‘Tarps Off' movement hits Seattle as shirtless Mariners fans cause stir
It started around the fourth inning of Tuesday night's game between the Mariners and White Sox.
What triggered it?
Well, it was either the boredom of a game that had one total run scored at the time and not much action to enjoy, or multiple $20 stadium beers started to take their effect, but a cross section of male fans - ranging from teenager to mid 40s - started running toward the highest section of the right-field seats at T-Mobile Park and removing their shirts and swinging them above their heads.
Yes, the Tarps Off" movement had arrived in Seattle.
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The initial group of about 15 to 20 boys, likely a high school travel baseball team, were the first to get there to start the party. They were joined by reinforcements within minutes.
"Hurry up dude!" a teenager yelled to his friend as he raced down the main aisle to join the growing shirtless masses.
"Come on, bro! Let's go!!" another yelled at his friend in the stands.
They filled one section easily. Then another and another. They cheered loudly, chanted players names and broke out a chant about the Astros not fit for print.
They chanted Randy Arozarena's name and he tipped his cap to them.
The group lessened as the game got longer and the temps got colder. But a few hundred stayed true to the bit.
What is the "Tarps Off" movement?
It comes from a hockey saying when players remove their jerseys/sweater or top layers postgame and walk around shirtless or even do interviews that way. Some hockey fans have gone "tarps off" in the stands to help fire up their teams in the postseason. The vernacular moved into baseball with teams referring to "tarp up" when they put their game jerseys on after warmups.
But how did it get to be an MLB thing?
Well, it started on Friday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis when the players from the Stephen F. Austin University (Texas) club baseball team who were in town for the club baseball world series, were watching the game between the Cardinals and Kansas City Royals. The SFA players decided to have some fun and ran into an empty section, removed their shirts and started waving them over their heads. Soon they were joined by other fans wanting in on the fun.
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When the Cardinals won the game on a walkoff single by Yohel Pozo, the area of shirtless fans turned into bedlam.
The players noticed as did Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.
"Whoever started that in right field, I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure they come every game," Marmol said after the game. "Because that was awesome. Not only them, but everybody that showed up today. That was a fun environment."
He even sent out a message on the Cardinals social-media platforms, saying: "Last night's atmosphere was electric. Let's run it back this weekend. I'll buy tickets for fans who want to sit in the right field Loge and bring the energy."
Marmol made sure to buy tickets for the SFA players for Saturday's game. When the Cardinals beat the Royals on Saturday, Marmol invited the SFA players into the locker room postgame. They arrived shirtless, of course, and celebrated with the team. They were invited back for Tuesday's game to throw out the first pitch. When Ivan Herrera hit a walkoff homer, he waved an imaginary towel and pointed at the section as he rounded the bases. He later removed his jersey and swung it over his head in the postgame interview.
But the trend wasn't just in Seattle and St. Louis on Tuesday. It happened on a smaller level for a Rays-Orioles game at Tropicana Field on Monday, when, a "Tarps Off section appeared in the normally docile and elderly crowd. There were also occurrences at games in Detroit and Washington, D.C.
If you think the Mariners marketing team and ticket sales team won't try and capitalize on this, you'd be very mistaken.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 11:38 PM.