What should I know about Jays vs. Angels?
August 19, 2024 9:35 AM Subscribe
Taking my almost-4-year-old to a Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels game on Sunday in Toronto. I know the basic rules of baseball, but do not really follow it. Anything I should know about the teams' current roster or season to enhance the viewing experience?
I don't think there is anything to enhance the viewing experience of that game, and it might be one of the more depressing matchups possible. Both teams are in last place in their divisions (although not the worst in baseball overall) and were generally sellers at the trade deadline because they had no hope of competing for anything this year so they might as well invest in their future. The Angels employ one of the greatest players ever, but he's currently injured (Mike Trout) and they've generally done a tremendous disservice to the history of baseball as a sport by failing to put out any kind of competitive team during his career. Before this season, they had the other candidate for greatest player ever (Shohei Otani) but let him walk in free agency. Their other major contract the last few years is also injured and has made statements where it doesn't sound like he really enjoys playing baseball (Anthony Rendon). Toronto's owner has called this a "lost season".
I'd explore the concession stands, personally.
posted by LionIndex at 9:56 AM on August 19 [4 favorites]
I'd explore the concession stands, personally.
posted by LionIndex at 9:56 AM on August 19 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Both teams are having frustrating (read not good) seasons. The Angels are in a complete rebuild now that Ohtani has left and Mike Trout is injured (again). The Jays are underperforming vis a vis the "experts" predictions. Vlad on the Jays is an incredible hitter and having a great season at the plate.
But in terms of a 4 year old, the key to the game will be the ice cream and cotton candy. Your focus will be on keeping them busy and cleaning up the dripping ice cream.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:57 AM on August 19 [1 favorite]
But in terms of a 4 year old, the key to the game will be the ice cream and cotton candy. Your focus will be on keeping them busy and cleaning up the dripping ice cream.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:57 AM on August 19 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: So you're saying there's a reason these tickets were USD 5 each
posted by grouse at 10:13 AM on August 19 [16 favorites]
posted by grouse at 10:13 AM on August 19 [16 favorites]
A ball game will probably feel very long for a 4-year old (and maybe you too, if you're not that into the sport!).
I'm guessing you're taking the kid because it's a Jr. Jays Sunday? But if you weren't aware, it's worth taking advantage of the little activities to break up the length of the game: "Kids 14 and under can visit our Jr. Jays Zones on the 100, 200 and 500 levels, including TD Park Social as part of the Outfield District. Jr. Jays can take part in a variety of fun games and activities that will run from gates open until the end of the game."
posted by Kabanos at 10:16 AM on August 19 [5 favorites]
I'm guessing you're taking the kid because it's a Jr. Jays Sunday? But if you weren't aware, it's worth taking advantage of the little activities to break up the length of the game: "Kids 14 and under can visit our Jr. Jays Zones on the 100, 200 and 500 levels, including TD Park Social as part of the Outfield District. Jr. Jays can take part in a variety of fun games and activities that will run from gates open until the end of the game."
posted by Kabanos at 10:16 AM on August 19 [5 favorites]
plan for a short day. A 4yo will stay interested in the game for maybe 15 minutes. The kid zones can be fun. Food, walks, go to the top.
When they're ready to really watch, support a local hs team.
posted by j_curiouser at 10:29 AM on August 19 [4 favorites]
When they're ready to really watch, support a local hs team.
posted by j_curiouser at 10:29 AM on August 19 [4 favorites]
Best answer: There were some really cool-sounding new food items added this year, including vegetarian "steak" tacos.
And YES! Do the Sunday Kids stuff and make sure you arrange for kiddo to run the bases. That's a blast.
One note on players: the Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a fun one to watch. He just ended a 22 game hitting streak and has basically been of the best players in the game in the second half of the season. Since the All Star Break, he's hit .415 with 11 HR and 13 doubles. (That's absurd, Babe Ruthian kinda stuff.) Fun note: he's Vlad Jr. because he's named after his dad, who is a baseball Hall of Famer who played a lot with the Montreal Expos. So if you want to hype up a guy who will, barring injury or a rare day off, have a nice chance to be awesome in your presence, he's a good choice.
One very cool thing I'd say about the Rogers Centre is that it has a very high ratio of good seats. It's easy to feel close to the action there.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:34 AM on August 19 [1 favorite]
And YES! Do the Sunday Kids stuff and make sure you arrange for kiddo to run the bases. That's a blast.
One note on players: the Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a fun one to watch. He just ended a 22 game hitting streak and has basically been of the best players in the game in the second half of the season. Since the All Star Break, he's hit .415 with 11 HR and 13 doubles. (That's absurd, Babe Ruthian kinda stuff.) Fun note: he's Vlad Jr. because he's named after his dad, who is a baseball Hall of Famer who played a lot with the Montreal Expos. So if you want to hype up a guy who will, barring injury or a rare day off, have a nice chance to be awesome in your presence, he's a good choice.
One very cool thing I'd say about the Rogers Centre is that it has a very high ratio of good seats. It's easy to feel close to the action there.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:34 AM on August 19 [1 favorite]
If you're done by 4pm, you could take a walk down to the Toronto Music Garden for a free concert - looks like an interesting percussion ensemble that day. There's also a rail museum next to the stadium, and the inner-city airport if you or kid likes to watch planes take off/land.
posted by sagc at 10:42 AM on August 19
posted by sagc at 10:42 AM on August 19
It's not necessarily baseball-related, but maybe while you're there, throw a couple bucks at the Jays' 50/50 raffle. Not only is it money to a good cause, you may end up winning a fair bit of money yourself.
posted by pdb at 12:01 PM on August 19
posted by pdb at 12:01 PM on August 19
A ball game will probably feel very long for a 4-year old (and maybe you too, if you're not that into the sport!).
When my oldest nephew was three, my brother would take him to a game for about three innings. Your kid is older; you can adjust accordingly.
posted by jgirl at 1:23 PM on August 19 [2 favorites]
When my oldest nephew was three, my brother would take him to a game for about three innings. Your kid is older; you can adjust accordingly.
posted by jgirl at 1:23 PM on August 19 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Vladdy remains our hero.
The Jr Jays stuff is quite interactive and fun. Lots of games, big toys, etc - not just watching the game. You can also sign up to have your kid "run" the bases after the game is over - they get to go on the field and run the actual bases. You can also go to Fan Services for a certificate (or maybe a lanyard?) certifying your kids first Jays game.
It is also fun to walk around the stadium (on each of the levels!) because there is a lot to look at in the outfield districts after the recent renovations. This blog post might be helpful in spelling it all out.
Also baseball is not complete without getting ice cream in the tiny helmet.
posted by hepta at 1:41 PM on August 19 [1 favorite]
The Jr Jays stuff is quite interactive and fun. Lots of games, big toys, etc - not just watching the game. You can also sign up to have your kid "run" the bases after the game is over - they get to go on the field and run the actual bases. You can also go to Fan Services for a certificate (or maybe a lanyard?) certifying your kids first Jays game.
It is also fun to walk around the stadium (on each of the levels!) because there is a lot to look at in the outfield districts after the recent renovations. This blog post might be helpful in spelling it all out.
Also baseball is not complete without getting ice cream in the tiny helmet.
posted by hepta at 1:41 PM on August 19 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I am not up to a full answer right now but I take my 7 year old son to the games regularly. My son is a jays geek so he is definitely there to watch the game. You're kid will be more about the jr jays stuff. If you haven't already registered him to run the bases you can do do that but also if he's not a jr jays all star memail me your name and email address and maybe it's still possible for me to get you a better slot.
The outdoor jr jays stuff opens at 11am at the south side of the dome. Bouncy castles and such. There are arcades and batting cahes and stuff on the 100 level. Face painting and colouring stations and more arcades elsewhere. Honestly my son does this study but quite briefly so I'm not an expert. He mostly wants me to buy him a program (and now yearbooks are on sale) and get his hot dog so he can be in his seat in time to hear the land acknowledgement and the line ups. The team sucks right now but I'm not allowed Tompkins it out and he always has some story to tell about how this guy who just appeared out of nowhere stole 2nd base 10 times in double-a or whatever. I don't know where he gets his info but when I've checked it's been right so now I don't check it.
Of course there's the trade off...the earlier you go the more bouncy castling you can do. But if you don't already have your spot for running the bases then you may get a late slot and then would have to stay later to do that so you'll be battling 4 year old stamina.
And find out which sections sell the ice cream hat ice cream before you go looking cause there's nothing worse than walking halfway around the dome and not finding any only to learn they were next door in the other direction. If you memail me and I don't respond please complain here and maybe a mefote fairt can poke at me. I'm kind of have stuff right now.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:18 PM on August 19 [3 favorites]
The outdoor jr jays stuff opens at 11am at the south side of the dome. Bouncy castles and such. There are arcades and batting cahes and stuff on the 100 level. Face painting and colouring stations and more arcades elsewhere. Honestly my son does this study but quite briefly so I'm not an expert. He mostly wants me to buy him a program (and now yearbooks are on sale) and get his hot dog so he can be in his seat in time to hear the land acknowledgement and the line ups. The team sucks right now but I'm not allowed Tompkins it out and he always has some story to tell about how this guy who just appeared out of nowhere stole 2nd base 10 times in double-a or whatever. I don't know where he gets his info but when I've checked it's been right so now I don't check it.
Of course there's the trade off...the earlier you go the more bouncy castling you can do. But if you don't already have your spot for running the bases then you may get a late slot and then would have to stay later to do that so you'll be battling 4 year old stamina.
And find out which sections sell the ice cream hat ice cream before you go looking cause there's nothing worse than walking halfway around the dome and not finding any only to learn they were next door in the other direction. If you memail me and I don't respond please complain here and maybe a mefote fairt can poke at me. I'm kind of have stuff right now.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:18 PM on August 19 [3 favorites]
Tell him that even though he might hear people call it the Rogers Centre, it will always and forever be the SkyDome or the Dome in Torontonians' hearts. There was a naming contest in 1987 and SkyDome was chosen and it was changed to Rogers Centre when Rogers bought the Dome.
Hopefully at least one Jay will hit a home run and the home run bullhorn will sound. The Jays have a HR ritual where if they hit a home run, that player puts on the home run jacket. (Bo Bichette, one of the Jays stars is injured and won't be playing) https://youtu.be/h5KRIYChKus?si=uGZqGoQnB08ysDmo
Other than watching Vladdy Jr, watch for Daulton Varsho to make excellent catches in centre field; he's known for that. Hopefully I haven't jinxed him lol.
Other than that, there's Ripley's Aquarium next to it, along with the Toronto Rail Museum.
posted by foxjacket at 12:50 PM on August 21 [1 favorite]
Hopefully at least one Jay will hit a home run and the home run bullhorn will sound. The Jays have a HR ritual where if they hit a home run, that player puts on the home run jacket. (Bo Bichette, one of the Jays stars is injured and won't be playing) https://youtu.be/h5KRIYChKus?si=uGZqGoQnB08ysDmo
Other than watching Vladdy Jr, watch for Daulton Varsho to make excellent catches in centre field; he's known for that. Hopefully I haven't jinxed him lol.
Other than that, there's Ripley's Aquarium next to it, along with the Toronto Rail Museum.
posted by foxjacket at 12:50 PM on August 21 [1 favorite]
Best answer: What I tell my son about the "Rogers Centre" is that Rogers pays people to call it that. Since they don't pay us, we don't call it that.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:10 PM on August 21 [1 favorite]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:10 PM on August 21 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: My daughter had a great time and had her eyes glued to the action the whole time. No one was more surprised than me. She repeatedly asked what the players were named and what was the reason for the crowd oohing or booing or cheering each time.
Despite concerns about the matchup, it resulted in a fairly quick game with two Jays home runs, and this seemed ideal for a preschooler.
I'm very impressed by the stadium design. We were in section 526 and did not feel like we missed much by being so high up.
Thanks for the tips on ice cream in a basebell helmet, on checking in advance on where to go for ice cream in a basebell helmet (!!!), and the first day certificate.
Best game I've ever been to.
Thanks to If only I had a penguin for getting us an earlier slot for Run the Bases. She had a blast. And for the tip about how to explain why someone might call it the "Rogers Centre" instead of the real name, the SkyDome. Although I was informed that, no, it is actually called Blue Jays.
posted by grouse at 7:10 AM on August 26 [3 favorites]
Despite concerns about the matchup, it resulted in a fairly quick game with two Jays home runs, and this seemed ideal for a preschooler.
I'm very impressed by the stadium design. We were in section 526 and did not feel like we missed much by being so high up.
Thanks for the tips on ice cream in a basebell helmet, on checking in advance on where to go for ice cream in a basebell helmet (!!!), and the first day certificate.
Best game I've ever been to.
Thanks to If only I had a penguin for getting us an earlier slot for Run the Bases. She had a blast. And for the tip about how to explain why someone might call it the "Rogers Centre" instead of the real name, the SkyDome. Although I was informed that, no, it is actually called Blue Jays.
posted by grouse at 7:10 AM on August 26 [3 favorites]
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(That Wikipedia link also says: The Toronto Blue Jays take the term "seventh-inning stretch" literally, as Health Canada officials lead fans at Rogers Centre in stretching exercises while the club's song "OK Blue Jays" plays before "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:55 AM on August 19 [3 favorites]