Blue Jays' influence is huge

It could be that the short-term future of baseball in Ontario, and possibly Canada, is in the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Although registration numbers seem to be on the rebound after more than a decade of decline since the Toronto franchise celebrated back-to-back World Series, the sport could receive a significant boost at the grassroots level should the Blue Jays contend seriously for a post-season berth in September.
There’s nothing like a playoff run, or World Series title for that matter, to pique interest.
When you think back to 1992 and 1993, current Canadian players, such as Atlanta Brave Peter Orr and others now in or near the major leagues, were watching and developing new heroes.
In 1994, numbers hit their peak in this country on the heels of Blue Jays-mania and the payoff can be observed in significant major leaguers such as Jason Bay (Pittsburgh Pirates), Jeff Francis (Colorado Rockies) and Eric Harden (Oakland Athletics).
In all, 15 Canadians were on the rosters of 12 major league teams when the season opened earlier this week. Not far behind are another 79 Canucks at various minor league levels, chomping at the bit.
Many, at least the ones in their mid-20s, no doubt were influenced by the successes of the Blue Jays.
It really is no coincidence numbers have declined across the country as the Blues Jays fortunes have sagged.
The Blue Jays might not win a World Series title this season. They may not even earn a playoff berth, but they will likely at least put down the groundwork for the next few seasons when more impressionable youngsters are choosing a sports path.