Article MLB Roadshow 2015

MLB ROADSHOW 2015

MLB Returns to Montreal

Christopher Chartier

August 12, 2015

There is nothing better for a baseball fan than heading to a baseball field on a warm summer night to catch a Major League ballgame with the family; grab a hotdog and some peanuts. The sound of the ball hitting the glove, the crack of the bat, true sounds of summer.

Since 2005 Montreal has not had that option as there currently is no MLB team in Montreal. For the second year in a row the spirit of MLB returns to Montreal in the form of the MLB Roadshow. The MLB roadshow is a wonderful family event that features a batting cage, pitching area, sliding competition, and a homerun derby courtesy Playstation 4.

“Fun for every kind of personality.”

Mickey Shurpin from MLB International was happy to say.

There is nothing better being around baseball, and the kids loved this. Little league teams from all over Montreal were well represented, most coming in their baseball team uniforms to show off their skills.

Montreal was the third stop on MLB international, Canadian MLB Roadshow tour; Vancouver and Calgary were the other stops. All stops were well attended. Over 2000 people attended the Calgary stop that was held in conjunction with the Stampede.

”I have been really excited with the response we have got here in Montreal. Obviously when you go to the Calgary stampede and the Vancouver celebration of light they had a ton of people. So at the mall stop (in Montreal) we kind of expected a fewer amount of people, but that was not the case at all. We have been thrilled with the response.” Mickey Shurpin commented on.

For the second year the MLB Roadshow was held at Fairview Pointe-Claire and if you

looked closely you could even see some former Expos coaching the kids at the various

drills. Both Derek Aucoin and Denis Boucher were in attendance Saturday and in between

coaching and having fun with all the kids, they were happy to sign autographs for

the Attendees.

“It has been second to none as far as any of the other stops. We have had people here

constantly.” Mickey Shurpin was pleased to point out.

You were even able to get a great souvenir photo taken onsite with your favourite team’s

cap and Jersey, the Expos Jersey seemed to be the most popular to be taken a photo with.

All the events were free and prizes were given away all day.

On the Sunday the Roadshow continued

and Denis Boucher was back giving the

kids some great advice and even held

a formal autograph session at the Lids

inside Fairvew Pointe-Claire.

It was quite obvious the team that

was favoured by young and old were

the Montreal Expos. Youngsters with

Caps, their parents with Expos jerseys;

there was a definite Expos look and the

team of choice with the crowd.

“It is amazing the passion, whether they are from the city or surrounding area that the people have for the Montreal Expos. You go into stores you see Expos Hats, you see Expos Jerseys. You see Expos around town. It is my first time in Montreal quite honesty I was surprised how much passion people still have for the Expos. ”Mickey Shurpin commented on, Expos fans were there all weekend.

Even for one weekend the sounds of summer were back, signs of things to come most fans will tell you.

“The return of baseball to Montreal, it is looking really good, it is looking great. I think the mayor is on it and hopefully he can keep going. Hopefully MLB can expand or we can have a team move over here.” Denis Boucher, only one of three Quebec-born players to have played for the Expos.

The MLB Roadshow was a great success across Canada and they were very happy with the turnouts, and looking forward to coming back in 2016.