Could The MLB Come To Vancouver?

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Despite having the space for a MLB team, and a development team already in the city at the Nat, and interest shown in the past from the league, a team does not exist in Vancouver, and hasn’t ever in the history in the league.

The MLB in Vancouver is not a foreign idea in the slightest. In the past, it was actually one of the ideas behind the original construction design of BC Place. Because of when the MLB season takes place, and the weather that happens in the area during the same time, any team that resides here would have to play in a domed arena.

Historically, the city has already hosted games here as well, starting well before the year 2000. IN 1983, the first ever indoor baseball game was played in Canada. It was for the MLB Old-timers exhibition game, which featured players like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron.

Vancouver is also a passionate sports city. We’ve seen it when the Canucks are in the playoffs. If you’re in Rogers Arena during a playoff game, you know how loud it can get, or even in local bars that are playing the game on the screens around the premises. There’s also the passion and protests that are going on right now to support keeping the Vancouver Whitecaps in the city, despite the best efforts from the current ownership group of the team.

There are some issues though that are standing in the way of hosting an MLB team in the city. The first is where they would play. BC Place is now mostly used for football and soccer games, and has had issues in the past with lighting and grass or turf quality.

There’s also the issue of land costs to build a new stadium as well. As anyone that has tried to buy a house, build a house, or even live in the city has known over the last couple of years, land is costing a premium right now. Finding an area, let alone downtown, for a stadium is going to be expensive for the city, and may even be impossible.

The thing with having a MLB team in the city is that it would be the second Canadian team in the league. There is already an existing baseball fanbase in the city that is torn between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays. Having a team in their own backyard would bring them to the team.

Only time will tell if there’s anything that will be done to bring a team to the city, but for the fans that currently live here, here’s to hoping there will be.