BUFFALO, N.Y. — Tuesday is a big day in Buffalo sports history: the Toronto Blue Jays will host their first home game this season at Sahlen Field.

Fans will fill the stands to see the Blue Jays play, and it’s the first time in more than 100 years they will be able to watch Major League Baseball in person in Buffalo.

Last year, when the Jays started playing in Buffalo, fans were so hungry to get a glimpse they started congregating on the ramps to the 190 that are near the ballpark. 

This year they won't have to do that as they'll be welcomed inside. Fans, and those famous cut-outs, will fill the stadium.

For anyone heading out to a game, there are a few very important things you need to know.

Each fan must present their own ticket and those tickets must be purchased right through the Blue Jays website. You'll then need to download the app called "Ballpark." That will serve as an electronic ticket.

Everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask when they're indoors at Sahlen Field, but not when they're sitting outside.

If you're sitting in a vaccinated section, you do need to show a photo ID and proof of vaccination when you enter.

Fans who are not vaccinated, but who are sitting in physically distanced seating, do not need to present proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test. If someone is under 16 years old, they can sit with someone in the vaccinated section without showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test. 

There will also be symptom screening and temperature checks at each entrance to the park.

While fans are excited at their chance to watch big-league baseball in person in Buffalo, the players say they're equally as pumped.

"Every team we play, they'd have more fans from the other team than we did," said Blue Jays Manager Charlie Montoyo. "Hopefully, it will become more of a home-field advantage, and be more comfortable for our players to play." 

"They were all cheering for the Rays," said pitcher Ross Stripling. "There were chants for Rays in, technically, our home stadium. We were all in the dugout like, 'man, this stinks.' Just to have some fans in the stands, get some energy in the stadium that's cheering for us, and excited for us, and wants us to win. That'll definitely be a big difference because you feed off that. We haven't had that in a long time."

"We'll feed off that energy," said infielder Marcus Semien. "I'm looking forward to seeing the stadium and the city. My family's there waiting for me, so that'll be nice."

 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement before the game, welcoming the Blue Jays to New York state and encouraging locals to get vaccinated at the pop-up clinic outside Sahlen Field:

"In the midst of a terrible pandemic that has exacted a huge toll on New Yorkers and people across the globe, the reopening of sporting events has given us hope for the future and a chance to root for the home team once again. The Toronto Blue Jays play their first game at Sahlen Field in Buffalo tonight with fully vaccinated sections thanks to a partnership between New York State and the Buffalo Bisons, and Erie County Medical Center will administer a new vaccination site at the field that will provide vouchers for free Bisons tickets and participation in a raffle for other prizes to anyone who gets vaccinated there. I look forward to the first pitch tonight and encourage New Yorkers who haven't yet been vaccinated to take advantage of this excellent opportunity. We've fought long and hard to defeat COVID-19, reopen the state and revitalize our economy, and tonight we're taking another step forward toward a brighter future. Go Blue Jays!" 

The game starts Tuesday at 7:07 p.m. against the Miami Marlins.

The next chance to get tickets will be on June 10, as the first eight games were sold out in under six hours.