Fans wishing to celebrate Halloween at Game 6 could be barred if costume isn’t ‘family friendly’, say Blue Jays

When the Toronto Blue Jay secured a spot in the World Series, Trish Logan of Brantford, Ont. decided to dress up the ghosts to represent fans who may have passed since the team's last World Series win 32 years ago. Fans attending tonight's World Series game in person are cautioned to wear a family friendly costume. Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor

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Folks lucky enough to have a ticket to tonight’s World Series game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto are welcome to wear a Halloween costume.

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However, the Blue Jays reserve the right to deny admission or remove anyone wearing garments that are considered inappropriate or could detract from other fans enjoying the game.

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Your costume must be fun for the whole family. The Jays aren’t specific about this prohibition, but say on their MLB site that “costumes, clothing and accessories must be family-friendly.” 

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The Jays are explicit that any costume, whether or not it’s Halloween, “may not be obstructive” to the views of other fans.

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Your costume can’t be “disparaging” either – as much as you may wish to boo the LA Dodgers.

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Mascot costumes and apparel are not permitted.

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Also no commerce or politics. The Jays say that “costumes, clothing and accessories may not contain messages, graphics or other content that may be distracting, commercial, political, or intended to draw attention to international, political or other similar events, causes or conflicts.”  

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And, most of all, nothing offensive. Cultural appropriation is cited widely as falling into the offensive category. For example, Parents.com refers to tribal markings, headdresses, and turbans. The BBC in an article about how “offensive outfits became the real horror of Halloween” points to Justin Trudeau in blackface. 

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The Rogers Centre is explicit in prohibiting items that could be considered dangerous, such as weapons, even replicas or toy versions.

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Fans are, of course, encouraged to wear team gear.

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The Jays’ X account has provided a game day checklist for fans ahead of tonight’s game, saying that attendees should plan their route to the ballpark, arrive early and have their mobile tickets open at the gates.

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The Jays are a game away from creating a new chapter in baseball history. A Game 6 win will mean winning the World Series and taking home the Commissioner’s Trophy. 

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And a big payday bonus. This money comes from an MLB pool. According to MLB.com each postseason team receives a share of the money earned from playoff gate receipts. The World Series champion receives the highest percentage of the pool, followed by the World Series runner-up, and so on.

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For some of the Jay’s higher-paid players, like Vladamir Guerrero (who is making $28.5 million this season), the bonus expected to be $477,000 will seem like a drop in the bucket. But for new major leaguers like newly minted star pitcher, Trey Yesavage, who is only making just $57,000 this season, it will mean a lot more.

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And if they don’t win tonight, fans will put away their Halloween costumes and return for the seventh and final game, hoping the hometown team prevails.

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