Q: When were the Blue Jays founded?

A: Folklore has it that the Bluejays were founded circa 1987 A.D. by a group of Parsonage Lane residents. Disgruntled with their lack of playing time on such inept teams as the Pirates, Indians and Red Sox, they revolted, took their balls and went home. Shortly thereafter these revolting players formed their own team.

Q: How did the Blue Jays get their name?

A: This was a source of great debate among the charter members. They were divided into two factions; one preferring the "Blue Jays" and the second preferring the "Raiders". The two groups argued with such vehemence, rancor and bitterness that ill will remains even to this day. The Blue Jays name won out when it was decided that it better reflected the flighty nature of the players' personalities.

Q: Have the Blue Jays ever won a championship?

A: Not until the new milennium. They won it all in 2000. See the magnificent story of this milestone by clicking on the Championship Season. They did reach the finals in 1996. In true Bluejay fashion, they were humiliated by the Senators 21-3. Their dastardly opponents scored eleven runs in the top half of the first. The Bluejays responded in the bottom of the first by starting to plan the year end party.

Q: Do the Blue Jays have uniforms?

A: Yes, they wear very pretty light blue T-shirts. The shirts show the player's name on the back with the moniker "a rare old bird" inscribed below it. The T-shirts were selected and purchased by the wives of the original Bluejays. They thought shirts would raise the level of play. No such luck. The dawning of the 21st century brought sleek, new, fashionable uniforms to the Bluejays. Some of the older Bluejays refuse to wear these modern togs because they'd rather live in the past.

Q: Do women attend Bluejays games?

A: Sadly, no more. In bygone days it was not uncommon for spouses and girl friends to attend games. Even female passers-by would stop to watch. But attendance by women tailed off as the Bluejays got older and uglier. In recent years the Bluejays have recruited young, handsome, virile players. This is an obvious attempt to recapture the distaff audience but, alas, the gentle gender have yet to return. Nor have these players improved the team.

Q: How do I become a Bluejay?

A: If you are a wannabe athlete who was an abject failure at any level of participation in sports (Little League, Pony League, Jr High, Varsity), then you have the first qualification.

Q: What other qualifications do I need?

A: You must be able to consume large quantities of beer and withstand torturous psychological pain and ridicule from other Bluejays players.

Q: Is that all?

A: No, of course not, you fool. You will be required to host at least one post-game party and provide beer and food for your teammates who will show absolutely no gratitude for your generosity. If they really like your party, they will throw your chairs over the side of the deck.

Q: What if I host a post-game party and run out of beer?

A: Be advised that such a misfortune is considered by the Bluejays to be the most grievous and heinous of offenses. You will bear this burden for life, as you will be reminded constantly of your faux pas. You may even be ostracized by the Bluejays, which at this point may not be a bad thing.

Q: What's this about a year end party?

A: Yes, there is one final bacchanal celebration after the season ends. The precedent for this was set by Dave Ankeles. At the first year end party he served a concoction called "Bang-Bang", a 180 proof mixture of alcohol and pure alcohol. He guaranteed that it would "cure all that ails you". The Bluejays had many shots of this potion. Later that evening the Bluejays were magically transported to the Cabaret Lounge, after which they went home to their poor wives.

Q: How safe is it to play on the Blue Jays?

A: The Blue Jays do not meet OSHA requirements and, in fact, reject any and all safety standards. If you are concerned about personal injury, ponder this: three Bluejays suffered major injuries that resulted in surgery, hospitalization and/or extended periods away from their day jobs.

Q: Who injured themselves and how did they do it?

A: The first was Carl Roberts. He was struck in the right knee by a slow ground ball to third. Carl bravely finished the game but the next day his leg was bigger than the winning pumpkin at the Topsfield Fair. Carl spent the next month in bed, flat on his back, with his leg propped up while a broken blood vessel healed.

Q: Wow, that sounds pretty bad. Who else?

A: You ain't heard nothin' yet. The second was Chris Plunkett. Chris shattered his left knee while attempting to make a throw to second after picking up a single to short left. He landed on the grass after turning three somersaults and said "I've fallen and I can't get up". Chris was carefully carried off the field and gently placed in the Herrick Mobile for a trip to the emergency room. He had surgery the next day to repair extensive cartilage damage.

Q: You guys sure are injury prone. Who was the third one?

A: Being an athletic bunch the Bluejays got together to play basketball one night at Proctor School. Norm Langlois proceeded to tear his right Achilles tendon. After being told by other Bluejays that he was ok, Norm drove home using his left foot only. Fortunately, his wife Olga did not believe the Bluejays diagnosis and immediately took him to the emergency room. Surgery and rehab followed.

Q: Have there been many minor injuries?

A: Oh, yes, quite a few. Other Bluejays have suffered minor injuries when they failed to get out of the way of a pitched ball (this is slow-pitch, remember?), tripped while running the bases, collided with each other when trying to field, pulled muscles during batting practice, or threw out their arms playing catch in the pre-game warmup.

Q: Where is the next post-game/pre-game/year-end/no reason party?

A: A most important question. Bluejays ask this question more often than they ask their kids, "Where's your mother?". Stay tuned to this website to find out. Just click on the SCHEDULES link on our home page.

Q: One last question: Why do you have two different spellings for Blue Jays/Bluejays?

A: That's very attentive of you to notice. These are not mis-spellings. "Blue Jays" as two words is used to describe the institution or entity, i.e. the team named for the vertebrate covered with brightly colored feathers. The single word "Bluejays" is meant to describe the human element and encompass the unique persona, nature, and character of the players in this institution. This is a subtle but distinct difference and because you noticed it, we are making you an honorary Bluejay.