We are almost a month into spring, and yet the winter weather keeps hanging around like a brother-in-law sleeping on your couch who insists he has “a few good leads” on potential jobs. The Royals have already had three games postponed due to inclement weather, and among the thirteen games they have played, nine have been played with a gametime temperature of 45 degrees or colder.
You wouldn’t think Toronto would be a respite from the cold weather, but in baseball it is, due to the retractable roof on the Rogers Centre. Or at least, ordinarily that would provide a safe, climate-controlled game environment. But apparently, Mother Nature is just dead set on postponing Royals games. Apparently some ice fell onto the roof of Rogers Centre, putting a hole in it, and jeopardizing tonight’s game.
The Royals say the game in Toronto tonight is in jeopardy tonight because ice fell on the roof of Skydome and created a hole and it is really cold.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) April 16, 2018
Inside the Rogers Centre, they’ve set up buckets to catch water coming in from the spring storm. Crew are still working on the field to set up for the game. https://t.co/hYqO9JT5t1 pic.twitter.com/Bgkp0VFkJx
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) April 16, 2018
A tarp in RF and a hole. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/hvIZIdCnKj
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) April 16, 2018
The Toronto Blue Jays are currently working with CN Tower and Toronto Police Service to assess the conditions around Rogers Centre and the viability of playing tonight’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 16, 2018
We will continue to assess the situation and provide an update shortly.
The Rogers Centre (formerly known as SkyDome) opened in 1989 with a state-of-the-art retractable roof that allows the team to avoid what can be harsh Canadian weather in early spring and late fall. The stadium sits next to the famous CN Tower, a 553-meter tall tower, that was the world’s tallest free-standing structure until 2007.
A closer look at the barriers by the @TourCNTower, @RipleysAquaCA + @RogersCentre in downtown Toronto. Police and security on hand reminding people to keep a safe distance away. @globalnewsto #onstorm pic.twitter.com/DKxEikyhO1
— Shallima Maharaj (@ShallimaMaharaj) April 16, 2018
Winds have been high in Ontario, causing for dangerous conditions near the stadium, which has prevented crews from assessing the damage to the roof. The concern would be that more ice could fall, causing further damage and endangering the lives of those inside.
All afternoon the wind has been blowing heavy snow and ice off the roof of the @RogersCentre and it comes crashing down loudly. No warning signs and we’ve been nervous every time someone walks underneath. (Listen with sound on.) #onstorm pic.twitter.com/yp1YYfV43O
— Josh McConnell (@joshmcconnell) April 15, 2018
Perhaps this is just bad karma for the Blue Jays, who were bragging about their roof on Twitter not that long ago.
This is why we love having a roof. Just saying.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 6, 2018
For some reason, the Blue Jays did delete this tweet today pic.twitter.com/74gtPFW7a3
— Brandon H. (@BHIndepMO) April 16, 2018
It is unclear what would happen if Rogers Centre is unavailable for the entire three-game series. The weather is expected to improve in Kansas City, but it seems unlikely they would quickly turn around and travel back here for a series. In the past, games have been moved to the climate-controlled stadium in Milwaukee, but the Brewers are home this week. This is the Royals’ only trip to Toronto this year, and the Blue Jays will make the trip to Kansas City in August.
Update: The game is postponed. Doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow.
Tonight’s game in Toronto has been postponed. It will be rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader tomorrow, with a start time of 2:07 CT.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 16, 2018