Community
The Toronto Blue Jays believe in supporting grassroots baseball initiatives as a means for kids to pursue their Big League Dreams. In 2009, the Blue Jays and Rogers operating companies once again partnered with Baseball Ontario to provide youth in this province the opportunity to participate in funded amateur baseball programs.
In 2009, the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers were proud to once again sponsor the following divisions:PROGRAM BENEFITS
Registered participants in the sponsored divisions received the following:REGISTRATION NUMBERS
In 2008, Baseball Ontario experienced a 80% increase in participation numbers in the five sponsored divisions over 2007. This represents a 129% increase in registration numbers since 2006.
| DIVISION | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citytv Rookie Division | 2,282 | 3,507 | 6,696 |
| Jays Mosquito Division | 3,709 | 3,964 | 6,678 |
| Rogers Digital Cable Peewee Division | 2,672 | 3,396 | 6,022 |
| Jays Bantam Division | 1,865 | 2,582 | 4,403 |
| Rogers Wireless Midget Division | 1,328 | 1,598 | 3,325 |
| Totals | 11,856 | 15,047 | 27,124 |
To register your team for free, visit www.baseballontario.com.
Each month from May to September, the Blue Jays recognize five outstanding individuals with the Blue Jays Amateur Player of the month awards. This award is presented to the very best in each of the Blue Jays and Rogers sponsored divisions of Baseball Ontario. Recipients are selected based on four criteria: (CAPS) Community involvement, Academic performance, Personal accomplishments, and Sportsmanship. Award recipients are recognized during an on field presentation with a Blue Jays player prior to the Jays game. Winners are presented with a commemorative plaque, an autographed Blue Jays cap and four field level tickets to enjoy the game.
AWARD| DIVISION | MAY | JUNE |
|---|---|---|
| Citytv Rookie Division | Connor Hicks Markham | Braeden Conrod Newmarket |
| Jays Mosquito Division | Michael Falcone Vaughan | Adam Carson Tillsonburg |
| Rogers Digital Cable Peewee Division | Casey Jones Bolton | Nick Capitano Bolton |
| Jays Bantam Division | Nicholas Chow Richmond Hill | Daniel Peake Mississauga |
| Rogers Wireless Midget Division | Jason Rubinstein Thornhill | Anthony Ricciardi Thornhill |
Each season, the Toronto Blue Jays offer amateur baseball Instructional Clinics across Ontario. These Clinics offer players exceptional instruction by the Blue Jays development staff as well as a commemorative T-shirt and ball cap. For more information please contact John Milton at 416-464-5309.
Pitch, Hit & Run is a grassroots initiative in which youngsters ages 7-14 have the opportunity to showcase their skills in pitch, hitting and running. Boys and girls participate together, with winners advancing from local competitions to sectional competitions to individual MLB team championships and finally the national finals at the All-Star Game. This competition is free for all youngsters.
Nearly 4,000 local competitions are hosted throughout the United States and in Canada. Local competitions begin in conjunction with Major League Baseball's Opening Day. More than 200 sectional competitions determine which youngsters advance to their respective MLB Team Championship.
Register for FREE today at www.mlb.com/phr to receive a Local Administrator Kit. Your kit will include materials such as promotional posters, registration forms, award ribbons, a "Strike Zone" banner for pitching and other information so you can start planning this fun 1-day event for the youngsters in your community.
Local competitions will take place from March 1 - mid May. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact PHR Headquarters: pitchhitrun@mlb.com. We look forward to your participation in the Official Skills Competition of Major League Baseball!
The Toronto Blue Jays assist our community partners with baseball programming developed for students with special needs. The Club works with specials needs groups to ensure that children, regardless of ability, are given the opportunity to play baseball and realize that yes, everyone belongs.
Each season, more than 200 excited participants take part in the Toronto Blue Jays' annual "Everyone Belongs" t-ball game and skills Clinic at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays are extraordinarily proud of these children their volunteer coaches and staff. A fun-filled day of baseball is had by all as the children take to the field and enjoy the day along side some of their favourite Blue Jays players.
Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth (PLAY)
Run by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), this initiative promotes healthy living by teaching children and their families the importance of staying fit, being active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent childhood obesity. Club athletic trainers schedule activities focusing on fitness and nutrition at their ballparks for between 75-200 children with a focus on children ages 10-13.
In 2008, the Toronto Blue Jays partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to host 100+ children at Rogers Centre for their inaugural PLAY event. Children received instruction from the Blue Jays training staff as well as special guests John McDonald, Aaron Hill & Scott Richmond.
For more information on PLAY, please visit http://pbats.com/index.php?page=play
Buses for Baseball gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend a Major League game and meet their favourite players.
The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids who need more chances to smile.
At each ballpark, the kids are welcomed by players who spend time signing autographs, giving away souvenirs and posing for photographs. Complimentary food and soft drinks during the game - and often the chance to see their own faces on the scoreboard - provide lasting memories before the bus heads home.
To date, Buses for Baseball has provided an unforgettable trip to Major League games for over 7,000 disadvantaged youth from more than 167 different organizations.
For more information on Buses for Baseball please call 416-341-1311.
The Toronto Blue Jays are pleased to offer special discounted rates for youth baseball and softball teams in select sections throughout Rogers Centre. The discount is valid for any game throughout the 2009 regular season and can be used as a fundraiser, team building event or Play-Where-the-Jays-Play package. Teams will also receive a special group welcome on the video display ribbon board during the game!
For more information please contact the Blue Jays Group Development Department at 416-341-1188 or e-mail groupsales@bluejays.com for more information.
Toronto Blue Jays are proud supporters of Amateur Baseball in Canada. The Blue Jays are pleased to welcome players from across Canada who will be participating in the 2009 Canadian National Bantam Baseball Championships in Vaughan and North York. Players and coaches have been invited to Rogers Centre August 19th to watch batting practice and take part in a pre game "Parade of Champions" on field. Players will receive a Blue Jays cap, food voucher and ticket to enjoy the game. For many participants from across Canada, this is their first visit to a Major League Ball Park.
Vaughan Baseball Association and Baseball Canada present the 2009 Canadian National Bantam Baseball Championships this year from August 19 - 24.
Teams Include:North York Baseball Association and Baseball Canada present the 2009 Bantam Girls National Championship August 21-23, 2009. Bond Park North York, Ontario
Teams Include Provincial All Stars from:
