The state of Pennsylvania will not allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play in PNC Park in Pittsburgh in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, health officials said Wednesday. This is the last jurisdiction to say no to the team earlier this week’s baseball season.
Canada has already refused the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto, as the regular season schedule would require frequent round-trip trips from the United States, where COVID-19 cases increase.
The Blue Jays and pirates had been waiting to be granted state permission to continue with the plan to complete PNC Park for the Rogers Center.
“The number of COVID-19 cases in southwest Pennsylvania has increased significantly in recent weeks,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, the state health minister, in a statement.
“To accept travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sporting events, residents, visitors and members of both teams are at risk. We know that this virus is not discriminatory and can even make professional athletes very ill. We are committed to protecting health and wellbeing of all Pennsylvaniaers. “
Canada has flattened the epidemic curve. The number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus – including Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents – reported daily by Allegheny County has increased tenfold in the past two weeks, compared to the two weeks in June before officials there reported an alarming increase in cases .
CLOCK | Blue Jays’ Toronto plan rejected by federal government:
Health officials have attributed the spread primarily to bars and restaurants that ignored physical distance instructions, as well as residents returning from the trip to virus hotspots. To curb the spread, health officials have issued a cascade of orders to close bars and restaurants, limit dining service, and recommend that individuals returning from certain states be isolated at home for 14 days.
The agreement to share the stadium with the pirates was still pending, according to two officials who spoke anonymously with The Associated Press on Wednesday, as they were not authorized to speak before the government decision.
Pirate President Travis Williams previously confirmed the talks about targeting the Blue Jays and seemed ready to greet them if it could be done safely. Charlie Montoyo, manager of Blue Jays, said he was excited about the PNC Park option, and Derek Shelton, manager of Pirates, said he had no problem moving in the Blue Jays.
Ross Atkins, general manager of Blue Jays, said this week that his team has more than five contingency plans for a home stadium and is in discussions with other teams. He refused to call her.
Atkins said if the Blue Jays couldn’t find a Major League Park, their triple-A partner in Buffalo, NY would be the most likely home game location. But based on the wishes of the players and the collaboration they get from other teams and Major League Baseball, Atkins said the Blue Jays will focus on Major League parks as long as they are safe.
He said health and safety are a priority, so the ability to be socially distant without considering other teams’ ability to maintain social distance is important.
Toronto starts the season on Friday in Tampa Bay and is expected to play its first home game against defending champions Washington on July 29. The players have said that they strongly prefer to play in a major league park.
The team had considered playing home games at its training facility in Dunedin, Florida, but that is one of the states that are virus hotspots.
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