Mariners to fly pride flag at Safeco on Sunday

SEATTLE -- The Mariners will fly the rainbow flag at Safeco Field on Sunday, the day of Seattle's Pride Parade.

The club is hosting the Cubs this weekend for a three-game series that starts Friday. During Sunday's 1:10 p.m. PT game, the gay pride flag will fly above the center-field bleachers alongside the American flag, the POW/MIA flag and the flags of the American League teams that always are on display each day.

It will replace for the one day the Washington State flag that normally flies adjacent to the U.S. and POW/MIA flags.

Rebecca Hale, the Mariners director of public information, said the club was approached with the idea several weeks ago by a group called Seattle Out & Proud, which organizes the Seattle Pride Parade that takes place Sunday on Capitol Hill.

"Our fan base is a reflection of our diverse community," Hale said. "And we thought this was an appropriate gesture on a day that is very meaningful to the LBGT community, Sunday being Pride Day in Seattle."

Seattle Out & Proud says the Mariners will be the first Major League team to fly the rainbow flag during a game, but Hale said she couldn't confirm that fact. She did say it will be the first time the Mariners have flown the flag at Safeco Field.