As the Penticton Vees of the Western Hockey League prepared for their upcoming game against the Wenatchee Wild, Riley Pollock, the team’s communications director, pondered the clash between hockey and baseball fans eagerly anticipating the Blue Jays’ World Series appearance. Pollock, also known as the “Voice of the Vees,” acknowledged the tough decision fans faced in choosing between the two sporting events.
Acknowledging the prevailing baseball fever sweeping Canada, two B.C. Interior WHL teams, including the Penticton Vees, opted to embrace it by showcasing the World Series game on the arena scoreboard and rink televisions before their hockey matches. Following suit, the Kelowna Rockets planned a similar screening for the second game.
Pollock expressed the team’s excitement in celebrating the Blue Jays while attracting fans to their game, considering it a logical move. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays’ minor league affiliate, arranged an exclusive viewing party for select supporters but will host a public gathering for game four at a local pub.
The B.C. hospitality industry, currently grappling with a strike affecting liquor distribution, anticipates a much-needed boost from the World Series. Ian Tostenson, President of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association, highlighted the anticipated increase in sales during the game, providing a silver lining amidst the ongoing strike.
Tostenson emphasized the communal nature of sports events and their impact on businesses, noting the moderate reception of the baseball fever among West Coast sports enthusiasts. Despite not rivaling hockey or the Super Bowl in popularity, the World Series still presents an opportunity for establishments to capitalize on the event.
Overall, the convergence of hockey and baseball fervor in B.C. showcases the diverse sporting interests within the region, with businesses eager to leverage the World Series for economic gains.