LA Dodgers fans in $3,500 seats told to change into home-team colors
Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken
Kendrick demanded that a group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans change their
clothes or change their seating when the teams met in their series
opener in Arizona on Friday night.
The fans, who were seated in Chase Field's $3,500 batter’s box suite right behind home plate, could be seen wearing blue and white Dodgers attire when the first inning started.
As the inning progressed, ushers
appeared on camera carrying grey and burgundy Diamondbacks gear for the
fans in the suite to change into, which they willingly did in order to
keep their seats, as Deadspin reported.
Kendrick also reportedly approached the fans himself during the inning and could be seen having an animated discussion with them.
‘Due to the high visibility of the home plate box, we ask opposing team's fans when they purchase those seats to refrain from wearing that team's colors,’ a Diamondbacks spokesperson wrote in a reply to Deadspin questions about the unusual demand.
‘During last night's game, when Ken Kendrick noticed the fans there, he offered them another suite if they preferred to remain in their Dodger gear,’ the spokesperson wrote. ‘When they chose to stay, he bought them all D-backs gear and a round of drinks and requested that they abide by our policy and they obliged.’
The reactions from Deadspin and other baseball writers were openly critical of the Arizona franchise, which last won the World Series in 2001.
‘I understand how frustrating it can be to see the opposing team's colors and gear proudly displayed in your high-priced seats, It looks, well, bad, and even embarrassing when it happens night after night (not that it does in Arizona),’ Yahoo Sports writer Mark Townsend commented.
‘But come on, really? You already have their money, so as long as they're not wearing something offensive (division rival colors and logos don't count) why not let them wear what they want?’
The Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-0 on Friday and 1-0 on Sunday.
The fans, who were seated in Chase Field's $3,500 batter’s box suite right behind home plate, could be seen wearing blue and white Dodgers attire when the first inning started.
Change-up: Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken
Kendrick demanded that a group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans, pictured,
change their clothes or change their seating when the teams met in their
series opener in Arizona on Friday night
Kendrick also reportedly approached the fans himself during the inning and could be seen having an animated discussion with them.
‘Due to the high visibility of the home plate box, we ask opposing team's fans when they purchase those seats to refrain from wearing that team's colors,’ a Diamondbacks spokesperson wrote in a reply to Deadspin questions about the unusual demand.
‘During last night's game, when Ken Kendrick noticed the fans there, he offered them another suite if they preferred to remain in their Dodger gear,’ the spokesperson wrote. ‘When they chose to stay, he bought them all D-backs gear and a round of drinks and requested that they abide by our policy and they obliged.’
The reactions from Deadspin and other baseball writers were openly critical of the Arizona franchise, which last won the World Series in 2001.
‘I understand how frustrating it can be to see the opposing team's colors and gear proudly displayed in your high-priced seats, It looks, well, bad, and even embarrassing when it happens night after night (not that it does in Arizona),’ Yahoo Sports writer Mark Townsend commented.
‘But come on, really? You already have their money, so as long as they're not wearing something offensive (division rival colors and logos don't count) why not let them wear what they want?’
The Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-0 on Friday and 1-0 on Sunday.
Sore winners: As the first inning progressed,
ushers appeared on camera carrying grey and burgundy Diamondbacks gear
for the fans in the suite to change into, which they willingly did in
order to keep their seats
