Baseball team forfeits game as players refuse rainbow jerseys

The minor-league baseball team York Revolution announced that it would forfeit its Thursday night matchup against Southern Maryland. The decision came after several York players refused to wear jerseys with rainbow-colored sleeves for a scheduled LGBTQ-themed event at WellSpan Park ballpark in southern Pennsylvania, according to the team’s statement.

What else did the team say? The York, Pa., team characterized the forfeiture as a great disappointment, adding that the decision was not reached lightly. Although the game itself was off, the 11th Annual Pride Night was still scheduled to open Thursday night, and entry was free, the team said. Tickets to Thursday’s forfeited game could be redeemed at any future matchup, according to the team’s statement.

What do we know about the players who refused to wear the jerseys? The statement did not identify which players chose not to don the rainbow-sleeved jerseys or comment on their reasons for not doing so. It also did not specify exactly how many players declined to wear the apparel.

How is the team reacting? The team called the players’ refusal to wear the jerseys inconsistent with the vision of WellSpan Park to be the most welcoming venue in the city of York. In response, the York Revolution pledged a $10,000 donation to the Rainbow Rose Center. The nonprofit center describes itself as connecting LGBTQ people with services and resources such as lawyers and doctors.

Dig deeper: Read a report by Liz Lykins and Lauren Canterberry about states that are choosing to move on from Pride Month, instead choosing to celebrate traditional values in July.