A minor league baseball team found itself at the center of controversy after more than a dozen players refused to wear Pride-themed uniforms, resulting in a forfeited game.
York Revolution Forfeits Pride Night Game
The York Revolution, a minor league team, cancelled their game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Thursday and accepted a loss after over a dozen players declined to wear rainbow sleeves for Pride Night. With fewer than nine players from the 28-man roster willing to don the uniforms, the team opted to cancel the game rather than force participation.
Despite the cancellation, the team proceeded with its Pride Night festivities as planned.
Team Statement on the Decision
“This decision was not reached lightly,” the team said in a statement. “Unfortunately, several of our players have refused to wear the scheduled Pride Night jersey and the club decided that hosting the event is more important than forcing players to wear jerseys they are not comfortable with and playing the game.” The statement added, “To be clear: This action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York.”
Team president and general manager Ben Shipley revealed that he was informed on Tuesday that the team would not have enough players for the game. He was unable to convince them to wear the uniforms. “I’m disappointed that we’re at this point and I recognize the players’ plight and their unwillingness to cross their line. I also think tolerance is not acceptance,” Shipley told NBC News. “I was just asking for tolerance from the team, and they were unwilling to navigate that with me.”
Donation and Ticket Redemption
The team also announced a US$10,000 donation to a local community centre focused on inclusivity. For fans who purchased tickets, the game was treated as a rainout, and tickets can be redeemed at any future game.
One Player Shows Support
At least one player, first baseman Jacob Teeter, showed up for the Pride Night event and expressed his support. “I came out tonight because this is a cause I believe in,” Teeter told the York Daily Record. “This is a wonderful event for a community to come together and rally around a thing that is my favourite thing in the world: Baseball.” He added, “If I have nothing else in common with a person but they enjoy baseball, I know we have a jumping-off point, we have a place to start a conversation. Unfortunately, there is no baseball to be played here tonight but it doesn’t mean we can’t make this a great evening on a baseball field.”
Context: San Francisco Giants Pride Incident
The Revolution’s forfeit comes less than a week after three pitchers on the San Francisco Giants were issued warnings for appearing at the team’s Pride Night game with Bible verses scrawled on their caps. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp and relievers J.T. Brubaker and Ryan Walker wore rainbow-themed hats with alterations. Roupp had “Gen 9:12-16” written on his cap, with the end of the verse continuing into the rainbow logo. Brubaker and Walker also sported the same verse. Reliever Sam Hentges opted not to wear the Pride cap at all, instead wearing the team’s regular hat.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations,” said Pat Courtney, MLB’s chief communications officer.
