If you don’t, don’t panic, but, get out your wallet…!

The Toronto Blue Jays will open their 35th season Friday, when they host the Minnesota Twins at the Rogers Centre to a sold-out crowd.
The gates open at 5 p.m., with the first pitch set for exactly 7:07 p.m, while a pregame ceremony will honour both past and present players.

Well-versed fans purchased their tickets for the game early, as the Jays home opener has a reputation of quickly selling-out. Scalpers are well-aware of the situation, and tickets in the 500 section, which regularly cost between $11-14 are selling for between $100-150 each.

There will be more than 50,000 people watching Ricky Romero throw his first pitch. Romero won fourteen games last season, Brett Cecil won fifteen and Jojo Reyes has earned a spot with some strong work in the pre-season.

Some fans travelled from as far as Cobourg and Ottawa to get a chance to be at the home opener. One couple spent $140 for two tickets in the nosebleed section, which would normally retail for less than a fifth of that price.

“It’s really harsh, but we’re leaving tomorrow so we don’t really have a choice, we can’t go tomorrow after the game,” the couple from Cobourg said.

Regardless of where they have to sit or what they had to pay, most fans seem to be content just to be at the home opener, as many went home disappointed after failing to score a ticket.

“The atmosphere I think will be really good, so I’m not too worried,” one fan said. “There’s going to be a lot of people up there, it’s going to be fun – I think.”

Fans are hoping Jose Bautista can come close to matching the 54 he stroked last season, and they have high hopes for the Jays this season.

“Some of the trades they did, I think they actually might have a chance,” one fan said.

Meanwhile, Lori hopes the capacity crowd will be loud. “Toronto fans are too quiet, they have to get out there and be a bit more rowdy and cheer for their team,” she said.

Fans going to the game are being told to pack their patience, as there will be plenty of traffic downtown. Toronto Police is asking those who plan on having a few beers to take public transit, and R.I.D.E. stops will be in effect to catch impaired drivers.

Those who can’t make it down to the game can watch it on Sportsnet TV or listen on Sportsnet Radio.

GO JAYS GO!!