By Dan Weber
NKyTribune sports reporter
It always seemed a bit of a scheduling oddity. How the Kentucky Barrels were slated to play at the Oregon Lightning last Sunday in Redmond, Ore. — which they did, winning big, 40-17 – and then have the two teams come right back and play again this Saturday in Truist Arena.
Now it’s a case of a home-and-home series without the return home game. More like “See you later, sucker,” as the Barrels get stiffed for Saturday’s return home game. Turns out that’s not going to happen as “Oregon’s current ownership” failed to make “adequate travel arrangements,” whatever that means, according to a Friday statement from Arena Football One. “Fans who purchased tickets to the game will receive full refunds at point of purchase,” the Arena Football One folks assured Barrels’ fans.
No word on a forfeit. And that could be a big deal for the third-place Barrels, fighting for second place in a league where the top two finishers receive a playoff bye.
The Barrels’ game is still listed on the Oregon website, as well as on the league’s website, with no word of the cancellation on either schedule.
What we know is this: Before Oregon plays another game – if they play another game, we think the league should demand they pay for the Barrels’ visit to the West Coast. The Kentucky team gave Oregon a home game and a home gate only to get cheated out of both a home game and a gate and a probable win — if they don’t get a forfeit, something that’s not mentioned in the league’s statement.
So take the weekend off, Barrels’ fans, even if you’re looking for a refund.
“No action is required to obtain a refund,” the league says. “It will be processed to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, which is usually completed within 30 days. This would include any Season Ticket Holders. Season Ticket Holders will be refunded for this game only.”
And “if you purchased at the Truist Arena box office with cash, please bring your tickets to the Truist Arena Box Office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to get your refund,” the league says.
The next home game for the Barrels will now be Sunday, June 27, against the first-place Albany Firebirds. It will be the first home game in six weeks for the Barrels since their 55-36 win over Beaumont, May 17.