Menu

toronto blue jays

Ben Picture edited

10 year-old from Yarmouth, N.S, calls Jays Game

, , ,

A young Nova Scotia baseball fan got the call up to the big leagues.

Ten-year-old Ben Porter got to announce part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ game as they took on the New York Yankees on Sunday. 

He was chosen by Jr. Jay Sunday staff to announce the 2nd inning after answering a few skill testing questions.

“It was really cool,” said Ben. “They were mostly asking like, who’s my favourite player, stuff like that.”

He was joined by his parents Cody and Jenny Porter, who said it was amazing to get to see Ben announce the game.

“I was fortunate enough to go up in the booth with Ben,” said Jenny. “Just the crowd, the energy, it was so amazing.”

BEN PORTER ACCEPTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE THE 2ND INNING AGAINST THE YANKEES – SUBMITTED: JENNY PORTER

Ben said he wasn’t nervous at all, and as a long time baseball player and Jays fan he was confident in knowing the game. More than anything, he said he is just a little worried his friends won’t believe him when he starts the sixth grade this fall.

“I feel like they’re gonna be like, ‘that’s not true’,” said Ben. “But then I’ll show them the video.”

For his efforts Ben was given a number of souvenirs. He said his favourite was a signed baseball from Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

When Ben grows up, he said he wants to be an MLB pitcher. If that doesn’t work out, he said he would be happy to step in as an announcer.

Field of Dreams 1

KV softball players train with Jays Care

, ,

In October, the Kennebecasis Valley Girls Softball Association turned on the lights at Wells Recreation Park softball field, lights made possible with the help of Jays Care, the Toronto Blue Jays charitable foundation.

Friday the players got a second gift from Jays Care, participating in skills clinics and meeting former Jays prospect and Saint John native Andrew Case.

The weather chose to play the villain, but just like the Blue Jays, no rainouts here.

Players, parents and supporters moved indoors to the Irving Oil Field House, and the rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the young softball players.

Jays Care rep Geoff Seto said the event was an amazing opportunity for the players.

“We have an amazing coaching staff,” Seto told the players. “And we’re really excited to share a little bit in terms of our experiences with you all.”

The lights have been in use since the season began for the league in the spring.

Rothesay Mayor Matt Alexander says the lights will have a lasting impact on the community.

“These new lights are about much more than illuminating the softball field,” he said.

“They create opportunities. They allow the Kennebecasis Valley Girls Softball Association to extend its season, provide more practice and game times and ensure that girls have every opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships throughout sport.”

KVGSA executive director Shawn Titus said the lights have been a great addition to the Wells softball field.

Wells Recreation Park is home to the first ballfield in Rothesay with lights. PHOTO: Bryan Tait/Acadia Broadcasting

“You test out some hitting and some catching and the kids go on the field and it just it does it creates a sense of excitement in the community,” Titus said.

The lights have allowed the younger players to get playing and practice time on an actual softball field, rather than a nearby soccer field.

Titus said it gives the girls a better sense of the fundamental parts of the game, especially the real dimensions of a ballfield.

“You lose that a little bit when you move to a soccer field,” he said. “So having the ability to come back to a softball field and build off of that and those elements and help train the brain and the mind and we talk about that a lot.”

A baseball field through a chain link fence

Petitcodiac baseball field upgrades, thanks to Jays Care Field of Dreams

, , ,

An investment from the Jays Care Field of Dreams program will benefit the Salisbury Petitcodiac Minor Baseball Association.

“We’ve had to keep our lips sealed tight. We’ve known since the May long weekend. We were told that we were the recipients of the funding, and we were to host a watch party if we could, but we couldn’t let anyone know about the big news. So it’s been a little bit of a challenge, but we embraced it and pulled it together,” Three Rivers Recreation Director Natalie Griffin told our newsroom.

The application process began in the fall of 2025. Griffin approached the Association Operations Manager and told her there was a grant she really wanted to apply for.

“And so I worked on that, and then in February, we found out that we had been shortlisted and moved to the next level. So we had to do a little bit more of a detailed application. And then in May, we found out that we were the lucky recipients,” Griffin explained.

The Petitcodiac Field was the recipient of the Field of Dreams program and received over $10,000 for upgrades.

“So the field needed a portable mound. It’s a softball field, so there are only certain age levels that can play due to the size of the infield and the outfield. So we are able now to extend the infield out a few more feet, and then we’re also getting a portable mound so that it can be moved on and off of the field so it can be used for both disciplines of baseball and softball,” Griffin said.

The mound is expected to arrive in a few weeks, and the team has already started doing some of the infield work.

“Before, only players up to the age of U13 were able to use the field. So now we’re adding in the U15. So that’s going to increase it to probably at least 100 to 130 kids throughout the summer using it. The property is owned by the Anglophone East School District, so we have a reciprocal agreement with the community of Three Rivers and Anglophone East that we help maintain and take care of the property,” Griffin said.

In 2026, more than $2.6 million from the Jays Care Field of Dreams program will fund 22 projects across seven provinces. Three of the baseball diamonds are in New Brunswick, in Salisbury, Saint John, and Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska.

“These upgraded diamonds will give kids a safe place where they can build character, resilience, and a sense of belonging through the game. Thank you to everyone involved in the local communities for bringing these projects to life, and we can’t wait to see the lasting impact these diamonds will have on kids across Canada,” Jays Care Foundation Executive Director Peter King said.

blue jays 2 jpg

Jays partnership aims to boost tourism

, , , , ,

The New Brunswick government and the Toronto Blue Jays have struck a three-year deal to promote the province as a tourist destination to the team’s national audience.

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is committing $1,624,000 over three years to the campaign. The deal includes promotional game-day experiences, hosting a national contest, and other opportunities meant to get Blue Jays fans to contemplate traveling to New Brunswick.

Minister Isabelle Thériault said investment in the partnership will help showcase New Brunswick and establish the province as a world-class destination.

“This exciting new partnership supports the success of our tourism strategy, Fresh Perspective, aimed at increasing our annual tourism revenues to $3.7 billion by 2031,” said Thériault. “The Blue Jays are a shared part of Canadian culture, giving us a meaningful way to connect with future travellers by sharing what makes our province special.”

Toronto Blue Jays vice-president of partnerships Mark Ditmars said they are pleased that Explore N.B. has trusted the team to support the tourism plan and build awareness with fans across the country.

“We look forward to working with the Tourism New Brunswick team to celebrate and connect our fans from coast to coast to coast,” said Ditmars.

blue jays

Local snack giant becomes new partner of Toronto Blue Jays

, , ,

Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company, located in Waterville, New Brunswick, now has a two-year partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The chip manufacturer says the partnership is not just about baseball; it is also about resilience and rebuilding.

“Today, the company stands ready to grow — and partnering with Canada’s team, the Toronto Blue Jays, signals a bold step forward,” Covered Bridge said in a release that delivered the good news.

The company suffered a devastating blow in March 2024 when a fire burnt down their Hartland production facility along the Trans Canada.

Last September, their new facility in Woodstock was back to production. Now, with the start of the baseball season, a new beginning is marked.

“We are incredibly proud and honoured to launch this partnership as the Blue Jays celebrate their milestone 50th season,” said Brook Dickinson, executive vice president at Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company. “As a proudly independent Canadian company, we believe in aligning with organizations that share our commitment to quality, community, and national pride. We look forward to Blue Jays fans across Canada enjoying a bag of Covered Bridge chips while cheering on the team as they aim to defend their AL Champions title. Let’s go Blue Jays!”

Vice President of Partnerships at the Toronto Blue Jays Mark Ditmars says the team is proud to partner with Covered Bridge.

“As Canada’s team, we are excited to work with a quintessential Canadian brand, and to bring their homegrown potato chips to fans at Rogers Centre,” said Ditmars.

Wells Field Lights 4

Jays Care to support New Brunswick sports

, ,

The charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays will have a more permanent presence in New Brunswick this year.

On Friday, the provincial government announced a new interprovincial partnership that will allow the Jays Care Foundation to sell its 50/50 tickets in the province.

All proceeds from tickets sold in New Brunswick will be directly invested in supporting children’s sports.

“To me, this is a win-win,” Finance Minister René Legacy said in a press release. “Not only will New Brunswickers have a chance to win jackpots available through Major League Baseball’s biggest 50/50 draws, they’ll also be contributing to improve sports programming for youth across the province.”

New Brunswick will join Alberta and Nova Scotia as the only provinces outside Ontario where the tickets can be purchased online.

“We are thrilled to welcome fans across New Brunswick to participate in Jays Care’s league-leading 50/50 draws,” said James Dodds, board chair of the Jays Care Foundation.

“The proceeds from this expansion will help extend our reach and impact across the province, giving thousands more kids the chance to build character, resilience and a sense of belonging through baseball.”

The foundation has invested $800,000 in projects across New Brunswick over the past 12 years, most recently a set of lights for a ballfield at the Wells Recreation Complex in Rothesay.

Legacy said he expects such investments to increase thanks to the new partnership.

World Series Logo

Blue Jays rally falls short, Game 7 Saturday

, ,

What could have been a celebration not seen since 1993 will have to wait for another day.

The Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 Friday night, leaving the World Series tied at three games apiece.

The winner-take-all finale is Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET. Max Scherzer will take the hill for Toronto. The Dodgers had not announced their starter by the end of the game.

Jays starter Kevin Gausman pitched another gem, striking out seven of the first nine Dodgers batters he faced.

But like Game 2, Gausman had one stumble, this time in the top of the third. A Will Smith double brought a run home, before Mookie Betts knocked in two more.

In the home half of the third, Addison Barger hit a leadoff double. George Springer, back in the lineup after missing the last two games, brought Barger home to get the Jays within two.

But that was all they could muster for most of the game.

The bottom of the ninth brought more drama, and had some similarities to 1993.

The inning started with Alejandro Kirk getting hit by a pitch to leadoff. Kirk was pulled for pinch-runner Myles Straw.

Barger, who has had a stellar series, drove the ball deep to left for what looked like at least a double, but the ball became wedged under the padding at the Rogers Centre. Straw and Barger came all the way around for what appeared to be a game-tying inside-the-park home run.

But the umpires ruled the ball was dead and but Straw at third and Barger at second, still with nobody out. The Dodgers outfielders appeared to attempt to play the ball, but the call was confirmed after replay review.

Ernie Clement popped out, Andres Gimenez hit a line drive to left and Barger was doubled off second. Game over. Champagne put back on ice for the time being.

Saturday will be just the third Game 7 in Blue Jays history. Most recently, they defeated the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS just 12 days ago. The other was way back in 1985, when they lost the ALCS to the Kansas City Royals.

COLIN JPG

Life-long Jays fan reflects on World Series experience

,

A life-long Blue Jays fan got to experience the World Series up close.

Colin MacIsaac lives near Toronto, but grew up on the East Coast in Halifax.

He and his family took in Game 2 on Saturday night, a 5-1 Jays loss.

Still, MacIsaac says it was a dream come true.

“The flag across the outfield, everyone singing the National Anthem at the top of their lungs, Joe Carter being there, and receiving the homerun jacket. The feeling across the city has just been crazy,” said MacIsaac.

A look during O’ Canada at the World Series in Toronto (Contributed Photo)

While some blamed the loss on a mid-game Jonas Brothers performance, MacIsaac credits the Dodgers pitcher, who threw a complete game.

“(Yoshinobu) Yamamoto was just incredible, hats off to the guy, it was an historic performance. It was against us, so it was tough, and I’ll appreciate being there for that more with time. Right now, we just want to win the World Series.”

He predicts a long series, with the Jays winning the Fall Classic on home field this weekend.

When asked if he’ll be attending if it comes back to Canada:

“No, I’m broke after that one, but go Jays go!”

The view outside Rogers Centre in Toronto ahead of Game 2 of the World Series (Contributed Photo)

Series shifts to Los Angeles

The Blue Jays visit the Dodgers for Game 3 of the series Monday night, tied at 1.

It’ll be veteran Max Scherzer starting on the mound for Toronto, making his fourth World Series appearance with his fourth different team.

The Dodgers will counter with Tyler Glasnow.

Games 4 and 5 are Tuesday and Wednesday, also at Dodger Stadium.

If necessary, Games 6 and 7 would be back at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Friday and Saturday night.

The Blue Jays are seeking their first World Series title in 32 years, while the Dodgers are trying to defend their 2024 crown.

World Series 2

Dodgers even World Series with 5-1 win over Jays

,

The Los Angeles Dodgers have tied up the World Series 1-1 with 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto made history Saturday as the first pitcher to throw two complete games consecutively in the post-season since 2001.

Toronto’s veteran starter Kevin Gausman made his World series debut. He went six and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on four hits, and struck out six of L.A.’s batters.

Jays’ manager John Schneider told reporters after the game that “it was a classic pitchers’ duel.”

Saturday night’s victory guarantees the Fall Classic will go for at least five games.

Game 3 will be at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Max Scherzer will pitch for the Blue Jays and Tyler Glasnow will for the Dodgers.

blue jays

Blue Jays open World Series with historic grand-slam win

, ,

Game 1 of the World Series was one for the books!

The Toronto Blue Jays crushed the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 Friday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Fall Classic.

Toronto exploded with 9 runs in the 6th inning.

Addison Barger hit the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.

It was the Jays’ first appearance in the World Series since 1993.

Game 2 is on Saturday night.

Toronto’s veteran starter Kevin Gausman will take the mound against L.A.’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Load More