Follow-up: Baseball team gives in to fans’ rain-delay outrage

Faced with a stinging weekend of criticism — I wrote about it on Saturday — the Cleveland Indians today relented and agreed to give new tickets to its fans who were forced to either go home or stay until midnight when a rain-delayed game got underway.

Here’s the team’s statement today:

The Cleveland Indians today announced plans to accommodate fans who experienced lengthy weather related delays on Friday, May 31st for the Indians vs. Rays game at Progressive Field.

In an effort to present alternatives to those May 31st fans that experienced extraordinary rain delays and the subsequent after midnight re-start, the Indians will soon be providing fans the opportunity to exchange their ticket to one of two future games. Both future games are Sugardale Dollar Dog Nights and feature post-game fireworks. The Indians are adding a post-game fireworks show to July 31st and rescheduling the postponed May 31st fireworks show, presented by Wayside Furniture, to September 6th.

Fans will be able to exchange their May 31st tickets for one of two games:

Wednesday, July 31st vs. Chicago White Sox

Sugardale Dollar Dog Night
NEWLY ADDED — post-game fireworks

Friday, September 6th vs. New York Mets

Sugardale Dollar Dog Night
NEWLY ADDED – post-game fireworks (rescheduled from May 31st),presented by Wayside Furniture

Fans holding tickets dated Friday, May 31st, will soon be able to exchange their tickets for one of either July 31st or September 6th, subject to availability. Visit Indians.com/ScheduleChanges for exchange details based on ticket purchase method. Tickets must be redeemed by July 1st to receive the exchange to either one of the games.

“We are always striving to provide our fans the best experience possible at Progressive Field and wanted to make it right for the fans who endured the lengthy weather delays and ultimate after midnight re-start,” said Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro. “By providing make-up opportunities on either July 31st or September 6th, which will both include Sugardale Dollar Dogs and post-game fireworks, fans will have the opportunity to have a positive and memorable ballpark experience.”

Added Shapiro, “We value each and every one of our fans and want to thank them for staying at some or all of the May 31st game. We appreciate their loyalty, patience and perseverance.”