Meeting your favorite professional athletes can be an exciting and memorable experience for any sports fan. As a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, you may be wondering what options are available to meet the players up close. While it may not always be easy to cross paths with the players, there are some effective strategies you can use to increase your chances of an encounter.
Attend Games and Events
One of the best ways to see the Blue Jays players in person is to attend home games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Arrive early to batting practice to watch the players warm up and interact with fans seeking autographs. Sit near the Blue Jays dugout during games to get a close view of the players coming on and off the field. You can call out to them or hold up signs to try and get their attention. Attend giveaway days and theme nights when attendance is higher and the atmosphere more spirited. Special events like Blue Jays Winter Fest also provide access to current and former players.
Stay at the Team Hotel
When the Blue Jays are on the road, consider staying at the same hotel as the team. Call ahead to find out where they are staying, which is usually one of the nicer hotels in the city they are playing. Hang out in the lobby or restaurant in hopes of spotting the players coming and going. Be respectful if you do see them and politely ask for an autograph or photo. Do not intrude if they seem like they want privacy.
Participate in Charity Events
Blue Jays players make appearances and sign autographs at various charity events in Toronto throughout the year. Follow the Blue Jays and individual players on social media to find out about upcoming opportunities. Events for hospital visits, school readings, and fundraisers for foundations provide access in a controlled environment. Make a charitable donation if needed to take part in the event and get your memorabilia signed.
Go to Spring Training
Attend Blue Jays spring training in Florida to see the players up close in a relaxed preseason atmosphere. Fans can watch practices, get autographs before games, and interact with players in the small ballpark setting. Spring training has a fun, laidback vibe where players have more free time to mingle with fans. Just show up early and position yourself along the fence line or dugouts.
Wait Outside the Stadium
Waiting outside the player’s entrance and exit at Rogers Centre provides the opportunity to catch them as they come and go. This option requires patience and timing, but fans are sometimes rewarded with an autograph or quick chat if they wait long enough. Be respectful of the players’ space and privacy.Calling their name as they walk by is acceptable, but don’t overstep boundaries or do anything illegal.
Tips for Meeting Blue Jays Players
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when trying to meet your favorite Blue Jays players:
- Bring items for them to sign like balls, photos, jerseys, and baseball cards.
- Arrive very early – at least 2 hours before games/events.
- Wait near the dugout, clubhouse, or player parking areas.
- Politely ask them to sign an item or take a quick picture.
- Don’t interrupt their conversations or workouts.
- Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed at first.
- Attending multiple games and events will increase your odds.
- Having a child with you improves your chances.
- Following player’s social media can provide helpful tips on appearances.
Keep in mind that professional athletes have very demanding schedules and interactions with fans need to be brief. Have realistic expectations, be respectful of their space, and appreciate any encounter you are fortunate enough to have with a Blue Jays player.
Autograph Sessions and Appearances
In addition to the strategies above, there are organized autograph signings and public appearances you can attend:
Autograph Signings
Sports memorabilia stores will occasionally host private autograph signings where you can meet a Blue Jays player. You need to buy an autograph ticket in advance for the scheduled signing session. This is the easiest way to guarantee you will meet the player, get autographs, and likely take pictures. However, these ticketed events can be expensive.
Date | Player | Location | Time | Ticket Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 7, 2023 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Field of Dreams Store | 12pm-2pm | $125 |
April 13, 2023 | Marcus Semien | Jays Shop | 5pm-7pm | $100 |
Team Events
The Blue Jays organization will host events like the Winter Fest where fans can meet both current and former players. Season ticket holders also get invited to exclusive meet and greet events. Follow Blue Jays social media and email newsletters for announcements. Be ready to buy the special event tickets as soon as they go on sale.
Public Appearances
Players will sometimes make unpaid public appearances on behalf of charities or products they endorse. Attending events like hospital visits, school rallies, and store grand openings provide the chance to meet players in a public setting. Follow the players themselves on social media to find out about upcoming local appearances.
Join Blue Jays Nation Fan Club
Consider joining the official Blue Jays fan club called Blue Jays Nation. Members get access to exclusive experiences and contests to meet players. Perks include:
- Opportunities to attend batting practice on the field
- Chance to win meet and greet or autograph sessions
- First access to postseason tickets if the team makes playoffs
- Guaranteed tickets to Winter Fest and other events
- 10% discount on merchandise at official team shops
Membership levels start at $29 for kids under 14 and go up to $99 for VIP adult members. Many of the player interactions require the more expensive membership tiers. However, joining even at the basic level improves your odds over non-members.
Have realistic expectations
In the end, despite your best efforts, there is no foolproof way to guarantee you will meet your favorite Blue Jays stars. They have busy travel schedules and many demands on their time during the season. Be grateful for any brief encounters you manage to have. Don’t get discouraged if a long-awaited event or ballpark visit doesn’t produce the desired interactions. Keep trying and hopefully your persistence, patience, and respect will eventually be rewarded.
Conclusion
Meeting the Toronto Blue Jays players takes dedication and effort, but can create lifelong memories for diehard fans. Your best opportunities come from attending home games and events where the players are scheduled to appear. Arrive early, bring items to sign, and politely interact with them when possible. Joining fan clubs, following social media, going to spring training, and participating in charity events also improves access. While not guaranteed, using these strategies boosts your chances of finally meeting your favorite Blue Jays in person.