MLB parks Spider-Man ads

New York — Spider-Man ads on bases didn’t fly with baseball fans.

A day after announcing a novel promotion to put advertisements on bases next month, Major League Baseball reversed course Thursday and eliminated that part of its marketing deal for “Spider-Man 2.”

“The bases were an extremely small part of this program,” said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer. “However, we understand that a segment of our fans was uncomfortable with this particular component, and we do not want to detract from the fan’s experience in any way.”

Under the original plan, red-and-yellow ads were to appear on bases — but not home plate — during games June 11-13. The plan began to crumble Wednesday night when the New York Yankees said they would only allow the ads on bases during batting practice — and only for one game that weekend.

While the logos will not be put on bases in big-league games, it’s still not certain whether they will appear during warmups.

The ads were to appear as part of a deal involving Major League Baseball Properties, Marvel Studios and Sony Inc., the parent of Columbia Pictures, which is releasing the movie June 30. The promotion will go on with giveaways and other ads at ballparks that weekend.

Free state athletics

Baxter named all-state

It has been quite a week for Lacey Baxter.

Soon after making an oral commitment to pole vault at the University of Nebraska, Free State High’s multisport standout learned she was named to the Kansas Gymnastics Assn. All-State team.

Baxter was a first-team honoree in beam and floor exercise and a second-team selection in bars and all-around. Baxter was the Kansas state champion in the beam last fall and runner-up in floor exercise.

The senior will call it a career in gymnastics and sign a track-and-field letter of intent with the Huskers at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Free State gymnasium. She’ll be Free State’s fourth Division One signee this year and will join teammate Lauren Abney (Kentucky) as the second FSHS girls track athlete to go Division One.