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Minor league side the York Revolution planned to take the field for its 11th annual Pride Night, outfitted in special jerseys paying homage to the LGBTQ+ community present in its locality on Thursday.
The team's players had different ideas, however.
The Revolution, a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, announced that it was forfeiting its match after players expressed dismay with the prospect of sporting the threads, which featured rainbow stripes along the sleeves.
Here's what we know about York's decision to surrender the fixture, as well as what the Revolution's plans are in lieu of the cancellation.
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Why minor league baseball team forfeited Pride Night game
The Revolution's game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, scheduled for Thursday, was slated to serve as the team's 11th annual Pride Night. Players were due to sport jerseys adorned with special rainbow sleeves, paying tribute to the LGBTQ+ community.
Players refused to sport the jerseys, however, prompting the team to forfeit the contest.
"This decision was not reached lightly," the team's statement read. "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 that it is opting to prioritize its Pride Night as opposed to the game. By forfeiting the match, the team feels it will be able to "stay consistent" with various LGBTQ+ causes that have "always been key partners of the York Revolution’s success."
The team vowed to donate $10,000 to the Rainbow Rose Center, a community resource that aims to provide services to LGBTQIA+ people living in York and Adams counties. Pride Night will go on as planned, York announced. However, it will not be accompanied by a baseball game.
York Revolution Pride Night backlash
The Revolution were slated by a number of different sources, including their own employers, on account of their distaste for the alternate uniforms.
"To be clear; this action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York," the Revolution said in a statement.
Others took to social media to express their frustration over the players' disposition regarding the LGBTQ+ community.
Pushing forward with a hefty donation and tonight’s free Pride event, opting not to let this select group of players diminish what the organization has set out to do, is why the York Revolution remain the class of independent baseball.
Hate doesn’t win; it forfeits. https://t.co/zAArr92MMg
This is a great response by the team to the homophobic asswipes on the York Revolution.
May they only ever know independent league ball for the rest of their careers 🙏🏼 https://t.co/d0Ti9eIF5z
Proud of the Revs & happy that we get to work with an organization that is willing to take these types of stands in the spirit of inclusion.
They are auctioning Pride night jerseys, w/ all benefits going to the Rainbow Rose Center in York if interested:https://t.co/99VKArGuRU https://t.co/yMm9hbnas2
Are the York Revolution still hosting Pride Night?
Pride Night, indeed, will go on as planned. The event will feature limited concessions, music and batting practice on the field. Pride Night will kick off at 5:30 p.m. ET and run until 9 p.m. ET. York's baseball team will return to action on June 19.
The Revolution also announced that those who purchased tickets for Thursday's game may exchange their stubs for any remaining 2026 regular season home game (subject to availability).
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