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| On a drizzly December 23rd, joint-Santas Rob Butler and Rod Black greeted Leafs fans at Christie Pits. |
'Twas two nights before Christmas,
And down at the Pits:
A spontaneous fan fest,
A treat for the kids.
On Friday, December 22, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced an impromptu meet and greet would take place the following afternoon at Christie Pits. It was a chance for fans to take a break from the countdown to Christmas and grab some free swag.
The gathering was hosted by Rod Black, a member of the club's new ownership group, and Rob Butler, the Leafs' field manager.
Butler will be back for a second season as skipper, having guided the team to the IBL semi-finals this past summer.
Black is a legendary Canadian sports announcer who appeared on TV screens for over 30 years before he retired from TSN in 2021.
Together, Black and Butler played joint-Santas, welcoming fans to the Pits and handing out baseball bats and Leafs paraphernalia.
About 20 fans made the trek to Christie despite the drizzly day. Plenty of smiles, stories and good cheer abounded. Everyone gawked at an unexpected sight: Dominico Field's right field fence has been raised to double its previous height. One of the smallest ballparks in the IBL will present a new challenge for sluggers come 2024.
At yesterday's gathering, no actual kids were present, something that Black took note of. As part of the Leafs' new ownership, he envisions the club having a bigger presence and bigger draw in Toronto's sporting landscape. This could include more game-day activities around home ballgames, more promotions and celebrity guests, more excitement and definitely more kids.
"Parents don't drive kids to games, kids drive parents to games," Black said.
While yesterday's fan fest was spontaneous, plans are being formulated for more pre-season activities. This includes a news conference in February and a town hall a month before the start of next season.
