Mariners Double-A affiliate Arkansas Travelers see Pride Night canceled over drag queen controversy

Arkansas Travelers, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, cancelled their Pride Night this season. Central Arkansas Pride wanted a drag queen to throw out the first pitch, but the Travs rejected the offer. The Travers did have a non-binary person throw a first-pitch earlier this year. The team was comfortable celebrating Sofie and her viral moment, as well as potentially bringing fans to the ballpark. But they didn't want to welcome someone who presents in a way they consider offensive to families. It's a throwback to respectability politics and the era of "don't ask, don't tell".

The Travelers cancelled their Pride Night event. The team has a history of catering to a specific type of fan. It is not meeting the minimum standards set by other teams. Minor league teams across the south hosted Pride Nights this year. The Travs and minor league baseball can be better about creating a safer environment for the LGBTQIA+ community. Baseball has history and tradition of sexism, misogyny and homophobia. Its continuation is hurting the game and creating an unwelcoming environment. For at least one fan, the damage this series of events caused echoed into the end of the season and possibly beyond.