Minor League Baseball Team Forfeits Game After Players Refuse to Wear Pride Night Jerseys
· Yahoo Sports
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NEED TO KNOW
- Minor league baseball team the York Revolution canceled and forfeited their game on Thursday, June 18 after players refused to wear the Pride Night jerseys
- York Revolution said the decision "was not reached lightly" in a statement, adding that players "are not comfortable with" wearing the jerseys
- A local LGBTQ+ resource center said it was "disappointed" by the team's decision to cancel
A minor league baseball team has canceled and forfeited its Pride Night game after several players refused to wear the themed jerseys.
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The York Revolution said in a statement on Wednesday, June 17, "it is with great disappointment" that the game would not go on as planned.
The team said the decision to cancel and forfeit "was not reached lightly."
"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 team said.
York RevolutionCredit: Billy Myers/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
"As a result, and out of respect for the Pride Community and the York community as a whole, the York Revolution has decided that the game on Thursday, June 18 will be forfeited and that Pride Night will continue on as the feature element of the evening at WellSpan Park."
York Revolution said it feels "this is the best way to stay consistent with our long-standing partnerships with the Rainbow Rose Center, JLS Automation and the long list of allies that have always been key partners of the York Revolution's success in York, Pennsylvania."
The team added, "To be clear; this action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York."
"As a small token of our regret for the last-minute change of plans and support for our LGBTQIA+ representing partners we are making a $10,000 donation to the Rainbow Rose Center to support and further their work in making sure the York community is as inclusive as we strive to make WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania."
Tickets for the game will be treated as a rainout and can be redeemed for a future game, the club told ticket holders.
The Pride Night jerseys, as seen on the team's website, feature rainbow sleeves.
The Rainbow Rose Center said they're "disappointed" in a statement on Thursday, June 18. "This situation has been difficult for many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, our supporters, and our organization. While we are disappointed that circumstances led to this outcome, we appreciate the York Revolution's commitment to ensuring that Pride in the Park will still take place," the statement said.
Read the original article on People