A Pride Night minor league baseball game was canceled after players refused to wear the pride-themed jerseys. The game was scheduled between the York Revolution, a minor league team from Pennsylvania, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. It was the York Revolution’s 11^th annual Pride Night event, but the club released a statement stating that several players had refused to wear the Pride Night jerseys, which included rainbow sleeves. The team stated that the planned game would be canceled, with York Revolution forfeiting. The event would still go on as a free event, with those who had purchased tickets being able to redeem those for a different 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 club noted. “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.”

The statement went on to criticize the players’ decision. “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.” The exact number of players that had refused to wear the jerseys was not revealed.

The announcement comes not long after three pitchers for the San Francisco Giants were issued warnings by the MLB for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night caps. The move has gained national attention as supporters praise the players’ Christian values, while their critics accuse them of bigotry. The Trump administration has announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be opening an investigation against the MLB for possible religious discrimination against the players. A fourth pitcher, Sam Hentges, opted to wear the team’s regular cap rather than don the Pride Night cap.

In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the DOJ would investigate whether the MLB had made reasonable religious accommodations for its players. “Federal law is clear: employers must modify their uniform requirements to reasonably accommodate their employees’ exercise of religion. The Trump administration is committed to combatting religious discrimination,” said Dhillon. Conservatives praised York Revolution on social media. “Boom! This is the way! York Revolution cancels LGBTQ pride game after players refuse rainbow jerseys,” wrote one account. “Athletes stand firm against forced woke celebrations. Pushback grows as common sense rejects radical agenda in sports. Now if we could just get the professional athletes to grow a pair.”