Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott refuses to make the first pitch in a Rangers game in protest at the Major League Baseball’s response to Georgia’s controversial electoral reforms.
“I was looking forward to launching the first pitch in the opening game at the Texas Rangers’ home until @MLB adopted what turned out to be a false narrative about Georgia’s electoral law reforms,” Abbott said on Monday. “It is shameful that America’s pastime is being influenced by party policies.”
Abbott attached a letter to Neil Leibman, president of operations and chief operating officer for Texas Rangers.
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In it, he told Leibman that while Texas was proud to host the playoffs and World Series in his state last year, it would not attempt to host any other special MLB events, including the All-Star Game.
ARCHIVE – The Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies line up for the Globe Life Field fouls ahead of a baseball game on their opening day in Arlingtn, Texas, this Friday, July 24, 2020, archive photo. (AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter, Archives)
((AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter, Archive))
Last week, the league announced that it was transferring its Atlanta All-Star Game and MLB Draft, citing voting legislation.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports the right to vote for all Americans and is opposed to restrictions at the ballot box,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred.
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“In 2020 … We are proud to use our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities across our country to fulfill their civic duties and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to be supported unshakable of our game. “
MLB did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment.
John Blake, the executive vice president of communications, told Fox News that the team was focused on the game that would take place on Monday.
“Governor Abbott’s Office contacted the Rangers this morning and informed us that he was not going to the game today,” said Blake.
“We are focused on today’s home debut at Globe Life Field. The frontline heroes will participate in today’s first ceremonial pitch before the game. Several frontline heroes have already participated in the first pitch ceremony, as they planned to accompany the governor Abbott No. Audrey Simmons, a fifth-grade science professor at Dunn Elementary in Arlington, Texas, will make the first pitch. Sydney Maxwell, a nurse at Medical City Healthcare, will make the first pitch. “
In its press release last week, the MLB referred to President Biden’s criticism of the law.
Biden claimed that Georgia law prevented people from giving food and water to voters while lining up. He also accused the Republican-led state of ending voting at 5 pm, “when people are leaving work”.
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Georgia law does standardize what is considered “normal business hours” to mean 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, but it still allows counties to extend their voting time to 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.
It also allows research workers to supply water on their own from an autonomous container 50 meters from the ballot box, but prohibits people from political organizations from actively distributing food and drinks at this distance.