Orioles Home Game Postponed Amid Violence, Rioting In Area

Last night's White Sox-Orioles game at Camden Yards was postponed "because of escalating unrest stemming from the death of Freddie Gray," and now the entire homestand is "in doubt." As of late last night, "no decision had been made" regarding today's game. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "suggested the Orioles could play games elsewhere" and added that Nationals Park "could be an option." The club "strongly prefers" to play the games in Baltimore. Manfred said that the "decision to postpone the game was made to ensure everyone's safety" (Baltimore SUN, 4/28).

Manfred, who happened to be at Camden Yards yesterday for the game, said Orioles Owner Peter Angelos “had been in contact with all the relevant local officials.” By the time the two talked, it “was very clear to me that the only available option to us in terms of protecting the players, obviously, the umpires, our fans, was to postpone the game tonight” (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 4/27).