On Friday we brought you the news that some folks were not happy with the Kansas City T-Bones baseball team, who are planning a Michael Vick "Welcome to the Neighborhood Day" at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on May 28. Vick is incarcerated at nearby Leavenworth on a dogfighting conviction, giving the T-Bones the idea to throw a prison-themed promotion. Among other things, the teams that day will play in special prison-themed jerseys, which are to be auctioned off after the game with the proceeds going to local animal rights groups. (UPDATE: It seems that the T-Bones have dropped the jersey idea).

But this did not sit well with some folks, including Kristy Winfrey, who authors the Kansas City-based Animal Advocate blog. Said Winfrey on her blog: "I think they are making a joke of it in a way because they are all dressing up in prison clothes. I think it is inappropriate to do that and to use Michael Vick's name. ... I think it is distasteful. I don't think they should be focusing on Michael Vick going to prison as it clouds the real issue. It is just sick and twisted in my opinion."

However, the top of Ms. Winfrey's blog happens to be festooned with this photo:

Is not dressing a cat as a ladybug just as distasteful as a Michael Vick prison baseball jersey? I say yes. And many Deadspin readers agreed; responding by leaving comments on Ms. Winfrey's blog (all of which have been removed, evidently). But Ms. Winfrey did let it be known what she thought of us:

The nuts (from deadspin.com) have come out in droves! There have been many people leaving rude and obnoxious comments about my opinion. It would be nice to actually get some productive comments, rather than these childish insults and observations. Just think if these people could put such effort into something constructive.

And then another salvo:

It is amazing to me how many rude people we have in our society. They can say whatever they want, it doesn't bother me too much because I know that I am a good person. What their comments told me, besides that they were immature and annoying, was that people automatically believe you are a "nutcase" or "crazy cat lady" if they find out you help cats.

Helping cats is laudable, of course. But if you believe as I do that God's great plan includes affording our animal friends a certain degree of dignity, then you will please refrain from dressing your cat as a wizard. Thank you.

T-Bones' Michael Vick Promotion Under Fire [Deadspin]
T-Bones Welcome Michael Vick To The Neighborhood [Deadspin]
The Animal Advocate

For one thing, Kristy objects to the fact that the T-Bones will be wearing game jerseys that are modeled after prison attire. So she fires off a few impassioned posts on her blog, including the quote:

"I think it's making a joke of it all," Winfrey said. "I think once people get there, it's going to look ridiculous to them."

Yes, yes, Kristy. I have just visited your blog, and have seen the photos at the top. I can see that you're totally against things being ridiculous.

Somebody please raid Kristy's place and free those cats!

T-Bones media director Tommy Thrall says that the event is really about raising awareness for neglected pets. Several animal advocate groups will be on hand for the game, and there will even be a pet parade in the outfield.

"We're all big animal lovers here. A lot of us have dogs," Thrall said. "We thought, 'How can we make this a positive deal?' "

Well, maybe dress up the dogs in ballerina outfits?

Independent League Team's Vick Night Bothers Some [USA Today]
T-Bones Welcome Michael Vick To The Neighborhood [Deadspin]
The Animal Advocate Blog