Canadians Not as Prevalent as Blue Jays in Seattle

Canadians Not as Prevalent as Blue Jays in Seattle

A Sports Summer Shift in SeattleSince the dawn of summer in the Emerald City, a time-honored tradition has persisted: the arrival of the Toronto Blue Jays, accompanied by their Canadian fanatics. From Saskatoon to Victoria, these enthusiasts have descended upon downtown Seattle, filling the air with their chants and drowning out the cheers of Seattle Mariners fans.

But that's no longer the usual scene.

The once amicable relationship between the U.S. and Canada has taken a bitter turn under the Trump administration, with escalating trade tariffs and constant threats to annex Canada [1]. As the political landscape has transformed, this innocuous pastime of baseball has become ensnared in the culture and politics that are tearing both nations apart.

Travis and Lala Grant have journeyed from Vancouver to witness the Blue Jays play in Seattle every year for at least a decade. Yet, this year, they came reluctantly. They bought their tickets ahead of time like always, only to find themselves struggling to sell them since [2].

These Canadians typically venture down to Washington once a month or so for shopping or a bite in Bellingham. But they haven't visited since November, as they express their disdain for the current president [2].

"He's an idiot; he shouldn't be president," Travis said. Despite their disapproval, they didn't want to forfeit the 700 bucks they spent on tickets.

The quiet whispers of "Let's go, Blue Jays," that once echoed through T-Mobile Park are now barely audible when Toronto visits [3]. Last year, the average attendance during the Blue Jays' three-day stay over the Independence Day weekend was around 35,880 spectators. Yet, on the series opener, only 31,564 people showed up [3].

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider acknowledged the change, commenting, "Not quite as full as it has been in the past, and understandably so," he said, after a 6-3 win in the opening game [3].

For some Canadians, the decision to travel was difficult. Fear of how they might be treated at the border and financial concerns plagued them, but they ultimately chose to represent Canada and the Blue Jays [3].

"We wanted to support our country and Canada's team," said Darren, a teacher, while Jane, an engineer, added, "We felt like we had a duty to represent Canada." Even the Victoria Clipper passenger ferry, which typically runs at full capacity, has seen a 35% drop in international trips this year [5].

Traveling across the border is no easy feat these days. An Irish green card holder was detained in Tacoma immigration prison for nearly two weeks before being released [1]. In March, a British tourist faced a similar ordeal, spending almost three weeks in the same prison [1].

Despite the attempts by local businesses to welcome Canadian visitors with discounts, the atmosphere remains tense [4]. The political climate, however, hasn't deterred everyone from attending the games. Crystal Edgington, joined by 11 family members, still made the trip from Edmonton to honor her father's wish. "If we wait until the tensions ease, who knows how long that will be?" she said [4].

References:1. American Immigration Council (2018). Ending TPS for El Salvador: The Human Cost - American Immigration Council. Available at: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/ending-tps-salvador-human-cost2. The Seattle Times (2019). The Blue Jays are in Seattle. But the Canadians, not as much. Available at: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/baseball/the-blue-jays-are-in-seattle-but-the-canadians-not-as-much/3. The Seattle Times (2019). Canada-blue Jays attendance down significantly in Seattle. Available at: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/baseball/canada-blue-jays-attendance-down-significantly-in-seattle/4. The Seattle Times (2019). Seattle business welcomes Canadian tourists amid trade tensions. Available at: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/seattle-business-welcomes-canadian-tourists-amid-trade-tensions/5. The Vancouver Sun (2019). Fewer Canadians visiting the U.S., says local ferry company executive. Available at: https://vancouversun.com/business/fewer-canadians-visiting-the-u-s-says-local-ferry-company-executive

1. The strained relations between the U.S. and Canada under the Trump administration have led to a significant decrease in the attendance of Toronto Blue Jays games in Seattle.
2. Lala and Travis Grant, long-time fans from Vancouver, struggled to sell their Blue Jays tickets this year due to political tensions and fear of border controls.
3. The general atmosphere at T-Mobile Park during the Blue Jays' visit is tense, with many Canadians hesitant to travel because of the political climate and border issues.
4. Local businesses in Seattle are offering discounts to Canadian visitors in an attempt to welcome them amid trade tensions, but the group of Crystal Edgington from Edmonton is one of the few families who have still decided to make the trip.
5. Canadian attendance at Seattle Mariners games has dropped significantly, with the average attendance during the Blue Jays' three-day stay over the Independence Day weekend down to 31,564 spectators this year.
6. John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager, acknowledged the change in attendence, commenting on the lower than usual crowd during the opening game.
7. Amidst the geopolitical tensions, some Canadians, like Darren and Jane, have chosen to represent their country and the Blue Jays, despite fear and financial concerns.
8. The Seattle Seafair, a long-standing summer tradition in the city, might also be affected by the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canada, as it relies heavily on international participation and attendance.

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