Rogers Centre renovations wow Toronto Blue Jays fans at home opener
CBC
Excited fans raced through the gates at Rogers Centre with some having to double back because they forgot their free giveaway, too eager to get their first look at the renovated ballpark.
The Blue Jays hosted the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in Toronto's home opener, making it the first time the stadium had been open to the public since new bars, restaurants and other fan-centric amenities were added to the stands overlooking the outfield.
"It's remarkable," said Neil Quenneville, who had taken the train in from Windsor, Ont., to see the home opener as a birthday present for his 12-year-old son. "They've done a great job here, really playing up to the fans here and I'm really enjoying it."
The Quennevilles had just arrived in one of the new "outfield districts" at the downtown Toronto ballpark.
Those new sections include Park Social, a space on the 500 level overlooking left field. At the same level but above right field is the Corona Rooftop Patio.
Directly below that is The Catch, a bar space perched above the visitors' bullpen, while a bar next to that called The Stop overlooks centre field. Schneiders Porch, an open-air hotdog concession at the right-field level of the 200s, has also been added.
Finally, the WestJet Flight Deck in the 200 level has been refreshed with retro arcade games and a new brewery-style menu.
"You've heard the stories all throughout the off-season of how it's going to look, so being here, in person, seeing it is an unreal experience," said Grayson Ciulla of Peterborough, Ont.
The new-look outfield was showcased during a lengthy pre-game ceremony that saw Hall of Fame inductee Fred McGriff throw out the first pitch.
Individual awards were presented to Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (Silver Slugger), closer Jordan Romano (Tip O'Neill), and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Gold Glove) as part of the festivities.
Romano, who grew up in nearby Markham, Ont. as a Blue Jays fan, said he was also excited about the changes to Rogers Centre.
"I love it, actually," said Romano, gazing out at the renovated areas from the home dugout. "It's a nice touch that I think the field needed."
A noticeable difference for players, both on the Blue Jays and visiting teams, is that the outfield wall has been moved closer to home plate and lowered in places. Fans now sit at the same level as the bullpens as well, meaning players can have conversations — friendly or not — with the Toronto faithful.
"The fans are great here," said Romano. "It's just going to be more encouragement than on the road where I'm getting chirped.
A Calgary dentist who defrauded five insurance companies over a decade should spend up to three years in prison, the prosecution argued Friday.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has called off its search for a bear responsible for an attack on a group of school children in Bella Coola, B.C. on Nov. 20.
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.