The Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, got a facelift this offseason. Notable changes include bringing fans closer to the action, which can lead to some unfortunate situations for visitors.
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On Tuesday, a can of beer fell into the bullpen of Jays’ then-adversary, the Detroit Tigers. It could only be an isolated incident, but the pitchers didn’t like it. A police officer also intervened to prevent possible overflows.
According to Sportsnet network journalist Shi Davidi, it could just be an unfortunate incident where a can was accidentally pushed into the stands by a fan. Accident or not, bullets can endanger the safety of athletes.
The rivalry with the Tigers isn’t very strong, but if the New York Yankees or the Tampa Bay Rays come to Rogers Center, can we expect beer to rain down on the bullpen?
“The interactions with the fans will be very interesting as the summer gets hotter and the rivals come. […] Our players had fun with the fans but they’re pretty close,” warned Tigers manager AJ Hinch.
The coach also called the Jays’ new facilities “one of the best” in major league baseball.
“We understand the risks and have taken the necessary precautions to protect players and fans, including detailed operational plans and more staff to ensure a positive experience for all. Fans who engage in behavior in violation of our codes of conduct will be cautioned, asked to move to another area, or removed from the stadium based on the severity,” the Toronto team said in a press release.