The Fredericton Regent Mall hosted the Toronto Blue Jays for an autograph signing during their Winter Tour Jan. 17.
Hundreds of fans lined up wearing Blue Jays jerseys, ball caps, and carrying cameras with the hope of getting a signature and free winter toque from the three players who attended the signing.
One fan waited outside the mall since 5:00 a.m. for the doors to open at 7:00 a.m. to get in line for the Blue Jays 11:00 a.m. arrival.
Blue Jays pitcher Brett Cecil, first basemen Chris Colabello, and center fielder Dalton Pompey arrived for the autograph signing. All thee played significant roles coming into playoffs.
Later that day the players went to the Nashwaaksis Field House to host a baseball instructional clinic for select amateur baseball players from the Fredericton area in partnership with Baseball New Brunswick.
The next day the Blue Jays along with their mascot Ace visited the students and staff at the New Maryland Elementary School. They then travelled to CFB Gagetown to visit with military personnel.
Vice president of communications Jay Stenhouse said that the Blue Jays choose Fredericton this year to host the Winter Tour was because in the last six years they went to the Maritimes, but did not stop in Fredericton.
“Over the course of the Winter Tour we recognize that we have support and great fans across the country. Not just in Toronto, and we know all the fans can’t come to us.” said Stenhouse.
“We have a lot of great players across the country,” said Stenhouse. He hopes to create more baseball players through this tour.
Stenhouse said Cecil, Colabello, and Pompey’s availability and willingness has brought them to Fredericton.
During Sunday’s Amateur Baseball Event the Blue Jays showed the young players basic knowledge and the fundamentals of the game.
Stenhouse said the best part when attending the New Maryland Elementary School is giving the children the opportunity to say they met players from the Blue Jays.
“We go meet with the kids, do some sort of activity when ACE comes out,” said Stenhouse. “We do a meet and greet, spread the message of being fit, being active.”
The Blue Jays are visiting CFB Gagetown, “as chance to give back to fans who do so much for the country,” said Stenhouse.
“Every Sunday during home game we have what we call a Sunday Salute where we will bring in a member of the military,” said Stenhouse. “We bring them on field, standing ovation, and a player presents them with a personal jersey.”
“It’s our way to show our appreciation to the military.” he said.
Stenhouse said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility the Blue Jays will return to Fredericton in the future although they plan to go West nest year.
“Look at the response today; there is no reason to not come back here.”
