Toronto Blue Jays youth baseball programs see a boost in enrolment in wake of team's success
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The Toronto Blue Jays inspired and galvanized a nation. Will their run inspire more kids to play?
Many Little League organizations are hoping so. Many feel that Toronto's run to the World Series could help with a surge of youngsters signing up to the next Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
With the one day off in the Blue Jays schedule this week, Andrés Giménez is hosting a youth baseball camp.
Kevin Hussey, manager of operations at The Baseball Zone, is anticipating such an increase, and said that many companies will ride the wave for as long as possible.
When the next wave of registration happens, we certainly expect more volume than in a normal year
Hussey said that he saw a similar surge after the Blue Jays playoff run in 2015, which broke a 22 year playoff drought for Toronto.
When they playoffs again the following year, youth programs saw a 14% increase in enrolment the following Spring.
Many camps already at full capacity
While a surge in sign-ups is encouraging, it can also lead to problems, especially for programs and communities dealing with a lack of facilities.
«It's going to be tough in Toronto to handle,» he said. «That means you're going to have to turn kids away. - Howard Birnie, Leaside Baseball Association president
While this is unfortunate, as one never knows where the next big star will come from, they do the best they can.
Still, the Blue Jays success will help to usher in a new era of youth baseball across Ontario and the country.
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