G20 Summit scuppers Halladay’s first trip to Toronto as a Philly
The Blue Jays-Phillies series at the Rogers Centre in late June – which was to feature Roy Halladay’s return to Toronto – is being moved to Philadelphia over security concerns with the G-20 summit.
Blue Jays president Paul Beeston said the decision to move the series was made by the organization after lengthy discussions with G-20 summit security officials.
“They (G-20) did not ask us to do it, it was a decision made by us and it wasn't an easy decision,” Beeston said Tuesday afternoon.
“I think from the time it was conceived, it wasn't lost on us that it was Philadelphia coming to town on those dates, and that we had to make some kind of decision. We considered alternatives ... but we decided in the end that from the viewpoint of our fans, it was the best decision to make.”
Beeston was referring to the fact fans would have to take long and winding detours just to get to the park. Parking and essential access to roads leading up to the Rogers Center will also be restricted, if not cut off entirely, which affected the club's position on the issue, Beeston added.
Beeston said fans purchasing tickets to the series will now be given full refunds, with the option of choosing an extra game as a bonus.
In addition, Beeston said the Jays will ask Major League Baseball to schedule the Phillies in Toronto next year as part of the interleague schedule for both teams.
The Jays will lose game revenue from three games, a sum that will be made up in an agreement to share game revenues with the Phillies when the series is played at Citizens Park.
“We have a great relationship with the Phillies over the years (opponents in the 1993 World Series; then Philly manager Jim Fregosi also managed in Toronto; ex-Jays GM Pat Gillick also held that post in Philly),” Beeston said.
“That's why we are able to do this (revenue sharing agreement), but it's a big expense for them to put the games on. At the end of the day, if we are revenue neutral (break even), we'll be happy.”
Beeston acknowledged one of the disappointments was the cancellations of plans to honor Halladay had the series been played in Toronto.
Those plans, like the series itself, will hopefully be made up to the Jays in next year's schedule, Beeston said.
Katy Feeney, MLB’s director of scheduling and club relations, said the teams and security officials with the summit had discussed the logistics of playing the three game series June 25-27 while Toronto is hosting the summit.
“The Jays, the Phillies, and security (with the summit) have been talking and it’s not an easy decision,” Feeney said.
“There are security concerns and right now no one knows the entire story there because (summit officials have not finalized security procedures yet). We’re all aware of what’s going on.”
The series would have been one of the biggest draws for the Jays this season.
Roy Halladay, who is having a Cy Young worthy season in Philadelphia after 12 years in Toronto, and former Jay Jason Werth, are both starring with the Phillies.
The Jays also have June circled as an important month for fans since the Yankees are at the Rogers Centre for a weekend series June 4-6.
But the summit will take over a core section of the downtown, with the summit itself taking place at the Metro Convention Center.
The Rogers Centre falls within an “outer security zone” surrounding the convention center. Access to the stadium from Union Station would have been detoured under the security restrictions. Baseball fans were to be permitted to walk down Bay St. from Union Station, across Queens Quay, and then back up to the Rogers Centre.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseb...-halladay-s-first-trip-to-toronto-as-a-philly
