In a move that has left many Mets fans shaking their heads in disbelief, the team’s decision to have Hailey Welch—known infamously as the “Hawk Tuah” girl—throw out the first pitch before Thursday’s game against the A’s has sparked widespread outrage. The game itself was a disaster, with the Mets blowing a 5-0 lead to lose 7-6, but for many, the real loss came before the first pitch was even thrown.

Welch, a 22-year-old from Tennessee, became a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons earlier this year when she described a sexual act in explicit detail during an online interview. The clip, which has racked up nearly 7 million views, may have made Welch a fleeting internet celebrity, but her newfound fame didn’t sit well with the family-oriented crowd at Citi Field.

As WFAN’s Sal Licata ranted on his show Thursday, “The Yankees have legends like Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth. The Mets? They’ve got Grimace and now this ‘Hawk Tuah’ nonsense. It’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing. And then you wonder why fans get so ticked off and upset. It’s a joke.”

Indeed, this isn’t the first time the Mets have faced backlash for their off-field antics. Earlier this year, they went viral for a much more wholesome reason when they had Grimace, the beloved purple mascot from McDonald’s, throw out the first pitch. But where Grimace brought smiles, Welch’s appearance has brought scorn.

The timing of the stunt couldn’t have been worse. Thursday’s game was a weekday afternoon matchup, a time when the stadium is often filled with kids on summer break or attending camp outings. Many parents were left fuming at the thought of having to explain Welch’s claim to fame to their young children.

“On a day where the stadium is full of summer camp kids, this is who was picked to throw the first pitch?!? Disgusting behavior and someone needs to be fired,” one outraged fan tweeted.

Another fan echoed the sentiment, saying, “Try explaining who this is to your kids, Mets fans! Sorry. WOW! ‘Who is this girl, Mom/Dad, and what does she do?’ The decision maker to have her throw the 1st pitch should be fired. Awful.”

The choice to feature Welch seemed tone-deaf at best and downright irresponsible at worst. While some might argue that it’s just a pre-game gimmick and doesn’t affect what happens on the field, that’s precisely the problem. The Mets are already struggling on the field, and resorting to these cheap stunts only serves to further alienate their loyal fanbase.

The game’s outcome didn’t help matters either. What should have been an easy win turned into yet another disappointing loss, with the Mets squandering a five-run lead against one of the worst teams in baseball. It’s hard not to see the symbolism here: a team that has lost its way, both on and off the field.

As the Mets continue to spiral, fans are left wondering what has happened to the proud franchise they once supported. Thursday’s debacle is just the latest sign that the team’s leadership is more interested in chasing viral moments than in building a winning culture. And that’s a pitch that no Mets fan is willing to catch.