In a surprising turn of events, the Oakland A's have invoked their rights as the current tenant of the Coliseum to prevent the Oakland Ballers, a new Pioneer League baseball team, from hosting a game at the renowned stadium. The Ballers founders, Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel, had planned to celebrate the city's love for baseball with a game at the Coliseum on June 29, 2024. However, the A's decision to block the game has left the Ballers "surprised and disappointed."

The Oakland A's team vice president of stadium operations, David Rinetti, cited their exclusive license agreement with the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) as the reason for not granting consent to the Ballers' request. Rinetti expressed support for the JPA's efforts to bring new events to the Coliseum and offered to collaborate on alternative ways to celebrate and promote professional baseball in Oakland.

The Ballers had hoped that the game at the Coliseum would act as a massive celebration, reaffirming the community's commitment to baseball in Oakland. Freedman expressed his belief that Oakland is the "best baseball market" and the Coliseum the ideal venue, despite its flaws. He had high hopes that the local community would be excited about the event, especially as the Ballers had planned to distribute tickets to local youth baseball organizations.

It's worth noting that the Oakland A's are in their final year of their lease agreement at the Coliseum, their home since 1968. Amidst plans to relocate to Las Vegas, which received unanimous approval from MLB owners in November, the team has yet to announce their future home beyond 2024. Although a new stadium in Las Vegas is not expected until 2028 at the earliest, the A's have not released any renderings or updates since the cancellation of a press conference in early December.

Despite the setback, the Ballers remain determined to engage with the Oakland community and are evaluating their options for alternative community baseball celebrations during their inaugural season. The team's first game is scheduled for May 21 on the road, with their first home game set to take place on June 4 at Laney College in Oakland.

In the meantime, the Ballers will have an opportunity to mingle with the Oakland community at Fan's Fest on February 24. Organized by A's fan-supporter groups, including the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar, Fan's Fest aims to celebrate Oakland baseball. The event will feature appearances from former A's players, including Khris Davis and Mike Norris, showcasing the strong bond between the team and its devoted fanbase.

The Ballers see Fan's Fest as a testament to the vibrant sports community in Oakland and are excited to be a part of this fan-organized celebration. As the event draws near, preparations are well underway, with organizers recently scouting the Bloc15 venue in Jack London Square.

While the A's decision has thrown a curveball into the Ballers' plans, their determination to bring baseball to the Oakland community remains unwavering. With their inaugural season fast approaching, the Ballers are committed to highlighting the city's love for the game and creating an unforgettable baseball experience for fans.