Looking for a way to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Steve Bartman's attempt to catch a foul ball? We're not exactly sure why you would be, but the Dayton Gems, a minor league hockey team, had a night for you on Oct. 14.
However, the Gems have since decided to cancel their "Salute to Steve Bartman" night after the promotion stirred up too much controversy for the team's liking.
The Gems, a member of the Central Hockey League, had planned to host the event offering free admission to one of the team's preseason game to any fans who showed up dressed as Bartman, in addition to leaving a ticket for Bartman at the ticket window.
The idea was apparently to show off the team's fan-friendly atmosphere.
"Steve was a classic case of wrong place at the wrong time," said team president Joe Greene in the event's original press release. "We wanted to raise awareness of his situation and offer an opportunity for him to become a fan again, even if it's of Gems hockey."
However, after the promotion gained notoriety, the team reconsidered and has canceled the event.
Greene released a new statement declaring that "It was not our intention to cause any undue burden upon Mr. Bartman while attempting to raise awareness of the importance of providing a family-friendly atmosphere."
Now, in honor of Bartman's work raising money for juvenile diabetes, the Gems have pledged to donate money raised at a charity golf tournament to Diabetes Dayton in Bartman's name.
