Kansas City team to hold Vick welcoming party

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A minor league baseball team is throwing a welcome party for Michael Vick.

The Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League will hold Michael Vick "Welcome to the Neighborhood" night on May 28 in an effort to raise awareness about animal abuse and pet adoption.

Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, is serving a 23-month sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth after pleading guilty to federal charges related to dogfighting.

"It's just kind of a fun way to take advantage of a current news event that's going on in our area -- he's literally right in our backyard -- and it's for a good cause," team spokesman Tommy Thrall said.

The event will include the typical zaniness that goes with a minor league baseball promotion, including spotlights, escape sirens and "Who Let the Dogs Out" blaring from stadium speakers.

The T-Bones' game jerseys will be designed with old black-and-white prison stripes, while the visiting Gary Southshore RailCats will wear orange jumpsuit tops. The players might also act along with the gimmick, possibly even wearing shackles as they take the field.

But the night also is designed to raise awareness to an issue that received so much attention last year when Vick was caught in the middle of a dogfighting ring.

The pregame will feature a dog parade, and at least 10 animal shelters will be outside the stadium showing off dogs that will be available for adoption.

The prison-style jerseys also will be auctioned off after the game with the proceeds going to the organizations that participated in the event.

There has been some negative feedback from fans who don't like the idea of making light of Vick -- who's reportedly been throwing around a football to keep in shape -- and his crime, but the T-Bones say they have nothing but good intentions.

"A story this big, you're always going to have people who disagree with it. But for the most part it's been overwhelmingly positive from pet organizations," Thrall said. "We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't have the support of the organizations involved. There's no way we would do it."

----------

On the Net:

http://www.tbonesbaseball.com/