Pay $3,500 for a suite behind home plate and you can wear what you want, right?
In a word: No. A group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans were forced to change into the home-team colors of the Arizona Diamondbacks because they were in front of the cameras.
Deadspin reports that the men sat in Chase Field’s Batter’s Box were ordered to alter their appearance, or find a new seat, during the series opener in Arizona on Friday night.
Television footage shows the men wearing the blue and white of the Dodgers when the first inning started.
But, as the play progressed, ushers appear carrying grey and burgundy Diamondbacks gear for them to change into.
The order allegedly came straight from Arizona franchise owner Ken Kendrick, who is later said to have had an “animated discussion” with the fans.
Kendrick has come under fire for the move, with many admitting it is “embarrassing” that rival fans are in prime position but they should still be entitled to choose their own clothes.
“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?” asked Yahoo Sports writer Mark Townsend.
A Diamondbacks spokesman, however, defended the decision.
He told Deadspin: “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.”
He added that Kendrick “offered them another suite if they preferred to remain in their Dodger gear.”
And he revealed that: “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 Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-0 on Friday and 1-0 on Sunday.
