Some members of the Toronto Blue Jays are coming to town this week and excitement is building amongst the players.
Well, at least from its starting catcher.
“I’m pumped.… I’ve heard the people in Halifax are first, first class,” J.P. Arencibia said in Ottawa on Monday.
“They say that they’re the best ‘ really nice people. So I’m looking forward to that because I like nice people.”
The Blue Jays are touring select cities in Eastern Canada all this week and have a full day of events scheduled in Halifax on Thursday.
The itinerary includes a visit to St. Stephen’s Elementary School in the morning to preach the importance of healthy living to students, then a stop at CFB Halifax just before noontime.
Fans will have access to the players during an autograph session between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. inside the Halifax Metro Centre prior to a QMJHL game between the Mooseheads and Drummondville Voltigeurs.
To attend the session, fans must purchase a ticket to the 7 p.m. game. Three current and one former Blue Jay will be coming to Halifax and be taking apart in a ceremonial faceoff prior to the game.
Joining Arencibia in Halifax will be starting pitcher Brett Cecil, outfielder Eric Thames and former all-star second baseman ‘ and recent Hall of Fame inductee ‘ Roberto Alomar.
“If you’re going to go out and make an effort to reach out to these communities, you want to make sure you are well represented, as well. It’s imperative you have some star power out there,” said Mal Romanin, who works in the Blue Jays media department “You don’t want to have your 25th man on the roster representing everybody.… And trust me, the guys love it.”
This winter Jays tour kicked off last year with the players visiting western Canadian cities. It’s the East’s turn this year, with Halifax one of two Atlantic Canadian stops. The players will leave Halifax on Friday for St. John’s.
“There’s a lot of fans out there, which is indicative of the TV ratings, so we felt it imperative to get out and see the rest of the country and meet with some of the fans,” Romanin said.
