Man Dumps Girlfriend Using Jumbotron Scoreboard at Baseball Game

Baseball games are not typically associated with heartbreak—but one couple, whose relationship appeared to end at a minor league game, seems to be the exception to that rule.

Jumbotrons, while primarily used to keep score and highlight key moments of the game, are a beloved part of the baseball experience. Catching a glimpse of oneself on the giant screen is a thrilling experience for many, and messages, often romantic or congratulatory in nature, are frequently displayed for all to see. Onscreen declarations of love, particularly in the form of marriage proposals, have become so common that the trend has taken on a life of its own, dividing spectators and significant others alike.

According to USA Today, the incident took place at an Akron, Ohio RubberDucks baseball game last Thursday. While it ended up being a good night for the home team—they won the game 11-2—one woman in the crowd was not so lucky.

Amid the "Fan Shout-Outs" displayed on the scoreboard's giant screen was the following message:

"Alyssa, this relationship is OVER." The message was signed "Tim."

As Jack Haines, the RubberDucks' creative services coordinator, explained to WOIO 19 News, fans can purchase the shout-outs for $5. However, this message strayed away from the content they usually see.

"​​Usually they're birthday shout-outs, congratulations, happy anniversary, and we got a breakup," explained Haines to WOIO 19 News, adding that he was stunned when he saw the breakup note. "​​Going through the list, going through the list then, what the heck?" he said.

When the announcer read the message over the stadium's speakers, the crowd reportedly went wild. "The crowd went pretty crazy," said Haines to the news outlet. "They were pretty loud, and from up in the press box, it's hard to hear some of the sounds, and we heard it for sure."

That being said, Haines acknowledged to Newsweek this was not the first on-screen breakup witnessed at a RubberDucks game. "It was not the first break up message we've seen on our board," he said, adding that the shout-outs have included everything from "Happy Birthday" to "Add me on Snapchat."

Despite the massive reaction garnered by the message, Haines doesn't have a clue as to who "Tim" and "Alyssa" actually are. "We don't ID anyone when they submit fan shoutouts," he explained.

All signs, however, suggested that the breakup was genuine. "We have not heard from either person and it was real as far as we know," said Haines. He added, however, that there is "no verification" of the couple's identity or status.

Images of the unlikely shout-out circulated on social media following the game—including one that can be found here.