The state of Pennsylvania will not allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic, health officials announced Wednesday.
“In the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Dr. Rachel Levine, the state’s secretary of health, said in a statement. “Adding travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sporting events, risks residents, visitors, and members of both teams. We know that this virus does not discriminate and can even make professional athletes seriously ill. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Pennsylvania residents. “
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The Blue Jays and Pirates had been waiting to see if they would get state permission to continue the plan for PNC Park to replace the Rogers Center, according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on public.
Canada denied the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto because the regular season schedule would require frequent round-trip travel from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are emerging. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve.
But the number of new confirmed coronavirus cases reported daily by Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, has increased tenfold in the past two weeks, compared to the two weeks in June prior to what officials called an alarming increase in cases. .
Health officials have attributed the spread mainly to bars and restaurants that ignored social distancing orders, as well as to residents returning from their trips to virus hotspots. To curb the spread, health officials have issued a cascade of orders to close bars and restaurants, restrict food service, and recommend that people returning from certain states isolate themselves at home for 14 days.
The agreement to share the stadium with the Pirates was pending state approval, according to other officials who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity the previous Wednesday because they were not authorized to speak prior to the government’s decision.
Pirates president Travis Williams previously confirmed the talks to host the Blue Jays and seemed willing to welcome them if it could be done safely. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he was excited about the PNC Park option and Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he would have no problem moving the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said this week that his team has more than five contingency plans for a local stadium and was in talks with other teams. He refused to name them.
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If the Blue Jays can’t find a major league park, Atkins said their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, New York would be their most likely site for home games. But based on what the players want and the collaboration they’re getting from other teams and the Major League Baseball, Atkins said the Blue Jays focus on big-league parks as long as they can be sure. He said that health and safety are the priority, so the ability to be socially distant without understanding the ability of other teams to maintain social distance is important.
Toronto begins the season at Tampa Bay on Friday and is slated to play its first home game on July 29 against defending champion Washington.
The team had been considering playing at home at its training facility in Dunedin, Florida, but that’s one of the states that are virus hotspots.
