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The Rogers Centre you previously knew is going to look at little different on Monday when the Jays finally open the season at home following a 10-game road trip.
The Rogers Centre you previously knew is going to look at little different on Monday when the Jays finally open the season at home following a 10-game road trip.
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The extended time away was necessary to put the finishing touches on the nearly $400-million renovation that was spread over two years, the first of which was restricted to the area between the foul poles in the outfield.
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That phase drastically altered the look of the old ballpark with new bullpens that are more accessible than ever to the view of fans and unique viewing areas like the Corona Rooftop Patio or TD Park Social or even The Catch Bar, to name a few.
All told, the Outfield District, with its $20 general admission fee, was a huge hit with its unique viewing options.
The second phase, most of which will be complete for opening day on Monday, was the remainder of the lower bowl from the fences in.
All told, the cost of construction, which was originally tabbed at $300 million, ended up closer to $400 million as plans were altered and the always counted-on overtime a project like this eventually incurs pushed that number north.
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From a pure baseball standpoint, the greatest accomplishment of the renovation is the altered sightlines. Initially built as a multi-purpose facility, too many of the seats in the previous edition of the Rogers Centre did not face home plate or even the infield. The further one got down the lines, the more one had to turn sideways to see the dish.
Not only are the seats facing the infield now, though, the pitch of the seats has improved so you are no longer looking over or around the fan in front of you.
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And those old seats with the tight leg room have been replaced by wider aisles and newer, more comfortable seats, although the level of comfort — such as padding — will be tied directly to your ticket price.
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The pricier the ticket, the better the quality of seat. Those in the first of three prestige seating areas will be treating their behinds to the most cushioned seats in the entire ballpark.
The three levels of prestige seating start with TD Lounge, Blueprint Club and Rogers Banner Club.
All will eventually have access to private clubs below field level, but construction of those facilities is ongoing and won’t be completed until mid-season.
Only after the entire bowl had been dug out and the structure replaced could the work underneath the bowl begin.
Work crews will continue the underground work while the team is on the road and earlier in the day during homestands, but even with that it’s not expected to be completed until July.
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Fans will ultimately foot the bill for the stadium re-configuration through increased ticket prices, in particular the premium seating packages, but the team contends they are simply responding to demand from its fan base.
The player experience at the Rogers Centre will also receive a boost with new and improved facilities beneath the stadium, including a new locker-room, batting cage and even an improved dugout at field level.
The field itself was already new back in 2021, but because it had to be torn out for the renovation players will experience a new AstroTurf with more give thanks to an improved fill and a liner under the actual turf that Tom Ferrell, the Jays director of field operations, is confident will address player safety better than the previous version.
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The fan experience, besides the obvious improvement in sightlines and comfort, will also include a new line of concessions as Legends, the same company that handles concessions at Yankee Stadium and a host of other MLB parks, takes over.
Rogers Centre executive chef Matt Munro will introduce a slew of new food options that should tempt any baseball fan.
Personal favourites coming in are a trio of Crush Floats – Cream Soda, Grape and Orange – that should take the sting out of the heat in those mid-summer day games.
The trickle-down cost is going to be felt, no question, by fans at the ticket window and the concession line, but Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro feels his team has delivered on its promise to improve the baseball experience for the Toronto fan base.
The public will make the ultimate decision on that beginning Monday when the Seattle Mariners come to town.
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The French league’s legal commission has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé the 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages that he claims he’s entitled to, the league said Thursday.
The league confirmed the decision to The Associated Press without more details, a day after the France superstar rejected a mediation offer by the commission in his dispute with his former club.
PSG officials and Mbappé’s representatives met in Paris on Wednesday after Mbappé asked the commission to get involved. Mbappé joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer.
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AP soccer:
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former football star Reggie Bush was at his Encino home Tuesday night when three male suspects attempted to break in, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
“Everyone is safe,” Bush said in a text message to the newspaper.
The Los Angeles Police Dept. told the Times that a resident of the house reported hearing a window break and broken glass was found outside. Police said nothing was stolen and that three male suspects dressed in black were seen leaving the scene.
Bush starred at Southern California and in the NFL. The former running back was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner this year. He forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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VANCOUVER – A fresh face has been gracing the B.C. Lions‘ highlight reels in recent weeks.
Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.
The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone B.C. player to reel in a passing major in his team’s 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions’ win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been really good,” Eberhardt said of his recent play. “At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn’t love scoring?”
He’ll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.
Eberhardt signed with B.C. as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions’ head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.
“He’s a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it,” Campbell said.
The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.
“He could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he’d know exactly what he’s doing,” the coach said. “That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback’s trust. And you see him making plays.”
Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions’ staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They’ve all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.
“I’ve played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football,” he said. “I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.”
While B.C.’s lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback — who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards — and wide receiver Justin McInnis — who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) — versatility has been a critical part of the team’s back-to-back wins.
“I think we’ve got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it’s really my job to get them the ball as much as possible,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke.
“I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we’re in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that’s a good place to be.”
Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.
Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Rourke said. “We’ll have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they’ll be ready to go so we’ll have to be as well.”
The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.
A win on Friday would vault B.C. to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.
Collecting that victory isn’t assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.
“They’ve hit a little bit of a rut, but they’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly’s) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we’re expecting their best shot.”
TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT B.C. LIONS (7-6)
Friday, B.C. Place
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven’t been easy for Toronto in recent years — since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against B.C.
CENTURION: B.C. defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. “Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young,” Peters said. “It makes me feel good, and my body doesn’t really feel it. I’ve been blessed to be able to play 100 straight.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
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