registered subscriber.

The move is a potentially damaging one for the Blue Jays, who are already having difficulty getting people to show up. Toronto is drawing just 15,207 fans per game, good for second-last in the majors.

The Blue Jays had projected a turnout of 90,000 fans for the three-game series — "probably more if Doc was pitching," Beeston said. And though Toronto will sorely miss what would have been the biggest draw of the season, the team has worked out a compensation deal with the Phillies to make up for the loss of three home dates.

"We have an arrangement with (the Phillies)," said Beeston. "We’re hoping to be revenue-neutral. We don’t want to lose money on it."

Philadelphia leads the majors in attendance, drawing more than 45,000 fans per game.

The G20 summit is being held June 26-27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is just down the street from the Rogers Centre. The stadium falls within an "outer security zone" surrounding the convention centre which means that fan access to the stadium would have been detoured around secure areas.

Officials have said the summit will provide bigger security challenges than February’s Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Toronto’s downtown is expected to be flooded with Toronto police, RCMP officers and other security officials. Residents and those working in the area will have to register to get access to their homes and businesses during the period of the summit.

Beeston said the potential for massive human traffic jams before and after each game was a major factor in his decision to move the series.

"This was done as an accommodation to everybody that’s involved in the G20 and to our fans, who would have a difficult time getting (to the Rogers Centre,)" said Beeston.

Beeston said the team was in constant communication with officials from the G20 over possible contingency plans, but insisted he was never pressured to move the series.

"This is our decision, this is not the G20’s request," said Beeston. "They did not (ask) us to do it, but I can’t think, at the very end of the day, that they will be that upset that we’re not here."

While the game will be played in a National League park, the Jays will still bat last and the designated hitter rule will be used.

All ticket holders will receive a full refund on their tickets as well as one free ticket voucher for each ticket refunded for any upcoming home game this season.

Beeston said he hoped that Blue Jays fans wouldn’t begrudge the G20 for the scheduling snafu.

"This is a big opportunity for this country, to have the G20 here," said Beeston. "Unfortunately, it just coincides with the worst weekend we could have, with the Phillies here."

Not every major sports team is hitting the road that weekend. Toronto FC released a statement Tuesday saying its June 26 match against the L.A. Galaxy at BMO Field on Toronto’s waterfront would proceed as planned.

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