In celebration of baseball’s bat and ball sporting cousin, the Toronto Blue Jays host the second Cricket Night at the Park presented by TD on Friday, May 10 (7:07 p.m.). The event highlights the crossovers between baseball and cricket – the second most popular sport in the world and growing in Canada every year – with appearances from international and local cricketers, memorabilia, cricket-themed activities, specialty concessions, and a cricket hat giveaway.

“Sport has an incredible power to bring people together by providing a sense of community through shared experiences,” said Michelle Seniuk, Vice President, Fan Experience, Toronto Blue Jays. “While cricket and baseball have historically had different fan bases around the world, Cricket Night at the Park introduces Canadians to the synergies between the two global sports and invites fans of both to cheer together at the ballpark.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy makes its first Canadian stop on the ICC multi-continent Trophy Tour at Rogers Centre, accompanied by ambassador and former captain of the West Indies Twenty20 International Team Carlos Brathwaite. Pre and in-game, fans can head over to section 130 to explore Cricket Canada memorabilia and get their photo taken with Brathwaite and the T20 World Cup Trophy.

“This crossover event with the Toronto Blue Jays demonstrates the growing reach of our sport and its ability to unite communities. Cricket Night at the Park is a testament to the global camaraderie that sports can foster,” said Brathwaite. “I look forward to meeting Toronto’s vibrant fans and sharing the joy of cricket with a new generation of enthusiasts.”

As Team Canada prepares to make its first ICC T20 World Cup appearance since 2007, members of the men’s and women’s national teams join the Blue Jays for Cricket Night at the Park. Men’s team captain Saad Bin Zafar will throw out the ceremonial first pitch accompanied by two of Team Canada’s vice captains.

In the WestJet Flight Deck, fans are encouraged to get their photo taken with Canadian cricketers and show their support for Team Canada by signing the custom “Good Luck Team Canada” wall. The ICC T20 World Cup begins on June 1 with Canada facing the USA.

Fans can learn and test their cricket swings with tips from Canada’s national team athletes at the cricket batting cages in sections 536 and 537. Fans can also check out TD’s cricket-themed photo-op, highlighting their support for Team Canada in section 537. In section 239, kids can join in the cricket fun by designing and decorating their own cricket bat.

For the foodies, the season’s third Fry Days with McCain offers a ‘Delhi’tine’ loaded fry recipe. A play on the Canadian classic poutine, the ‘Delhi-tine’ includes shredded paneer cheese and butter chicken sauce, served up in a reusable Blue Jays Helmet. The Outfield District is serving up a specialty snack and drink – a chai latte churro and ‘Sweep Shot Cooler’ cocktail with mango and citrus flavours.

The first 15,000 fans to the ballpark receive a unique Blue Jays White Cricket Hat giveaway (image here). Visit bluejays.com/cricket for more information on Cricket Night at the Park presented by TD.

The three-game homestand versus the Minnesota Twins continues Saturday, May 11, and wraps up on Sunday, May 12 with Jr. Jays Mother’s Day (1:37 p.m.), featuring activities designed to celebrate Mom to go along with the classic Jr. Jays fun. Tickets and event information are available at bluejays.com/promotions.