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Edmonton Journal
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team.
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content Southern Ontario baseball fans usually account for as much as 20 per cent of ticket sales at Buffalo Bisons home games, but this season is going to be different. Article content Article content 'We have seen a reduction this year. We can track ticket sales for the season, what the percentages are, and we're down 10 to 15 per cent on Canadian fans,' said Bisons GM Anthony Sprague. 'That's a significant decline from previous years.' Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. Article content 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Article content Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? Article content The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team. Article content Article content Given that relationship, and the fact that Buffalo is located literally across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ont., Canadians have long been a staple at Bisons home games. Sports fans from southern Ontario also regularly attend Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League games and Buffalo Bills National Football League games. Article content As Sprague mentioned, the weather hasn't helped. But the Herd had already been thinned by a lethal blend of politics and economics, as some Canadian fans took offence at U.S. president Donald Trump's repetitive rhetoric — calling Canadians nasty, and flippantly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the governor of America's 51 st state — and his manipulative, on-again, off-again trade tariffs which have rocked stock markets worldwide. Article content As a result, many Canadians, sports fans and otherwise, have chosen not to spend time or money in the U.S. this year. Border crossings by vehicle from Canada into the states were down 35 per cent in April and 32 per cent in March, compared to the same months in 2024.
New York Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays prospect notes: Jake Bloss' injury, Trey Yesavage's ascendance and more
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jake Bloss was on the brink of a big-league return. Then, the Triple-A starter walked off an Iowa mound as Buffalo Bisons medical staff felt his throwing arm. The right-hander had imaging on his right elbow in Toronto, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, and may see a doctor outside the organization. It's a setback for the surging starter, Keith Law's No. 6 ranked prospect in the Blue Jays' system, and the latest blow to Toronto's rotation depth. Bloss' injury came just days after Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins lauded the starter's recent progress and tapped him as MLB ready, perhaps the next arm in line for Toronto's final rotation spot. Prior to his injury, Bloss made minor delivery tweaks and impressed Toronto's development staff with a step forward in command. The precision showed in Bloss' side sessions — Buffalo pitching coach Drew Hayes called it 'as good of side work as I can imagine with any player at Triple A' — and it flashed in Bloss' recent starts before the injury. But now, Bloss has gone from pushing toward the big leagues to hoping for health. Here are other notes and names to watch from the Blue Jays' minor leagues: Easton Lucas cutting up Triple A Remember Lucas' two sparkling outings to start 2025? Toronto's rotation depth would look a lot cleaner with that version of Lucas back in the big leagues, or anything close to it. The lefty's two strong starts to begin 2025 were followed by consecutive shellackings against the Braves and Mariners (14 earned runs in six and 2/3 innings). The league adjusted. So the Blue Jays sent the 28-year-old back to Triple A, where he's looked far closer to the guy who dazzled at Fenway Park. Lucas threw six shutout innings in a Thursday start against the Iowa Cubs, earning eight whiffs. Three of those swings-and-misses came against the cutter — a pitch both old and new. Lucas used the cut fastball 21 percent of the time last year but basically scrapped it ahead of 2025. The 89 mph pitch is back at the recommendation of the Blue Jays' MLB and minor-league coaching staffs, providing Lucas an option between his four-seam fastball and hard slider. Most importantly, it gives Lucas a second hard delivery if he loses four-seam command, as he did against the Braves and Mariners. It's a pitch the lefty threw for nearly 60 percent strikes last year, a higher rate than all but his slider. With Bloss' injury, Lucas is one of Toronto's top options for rotation depth. Even with José Ureña and Spencer Turnbull signed, Lucas may soon get his shot to test the counter-adjustment at the top level. 'You saw it in the first two starts in the big leagues,' Hayes said. 'He's probably not going to be that over the course of a whole season — shutting out the Nationals and the Red Sox at Fenway — but he's got the ability to be pretty damn good. Hopefully we get him back a little closer to that.' Trey Yesavage: Don't get comfortable in Dunedin Yesavage's baseball path is eerily similar to Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman's. Both pitchers were lightly recruited out of high school, broke out at East Carolina University and became Blue Jays first-round picks and top prospects. It took Hoffman nine years to throw strikes for the Blue Jays' MLB club. Yesavage's journey should be much swifter. With 36 strikeouts and a 2.31 ERA in five Dunedin outings, the 21-year-old is clearly ready for a new challenge. He may not be long in Low A, and Atkins basically confirmed it last week. 'We are confident that he is someone that could move quickly,' Atkins said. With the weather warming in Vancouver (high of 21 degrees Celsius on Tuesday) and New Hampshire, Yesavage can soon head north. Khal Stephen, a 2024 second-round pick with a 1.82 ERA in his first six Dunedin starts, may get the plane seat beside him. There's power in the low minors While Toronto's big-league club struggles to put baseball over walls, the Blue Jays have some homer launchers in the lower minors. Arjun Nimmala, Toronto's 2023 first-round pick, draws plenty of attention with the second-most home runs in the Northwest League (six). The high school draft pick is still over three years younger than the NWL's average player. Outfielder Yeuni Muñoz is another young prospect putting up power numbers — at least he was. The Dominican sits fourth in the Florida State League with five homers and third in OPS. But the surge has been put on hold as the 21-year-old hasn't played since April 27, suffering a right quad strain. The strain is described as moderate by a team official, so it may still be a few weeks before Muñoz returns to launching in Dunedin. Potential FCL pitching risers The lowest level of Toronto's affiliates kicked off play Saturday in the Florida Complex League. One name to watch in the FCL is lefty pitcher Johnny King, the Blue Jays' third-round pick in 2024. King has a fastball touching 95 mph and a nasty curveball. His physical makeup (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and mental maturity make the Blue Jays optimistic King is a future big leaguer. Right-hander Silvano Hechavarria is another potential FCL riser. The 22-year-old Cuban had 57 strikeouts and a 1.84 ERA in 10 Dominican Summer League starts last year. His fastball sits around 92 mph, but can touch 96. If Yesavage and Stephen graduate from Dunedin, Hechavarria could move up to fill a spot. (Top photo of right-hander Jake Bloss during spring training: Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)
Winnipeg Free Press
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Blue Jays activate Gold Glove outfielder Daulton Varsho off injured list
TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays activated outfielder Daulton Varsho off the 10-day injured list Tuesday ahead of a game against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Varsho started the season on the injured list as he continued to recover from a right shoulder procedure in September. He recently completed a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Varsho is in his third season with the Blue Jays. He hit .214 with 18 home runs and 58 runs batted in last season while earning his first Gold Glove for his play in the field. The Jays also activated right-handed pitcher Casey Lawrence a day after claiming him off waivers from Seattle. Right-hander Paxton Schultz and infielder Will Wagner were optioned to Buffalo in corresponding moves. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2025.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffalo Bisons ‘guarantee' spring temps at home opener – or you get a free ticket
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The 'Conehead Guarantee' won't be the only promise made at the ballpark during the Buffalo Bisons home opener next week. The Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, will 'Guarantee Spring' on Friday, March 28, during what will be the earliest home opener in team's 140-year history. Advertisement Bisons detail new food, promotions and sound system coming for 2025 season 'On Opening Day, it WILL BE 50 DEGREES at first pitch!' the team promised in a press release, emphasizing the promotion in bold text. 'But if it's not, all fans in attendance will be able to exchange their game ticket at the Sahlen Field Box Office for a FREE TICKET for a March/April Bisons game at Sahlen Field.' Gates open at 1 p.m. ahead of the 2:05 p.m. first pitch against the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will also receive a 2025 magnetic schedule. And, of course, all fans 21 and up can get in on the 'Conehead Guarantee' from the team's legendary beer vendor: 'Get a warm beer from me, you drink it for free!' Catching up with 'Conehead' at Sahlen Field Advertisement Although Buffalo set a record high temperature earlier this week, touching 76 degrees, temperatures look cooler next week, with highs in the 40s. Stay tuned to the latest 4Warn Forecast to check on the likelihood of cashing in on the team's guarantee. Opening Day continues to creep earlier and earlier for the Bisons. Last year, fans received commemorative ice scrapers when the team opened on March 29, with a gametime temperature of 43 degrees. This will be at least the third consecutive season the club has started play in March, after never previously playing a game before April 1. Manager Casey Candaele is back for a fifth season with the Bisons in 2025. Fans can see Blue Jays top prospects like infielder Orelvis Martinez and starting pitcher Jake Bloss, who were recently optioned from Major League camp. Bisons tickets can be purchased here. Advertisement * * * Nick Veronica is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as the Digital Executive Producer in 2021. He previously worked at NBC Sports and The Buffalo News. You can follow Nick on Facebook, Twitter and Threads. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
