Buffalo, NY (WBEN) There will be Major League Baseball in Buffalo in 2020. The Toronto Blue Jays announce most of their home games will be at Sahlen Field.
Blue Jays To Stage Majority Of 2020 Home Games In Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/BxlV7cgieJ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 24, 2020
"We are extremely grateful to have a home this season, thanks to the openness, creativity, and partnership of the Buffalo Bisons, Major League Baseball and Blue Jays staff, who have worked tirelessly to prepare us for games at Sahlen Field" says Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro in a statement. "This process has no doubt tested our team's resilience, but our players and staff refuse to make excuses--we are determined to take the field on Opening Day today, and for the coming months, with the same intensity and competitiveness our fans expect."
"As I've said all along, Buffalo is a home run for the Blue Jays 2020 MLB season. When I spoke with Commissioner Manfred earlier this week, I highlighted Sahlen Field's top-notch facilities, its proximity to Toronto, and of course, Western New York's world-class fan base. I have every confidence Major League Baseball can return to Western New York for the first time since the 19th century," says Senator Chuck Schumer. Schumer claims Buffalo is the perfect location to host the Blue Jays because of the proximity to Toronto, the major league quality of the playing surface at Sahlen Field, the capability of the City of Buffalo to safely host a major league team for the duration of the season, and the community's enthusiasm for baseball.
Governor Cuomo says New York is prepared for Major League Baseball in Buffalo. "Working with the Department of Health, I think we can come up with the protocols that keep people safe. We've done that, and if we can get Toronto to play here, great. It will be done safely," says Cuomo, noting games will be fanless in the stands. "Giving the fans something to watch on TV is a good thing," adds Cuomo.
He adds the Mets and Yankess did spring training in New York City.
The Blue Jays' first game in Buffalo will be either on July 31 against the Philadelphia Phillies or on Aug. 11 against the Miami Marlins. Toronto opens the season at Tampa Bay on Friday. The team said the first scheduled home series, against the Washington Nationals on July 29 and 30, will take place on the road to accommodate necessary infrastructure modifications at Sahlen Field to meet Major League Baseball playing standards and COVID-19 safety requirements.
The Blue Jays had been in discussions with Baltimore and Pittsburgh to use their home fields.
Mike Buczkowski of Rich Baseball Operations says the Bisons are looking forward to partner with the Blue Jays. "Being able to have the games here will no doubt strengthen what's already been a great and long partnership with the Blue Jays. But I think this is a great opportunity to showcase Buffalo and our community," says Buczkowski.
He says the amount of responses from people willing to do what they can to make this the best possible place is overwhelming.
"There's not a minor league baseball facility that meets MLB standards, so we need to figure out how to creatively use this space to turn it into a place that will meet the standards for what the Blue Jays need,"says Buczkowski. "Clubhouses need to be expanded, weight rooms, training rooms, dugouts, everything you take for granted you have to take a look and see how to make this a safe place," noting COVID will be a challenge.
