The Curve Ball gala takes over the Rogers Centre for the Jays Care Foundation

Jose Bautista with a fan

More than 1,000 VIP guests gathered for a gala right on the field of the Rogers Centre for the well-attended annual Curve Ball, up from 800 in the previous year. This year the theme was “denim and diamonds”. The large field had upscale silent auction items in glass displays as well as a baseball bat gallery with one-of-a-kind baseball bats signed by the corresponding Blue Jays players available for bidding as well. There was a lot of demand for customizing Blue Jays New Era baseball caps. The youth from the Toronto Community Housing Rookie Leaguers got to walk onto the field alongside the Toronto Blue Jays and also got their Blue Jays jerseys signed.

The evening was emceed by Sportsnet’s Evanka Osmak and Jamie Campbell. Entertainment was provided by Soular entertaining guests with top 40 hits. An Acura Home Run Draw featured a raffle prize of an SUV, a 2013 Acura RDX.

R.A. Dickey, Evanka Osmak Photo: Michelle Prata

Brett Lawrie, John Tory Photo: Michelle Prata

Besides the Blue Jays, other notable guests included John Tory, Carrie-Lynn Neales (Seed TV), Tracy Moore (Cityline), and Randal Edwards (Package Deal star).

“It’s a tremendous fundraiser, one of our biggest events,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “The Jays Care Foundation does a lot of great events, but as far as a night out, the players really enjoy it as well. They get to relax and interact with the fans at more of a laid-back pace and it’s done really, really well.”

Congrats for raising $950,000 in support of the Jays Care Foundation!

Some tweets from Curve Ball

Had a great time at the #curveball because of my new friend @carrielynndor. Wow – you crack me up! cc:@Seed_tv pic.twitter.com/G1eXecnT21

— Tracy Moore (@tracycityline) May 14, 2013

.@jparencibia9 posing with his "YOGI!" @GCbatco bat at the #CurveBall! pic.twitter.com/IYN1wtWR53

— Jays Care Foundation (@JaysCare) May 13, 2013

Great night, with great people, for an even greater cause! @jayscare @jcfyoungpros #CurveBall pic.twitter.com/1WXgLrvvQJ

— Ally Carlson (@AllyCarlson02) May 14, 2013

.@CarrieLynndor & @randal_edwards from @city_tv's @Seed_tv & @PackageDeal_TV together @ the Rogers Centre #CurveBall pic.twitter.com/ThMxY9f2fR

— City PR (@Citytv_PR) May 13, 2013

Stealing second. Think you're safe. @randal_edwards pic.twitter.com/LnAoPmQf8P

— Carrie-Lynn Neales (@CarrieLynndor) May 14, 2013

We are thrilled to announce that, with your help, the #Curveball raised $950,000!!! #MillionDollarThankYou pic.twitter.com/7qwccmKxJJ

— Jays Care Foundation (@JaysCare) May 17, 2013

Check out one of the bats featured at the Curve Ball created by Jon Shaw. The bat features imagery based on Blue Jays Melky Cabrera (#53)’s interests, signed by Cabrera himself and sold at the silent auction with funds raised going to the Jays Cares Foundation.

The decorated dining area at the Rogers Centre for the Curve Ball

The customized Jays Care pitcher’s mound at the Rogers Centre

ABOUT CURVE BALL AND THE JAYS CARE FOUNDATION
The Curve Ball is one of many charitable events the Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation hold each year to pump money and resources back into communities across the country. Provincial-wide, underprivileged youth have been able to participate in baseball programs in properly equipped facilities and get instruction from their favourite Blue Jays players. The dedicated efforts of the Jays Care Foundation led to the Blue Jays being named the 2012 recipient of the MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.

The Jays Care Foundation has invested more than $7.5 million in Canada’s children and communities.

For more information visit http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/community/

Also check out our coverage of the 100th Grey Cup gala which also took over the Rogers Centre. So if you love baseball and get the opportunity, you should definitely get tickets and join the annual Curve Ball gala.