6/23/2009 - Rogers Centre - MLB Ballpark #6

2009 Game #4 - Cincinnati Reds at Toronto Blue Jays
Final Score: Blue Jays 7, Reds 5
Hot Dog - 2/5

Our trip north of the border continued tonight at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.  Originally called SkyDome (and lovingly referred to as the “Torontodome” by my dad), this park was the first to have a retractable roof.  The weather here was great (albeit warm while the sun was still out), though, so no need of it.

Tonight’s game marks several firsts for us:  1. It was the first time either of us had seen a game in a domed stadium.  2. It was the first time a home team has won a game on our trip.  (Note:  I’m not sure if it was the rabbit’s foot or Brad’s gambling addiction that caused it, but it sure was fun to watch.)  And finally, 3. Tonight was the first time on our trip we got to experience one-dollar hot dogs!

That’s right, dollar dogs.  And if you work in the currency conversion, that’s like… what, 83 cents or something?  Nice deal!  Unfortunately, they weren’t any good.  Oh well, you win some, you lose some.  See!  Baseball and hot dogs are metaphors for life.

Rogers Center Centre (darn Canadians and their Frenchy-ness) is a nice place to watch a game, but it’s starting to show its age.  The colours are faded (which you can see if you watch Sportscentre highlights), the seats are getting older, but all in all, it’s a nice park.  On a strange note, when you walk in, you feel more like you’re entering a mall than a ballpark:  Linolium and tile replace the standard concrete flooring in the entrances and around the main concourse.  The 200 level (normal and bleacher seats) is completely carpeted until you actually walk out to your seat.  Very different.

The stadium is located in downtown Toronto, right next to the CN Tower.

We were unable to go into the tower, as it was closed after the game.  We were, however, able to see one of Toronto’s other major landmarks:  Brian Tallet’s moustache.  Yes, Mr. Tallet, the Jays’ starting pitcher has an upper lip that houses a ferocious masculinity that can only be rivaled by Tom Selleck or Jason Giambi.

The park’s in-game presentation was rather loud and seemed almost forced at times.  There were constant cheers and chants, most started by bright graphics on the scoreboard.  I guess they feel the need to do this because of the low attendance.  Even so, it got a bit obnoxious.

Other things we noticed:  1. The Jays are the third or fourth team on our trip to use the song “Eminent Front” by The Who during pre-game activities.  2. The Blue Jays have a 7th-inning stretch song, played before “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” with wacky lyrics and dance steps (at least arm movements).  Very odd.  Actually, it made me a bit uncomfortable.  3. The grounds crew is very efficient in setting up the dirt areas before the game and in sweeping/cleaning during inning breaks.  What we found odd was that they only covered the pitchers mound and other “dirt” areas with a thin layer of clay/dirt.  The mound, for instance, seems to be concrete or rubber with only a few inches of cover.

Also, we thought it was strange that they changed the bases during the 6th inning.  Grounds crew people literally took the old ones out and put new, crisp, white ones in.  Again, very odd.

Ah, well.  Tomorrow, we’re off to Detroit and the Tigres… I mean Tigers.  Back to the States, logical measurements, and real currency.

-Rich