The York Revolution announced it has canceled and forfeited its scheduled Thursday game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs after several players refused to wear the team’s planned Pride Night jerseys. In a statement issued late Wednesday, the club said the decision was made with “great disappointment” and that tickets for the June 18 game will be treated as a rainout and may be redeemed for any future 2026 regular-season home game. “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 York Revolution club said. The special jerseys some players refused to wear featured rainbow sleeves. According to the Atlantic League bylaws, “uniformed personnel shall wear matching uniforms.””I was shocked,” said Christiana Wingert, executive director of the Rainbow Rose Center. “We’ve had this for 11 years. Ten years of this with no issues, never a problem. Lots of celebration, very little backlash.”Wingert, who worked alongside the baseball team to prepare for the event, said she learned of the cancellation through a phone call. 11th annual Pride Night still scheduledThe 11th annual Pride Night still took place at WellSpan Park, despite the cancellation of the York Revolution game. York residents still flooded WellSpan Park to participate in Pride Night. Community shows support”Just to show support for the community,” said attendee Clay Shaw. Others felt a stronger desire to be present despite the cancellation. “We’re proud to be here, and despite events from earlier, we thought it was more important to be here,” said Debra Doubrava of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Doubrava, attending pride night for the second time, said the canceled game didn’t change the spirit of the event. “I think you can’t cancel pride and you can’t cancel love. That’s what connects everyone. That’s what all of this is about,” Doubrava said. Team says event was importantYork Revolution general manager Ben Shipley said moving forward with pride night, even without the game, was the best decision. “There’s no good way to get everybody everything that they want. But our primary function as WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania, is to welcome the community in and be the most welcoming place in York,” Shipley said. A chance for growthWingert viewed the cancellation as an opportunity for growth. “We give grace. As long as people continue to want to learn and want to move forward,” Wingert said.Festivities continue at the ballparkMusic, vendors, and a parade were part of the festivities, which began at 5:30 p.m. and are scheduled to continue until 9 p.m. Guests also could take part in a jersey auction featuring the special jerseys York Revolution players had been expected to wear during the forfeited game. The event moved forward despite the cancellation, drawing attendees to the ballpark for a night of activities and entertainment.”We feel that 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 club said. The club criticized the players’ decisionThe club also criticized the players’ decision, saying it conflicted with the organization’s values.”To be clear; this action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York,” the statement said. The Revolution said it will donate $10,000 to the Rainbow Rose Center, describing the contribution as a gesture of regret over the last-minute change and as support for LGBTQIA+ community partners.The team said it expects to return to the field at home on Friday, June 19.Ticket exchange informationAccording to the club, tickets from the canceled June 18 game may be exchanged for any remaining 2026 regular-season home game, subject to availability.Exchanges may be made:In person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office at WellSpan Park By phone at 717-801-HITS The ticket office is open: Game days: 10 a.m. through the end of the fifth inning Non-game days: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday General Manager respondsYork Revolution General Manager Ben Shipley asked the community for understanding, saying the team faced difficult dynamics and complex problems without a clean solution while emphasizing that WellSpan Park’s primary function is to welcome the community. “I would ask the community for understanding, running an organization in this way, with these difficult dynamics, having to find a solution to these complex problems, without a clean solution, is a difficult task,” Shipley said. “There’s no good way to get everybody everything that they want. But our primary function as WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania, is to welcome the community in and be the most welcoming place in York.” Rainbow Rose Center statementThe Rainbow Rose Center said it had been informed of the York Revolution’s decision to forfeit the game while continuing Pride in the Park as a free community event. In a statement, the organization said the situation had been difficult for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, but it appreciated the team’s commitment to ensuring the event would still take place. “We recognize that today’s decision was not an easy one,” the Rainbow Rose Center said. “For more than a decade, this event has represented far more than a baseball game. It has been a celebration of visibility, belonging, and community.”The group said its focus remains on supporting the community and encouraging people to come together. “Our focus tonight remains where it has always been: on our community,” the statement said. “We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Pride, supporting one another, and demonstrating the resilience, strength, and joy that have always defined our movement.” Part of a broader Pride Night debate The York Revolution’s decision comes amid a separate Pride Night controversy involving the San Francisco Giants. During the Giants’ Pride celebration, several players did not fully participate, and some wore Bible verses on their caps.Vice President JD Vance also weighed in on the issue, posting on X, “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore.”Major League Baseball later warned that personal messages written on uniforms are prohibited under league rules. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
YORK, Pa. —
The York Revolution announced it has canceled and forfeited its scheduled Thursday game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs after several players refused to wear the team’s planned Pride Night jerseys.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, the club said the decision was made with “great disappointment” and that tickets for the June 18 game will be treated as a rainout and may be redeemed for any future 2026 regular-season home game.
“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 York Revolution club said.
The special jerseys some players refused to wear featured rainbow sleeves. According to the Atlantic League bylaws, “uniformed personnel shall wear matching uniforms.”
“I was shocked,” said Christiana Wingert, executive director of the Rainbow Rose Center. “We’ve had this for 11 years. Ten years of this with no issues, never a problem. Lots of celebration, very little backlash.”
Wingert, who worked alongside the baseball team to prepare for the event, said she learned of the cancellation through a phone call.
York Revolution
Pride Night flyer
11th annual Pride Night still scheduled
The 11th annual Pride Night still took place at WellSpan Park, despite the cancellation of the York Revolution game.
York residents still flooded WellSpan Park to participate in Pride Night.
Community shows support
“Just to show support for the community,” said attendee Clay Shaw.
Others felt a stronger desire to be present despite the cancellation.
“We’re proud to be here, and despite events from earlier, we thought it was more important to be here,” said Debra Doubrava of St. Matthew Lutheran Church.
Doubrava, attending pride night for the second time, said the canceled game didn’t change the spirit of the event.
“I think you can’t cancel pride and you can’t cancel love. That’s what connects everyone. That’s what all of this is about,” Doubrava said.
Team says event was important
York Revolution general manager Ben Shipley said moving forward with pride night, even without the game, was the best decision.
“There’s no good way to get everybody everything that they want. But our primary function as WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania, is to welcome the community in and be the most welcoming place in York,” Shipley said.
A chance for growth
Wingert viewed the cancellation as an opportunity for growth.
“We give grace. As long as people continue to want to learn and want to move forward,” Wingert said.
Festivities continue at the ballpark
Music, vendors, and a parade were part of the festivities, which began at 5:30 p.m. and are scheduled to continue until 9 p.m.
Guests also could take part in a jersey auction featuring the special jerseys York Revolution players had been expected to wear during the forfeited game.
The event moved forward despite the cancellation, drawing attendees to the ballpark for a night of activities and entertainment.
“We feel that 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 club said.
The club criticized the players’ decision
The club also criticized the players’ decision, saying it conflicted with the organization’s values.
“To be clear; this action by the players is completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York,” the statement said.
Hearst Owned
York Revolution logo
The Revolution said it will donate $10,000 to the Rainbow Rose Center, describing the contribution as a gesture of regret over the last-minute change and as support for LGBTQIA+ community partners.
The team said it expects to return to the field at home on Friday, June 19.
WGAL
The York Revolution’s WellSpan Park
Ticket exchange information
According to the club, tickets from the canceled June 18 game may be exchanged for any remaining 2026 regular-season home game, subject to availability.
Exchanges may be made:
In person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office at WellSpan Park By phone at 717-801-HITS
The ticket office is open:
Game days: 10 a.m. through the end of the fifth inning Non-game days: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday
WGAL
The York Revolution’s WellSpan Park
General Manager responds
York Revolution General Manager Ben Shipley asked the community for understanding, saying the team faced difficult dynamics and complex problems without a clean solution while emphasizing that WellSpan Park’s primary function is to welcome the community.
“I would ask the community for understanding, running an organization in this way, with these difficult dynamics, having to find a solution to these complex problems, without a clean solution, is a difficult task,” Shipley said. “There’s no good way to get everybody everything that they want. But our primary function as WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania, is to welcome the community in and be the most welcoming place in York.”
Rainbow Rose Center statement
The Rainbow Rose Center said it had been informed of the York Revolution’s decision to forfeit the game while continuing Pride in the Park as a free community event.
In a statement, the organization said the situation had been difficult for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, but it appreciated the team’s commitment to ensuring the event would still take place.
“We recognize that today’s decision was not an easy one,” the Rainbow Rose Center said. “For more than a decade, this event has represented far more than a baseball game. It has been a celebration of visibility, belonging, and community.”
The group said its focus remains on supporting the community and encouraging people to come together.
“Our focus tonight remains where it has always been: on our community,” the statement said. “We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Pride, supporting one another, and demonstrating the resilience, strength, and joy that have always defined our movement.”
Part of a broader Pride Night debate
The York Revolution’s decision comes amid a separate Pride Night controversy involving the San Francisco Giants. During the Giants’ Pride celebration, several players did not fully participate, and some wore Bible verses on their caps.
Thearon W. Henderson
San Francisco’s Landen Roupp wore a Bible verse on his Pride hat
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in on the issue, posting on X, “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore.”
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Major League Baseball later warned that personal messages written on uniforms are prohibited under league rules.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.