Blue Jays Fever

With every win, the Jays are one step closer to making history in the playoffs, and the fever pitch is growing! Undoubtedly, Jay’s fans, loyal, returning and newly made, will look back on 2015 as the golden summer, one to hold onto and one to savour!

Not since 1993 have we seen the Blue Jays make the playoffs, and those watching are showing their true colours. The streets of Toronto are a stream of blue jerseys and fellow Jay lovers are smiling in recognition – things are just friendlier all around. Jays fever is not just happening in Toronto; from coast to coast, Canadians are falling back in love with the Blue Jays!

Never before has it been more fashionable to post a selfie on social media at the Jays stadium wearing your Blue Jays jersey and cap. All across the country, people are tuning in to watch these games unfold, whether by smartphone, TV or radio. If you want to attend one of these games, be prepared to pay the big bucks. The end of a 22 year dry spell has caused ticket prices to soar, and what’s more, getting those tickets isn’t easy as the home games are, for the most part, sold out.

The only fans not encouraged to attend are politicians. During this much publicized election year, party leaders are jumping on the Jays band wagon as an easy photo opportunity – much to the dismay of the Jays themselves. In the last three public appearances by party leaders, namely Tom Mulcair, Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau in that order, the Jays have lost each time. Dubbed the Canadian Political Curse, the Jays management team must cringe every time they hear a political leader will be in the stands.

#BlueJays is trending and the number of fans is on the rise; the house is packed, the seats are full! With that many fans in the stands, safety has become a major league issue.

Fan Safety

August saw a dangerous spike in the number of fans getting hit by line-drive balls or flying bats. A female fan at Wrigley Field was struck in the head by a line-drive foul ball in the first inning of the game and was taken away on a stretcher. Just one inning later during the same game, a fan sitting behind the third base dugout was struck by a bat.

There were many other incidents of fans being injured by balls or bats – even the players are getting hit and complaining about safety. This brings into question what safety precautions are the responsibility of the league and what is expected out of the fans.

The increase of incidents has certainly brought the issue to the forefront – and to the courts. An Oakland Athletics season-ticket holder asked the federal court to order Major League Baseball to extend the safety netting at all of its ballparks to cover the entire length of the foul lines. Lawsuits? Sure hope the Majors have the right insurance!

Have you got the right insurance you need? McDougall is here to help. Give us a call today at 1-800-361-0941 or drop us a line by email we are here for you!

Are you interested in seeing a Blue Jays game before they head into the playoffs? Then McDougall has a treat for you! Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages to stay tuned for contest details. Go Jays Go!!!