Nats Change Rainout Policy After Fan Protest

Since the Cubs are facing the Nationals in Washington this weekend, this story seems timely.

The Nats and Detroit Tigers were rained out in D.C. Tuesday night. Since this interleague series is the only time the clubs meet this year, the game was rescheduled for Thursday afternoon, an off day for both teams.

The Nats announced that fans would have to use tickets for the makeup game or get... nothing. No refunds, no exchanges. Then Nats fans got involved:

In response to significant fan backlash over their new ticket policy for postponements, the Washington Nationals announced Wednesday afternoon that they would be reversing their "no exchanges, no refunds" policy. 

When the Nationals’ game against the Detroit Tigers was postponed due to inclement weather on Tuesday evening, the team sent out a release stating that those with tickets for Tuesday night’s game would be able to use those tickets for Thursday’s rescheduled 4:O5 p.m. game. 

But if you could not make it, the team said, there would be no exchanges and no refunds — a departure from their previously fan-friendly program in which any ticket for a rainout could be exchanged for an equal-or-lesser value ticket to a future game.

Most teams do this. The Cubs still don't, although if you complain loudly enough, they'll give you a refund for a rained-out game.

The Nats issued this statement:

The Washington Nationals wish to announce that all fans who purchased tickets for Tuesday night's postponed game with the Detroit Tigers will be guaranteed their same seats for Thursday's scheduled 4:O5 p.m. makeup game, or will retain the option to exchange their tickets - as they have in the past - for any remaining regular or value home game during the 2O13 season, subject to availability. Due to increased attendance at Nationals Park, "rain check" ticket holders are encouraged to contact the Nationals ticket office by phone or online to better ensure seating for those games. The Nationals apologize for any inconvenience.

Really, this is the right thing -- and in my view, the only thing to do. If you make plans to go to a Tuesday night game, and weather forces it to be played Thursday afternoon -- well, not everyone can drop everything and change their plans. The Nats were insensitive to that, and they did the right thing by changing the policy. "Subject to availability" is the key -- obviously, if there are no seats available for the game you ask for, you'd have to pick another one.

The Cubs have... a lot of tickets available this year. They should change their policy. As I have written previously on this topic, I have no skin in this game. I go to every game and if a game is rained out, I'll go to the makeup game, whenever it is.

Not everyone can do this. For their sake, the Cubs should be more flexible.