The Toronto Blue Jays believe in supporting grassroots baseball initiatives as a means for kids to pursue their Big League Dreams. In 2008, the Blue Jays and various 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 2008, the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers were proud to once again sponsor the following divisions:
- Jays Mosquito Division
- City TV Rookie Division
- Rogers Digital Cable Pee Wee Division
- Jays Bantam Division
- Rogers Wireless Midget Division
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Registered participants in the sponsored divisions received the following:
- Two free tickets to a Blue Jays home game at Rogers Centre
- Team uniform crest
- Provincial Champions will be recognized on-field at Rogers Centre prior to the Blue Jays game on September 7, 2008.
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 |
For more information please contact Andy Lucacescu at (416) 341-1194.
Player of the Month Award
DESCRIPTION
The Player of the Month Award is given monthly to players in the divisions of Baseball Ontario.
Winning candidates are selected based on the following categories:
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Excluding baseball, in what community activities is the candidate currently involved? (eg. Scouts, volunteer initiatives)
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Does the candidate excel in academics? Has the candidate demonstrated continued growth each year in school? What is the candidate's best subject?
PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
How has the candidate performed in regular season play? In tournament play?
SPORTSMANSHIP
Does the candidate demonstrate a leadership role on the team? Has the player exemplified great sportsmanship towards opposing teams and officials?
AWARD
Each award winner recieves:
- Four tickets to the game of the pregame ceremony
- Autographed hat
- A personalized plaque recognizing the individual's accomplishment
- Group discount for friends and teammates to attend the game
Baseball Ontario Day — September 7, 2008
On September 7, Provincial Champions in each of the five sponsored divisions were invited to participate in the "Parade of Champions" which took place on field at Rogers Centre prior to the Jays game.
Here's a list of those who participated:
| SERIES | TEAM |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. AAA | Whitby Chiefs |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. AA | Hamilton Cardinals |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. A | Stratford |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. B | St. Thomas |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. C | Leamington |
| City TV Rookie Ball Sr. D | Essex |
| Jays Minor Mosquito AAA Division | Mississauga Majors |
| Jays Minor Mosquito AA Division | Stratford Indians |
| Jays Minor Mosquito A Division | North London Nationals |
| Jays Mosquito AA Division | Newmarket |
| Jays Mosquito B Division | Wyoming |
| Jays Mosquito C Division | Simcoe |
| Jays Mosquito D Division | Exeter |
| Rogers Digital Cable Minor PeeWee AAA | North York |
| Rogers Digital Cable Minor PeeWee A | Chatham |
| Rogers Digital Cable PeeWee A | Aurora Jays |
| Rogers Digital Cable PeeWee B | Stratford |
| Rogers Digital Cable PeeWee C | Listowel |
| Rogers Digital Cable PeeWee D | Ingersoll |
| Jays Minor Bantam A | Richmond Hill Phoenix |
| Jays Bantam AAA | Hamilton Cardinals |
| Jays Bantam D | Exeter |
| Rogers Wireless Minor Midget AA | Peterborough Tigers |
| Rogers Wireless Midget A | Stratford |
| Rogers Wireless Midget C | Wyoming |
| Rogers Wireless Midget D | Listowel |
Fundraising Program
The Toronto Blue Jays want to help you support your local baseball association. The Fundraising Program can help your organization or team in the following ways:
- Raise money for your team/league
- Blue Jays are offering all teams special discounts to all Blue Jays games throughout the season
- Tickets are printed at full price-your customers see how much they are saving
- Opportunities to take part in other programs
- Play Where The Jays Play
- Seventh Inning Stretch
- Group Leader Incentives
- And many more programs to come!
Instructional Clinics
Each season, General Motors and its dealers are proud to support Toronto Blue Jays Instructional Baseball Clinics across Ontario. GM Clinics offer players exceptional instruction by the Blue Jays development staff, a commemorative T-Shirt and Ball Cap and the chance to catch a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre on behalf of GM and its Dealers. For more information please contact John Milton at (416) 464-5309.
Community