After playing the first two months of the 2021 season at their Dunedin, Fla. facility, the Blue Jays are moving to their second temporary home of the year: Buffalo’s Sahlen Field.
The Blue Jays first played at Sahlen Field in 2020 when regular border crossings for big-league teams and their travelling parties were not permitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a rapid renovation, the Blue Jays made Buffalo their temporary home and despite the extraordinary circumstances they went 17-9 there.
Now, some fans will be allowed to attend in person, which necessitated a more complete renovation to the ballpark as concourses can no longer be used for batting cages or player workout areas.
The latest round of renovations at Sahlen Field includes new bullpens in right field, new outfield grass, a new warning track, new batting cages, new light poles with LED lights and upgrades to the player facilities (including home clubhouse, weight and cardio rooms, player lounge and a hydrotherapy room).
The Blue Jays have consistently said they hope to return to Toronto and play out of Rogers Centre at some point in 2021, but will work in conjunction with health authorities to be sure any attempts to do so are as safe as possible.
Here are some images from Sahlen Field, where the Blue Jays are preparing to play the Miami Marlins Tuesday…
First look at the 2021 upgraded Sahlen Field in Buffalo where the #BlueJays open series with #Marlins tonite () pic.twitter.com/qXSIXaMOk7
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) June 1, 2021
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) June 1, 2021
