"Faith & Family Night" at MY Ballpark

As my screen name makes perfectly obvious, I am a baseball fan. My family and I are boosters for the local College baseball team (Go Huskers!!!)and have season tickets for the local minor league team as well. All told, not counting our son's Little League games, we go to between 70-100 games a year.

Today I took a stroll over to the website for the Lincoln Saltdogs to check out the home schedule and find out this season's promotions. This is our 5th year as a member of the Northern League (same league as the St. Paul Saints which some of you may have heard of) and in the past we've had some really good give-aways and entertainment. The San Diego Chicken is a real crowd favorite.

Follow me below the jump

To my surprise and dismay, one of our promotions is a "Faith & Family Night" complete with a Christian A cappella group! I mean c'mon!

What's next? I am seriously pissed off about this. If I wanted to go to Church, I would go. I go to baseball to kick back on a summer evening, drink a beer, yell, cheer, heckle, and just generally have a good time.

And what about those of us with "other" faiths or no faith at all? What would be wrong with just a plain ol' "Family Night" with prizes and food specials for the kids? What does faith have to do with baseball besides the faith that "this could be the year..."?

I would love to complain but it's not possible because of a business relationship...to tell you more would give me away.

I'm really upset about this. Needless to say, I will not be attending the game that night. I have a feeling that the vast majority of our fans who never check the schedule in advance are going to be in for a surprise.

Am I upset over nothing?

•  As long as they are using private funds...

  I am really not a religous person but if the fundies want to have 1 baseball game a year dedicated to them I am ok with it as long as:

  1. It is open to any religion

  2. It does not favor any one religion

  In that case it could be a good thing that would encourage mutual respect for different religions.

  by dvogel001 on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:06:03 PM PDT

  •  Well,

    they are having a Christian music group as the evening's entertainment. That seemed like favoring one faith to me.

    by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:15:51 PM PDT

    •  Stadium probably built/subsidized public funds.

      Doesn't sound OK if it is only a Christian event, unless they have leased the facility for the event.

      by cosette on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:33:34 PM PDT

      •  Yes-

        you're right, the stadium is taxpayer funded and no, it is not being leased for the event.

        This is just one of the regular season games and this is the scheduled promotion/entertainment for that night.

        Just for flavor, here are some "typical" promotions from this season:

             Jimmy Buffet Night-wear a tropical shirt, Buffet music, tropical drink specials, etc.

             Mardi Gras Night-New Orleans Jazz music, throw beads to the crowd, etc.

             Saltdogs Fear Factor-Fear Factor type competitions between innings.

        Where does "Promoting Christian Ideolgy Night" fit into this scenario?

        It bugs me that the back office people came up with this idea and apparently never considered that anyone would or should have a problem with it.

        by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:31:40 PM PDT

        •  In a way this sort of

            dumps Christianity into a grab-bag of marketing promotions, it's actually humorous. Just another way to get folks into the Saltdogs (hey what the hell is a saltdog) stadium.  I much prefer Blues Brothers Night at the ballpark - free sunglasses!
           

          by slick riddles on Mon May 09, 2005 at 07:12:56 PM PDT

          •  Y'know,

            now that you mention-maybe it IS the Fundies that should be annoyed. I hadn't looked at it that way but, it is just another way for them to make money. Kind of like when Mel Gibson licensed "Cross Nail" necklaces in conjunction with "The Passion."

            Ka-Ching! That's the sound of the Free Market at work.

            by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 07:56:33 PM PDT

            •  Didn't Jesus say

                "Verily verily go ye into all the world and pass the collection plates and write ye religious fiction and record ye comtemporary gospel music and I will make you so rich that a camel will have an easier time getting thru the eye of the needle than you will of getting into the Kingdom of Heaven" ?  

              by slick riddles on Mon May 09, 2005 at 09:00:19 PM PDT

        •  I totally agree, baseballgirl

          (as another baseball-loving girl).  I would boycott the game and let them know why I'm doing it.  In Houston, they build their baseball stadium next to the church so you can decide where you prefer to worship:

          

          by Lawyer to Capitalists on Mon May 09, 2005 at 08:23:57 PM PDT

          •  P.S. Here is where I chose to worship:

            

            Did you have to ask?

            by Lawyer to Capitalists on Mon May 09, 2005 at 08:50:25 PM PDT

            •  P.P.S.

              The person who mentioned Hebrew below gave me an idea: have some Jewish friends write to them demanding equal time.  Then have some Muslim friends do the same thing.  Strangely, the decision to let "freedom reign" with respect to religion in this country seems to weaken when non-Christians want a taste of that freedom.

              by Lawyer to Capitalists on Mon May 09, 2005 at 08:52:02 PM PDT

  •  No, no no

    Why do these freaks have to drag their religion with them everywhere they go? Take it to CHURCH, people. What gives them the right to appropriate the ballpark?

    Yeeesh.

    by bumblebums on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:18:52 PM PDT

  •  voodoo

    Reminds me of the movie Major League with a character named  Pedro Cerrano who is into voodoo.  The fundie christian jackhole on the team kept making fun of the guy's totem, Jobu... I think that earned him a concussion.

    (course if the movie were made today I'm sure the fundie would win out instead)

    by voltayre on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:19:22 PM PDT

    •  are you saying Jesus can't hit a curveball???

      by Abbott on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:21:57 PM PDT

•  How would they like it?

  Do you think they'd be receptive to me leading the crowd through a half hour or so of Hebrew prayers?

  by Paul in Berkeley on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:15:50 PM PDT

  •  I'd be up for it

    but, I'd prefer a Klezmer band. Klezmer music kicks ass.

    by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:17:19 PM PDT

•  Maybe you should go.... and wear

  jeans with "Jesus loves me" stenciled on the butt.

  We sold every other aspect of our lives to Corporate masters. Guess God is just the latest trend.

  I'm sure God would be flattered.......NOT!    

  by maggiemae on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:20:11 PM PDT

  •  My favorite

    Jesus t-shirt says "I found Jesus. He was right behind the couch the whole time"

    A close 2nd is "Jesus loves you, everyone else thinks you're an Asshole."

    by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:23:20 PM PDT

    •  I always liked

      Jesus Saves

      (and Gretzky scores on the rebound)

      by Abbott on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:42:04 PM PDT

      •  GRETZKY??????

        That's a theft.

        The original, from 1970's Boston, is

        Jesus Saves....but Esposito scores on the rebound!!!

        Gretzky, jeez...it's not enough that the hockey Johnny-come-latelies actually spread the canard that Gretzky was better than Bobby Orr--which is ridiculous--now they steal our Espo bumper sticker.

        Mamma mia......

        by ChurchofBruce on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:29:43 PM PDT

    •  There ya go! We all come to Jesus as our

      personal savior in our own way, and who's to say it's wrong?

      I mentioned on another thread that ABC is doing more stories on this new intense focus on all things "christian".

      They did a story on the rush for christian clothing and jewelry. The story included a visit to a t-shirt comapany who makes Jesus is my Home-boy and Mary is my Home-girl t-shirts. The irony is the company is actually making snarky fun of the fundies!  

      by maggiemae on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:28:08 PM PDT

    •  Jesus loves you,

      but I'm his favorite!

      Saw this bumpersticker in a local parking lot and had a good laugh. The other bumperstickers on the car would indicate that the driver thought it was funny as well.

      kick back on a summer evening, drink a beer, yell, cheer, heckle, and just generally have a good time.

      I think you should feel free to go and do this anyway. Or at least find out if a different standard of behavior will be in force to protect the delicate eyes and ears of the fundies in attendance. I'm in agreement with the folks who see this as crass marketing hokum. The sad thing is the people who lap it up IMHO.
      

      -5.88, -6.82

      by Debby on Mon May 09, 2005 at 08:06:54 PM PDT

•  suggestion

  Heckle away!

  "Hey, your savior is a recycled version of an ancient hero fable!"

  "Easter is a pagan celebration of fertility!  Bunny rabbits, eggs, named after a Germanic goddess ... think about it!"

  "Hey Jesus Freaks, can I come to your worship service and play baseball!"

   ... and such

  by zzmarkzz on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:24:44 PM PDT

•  To tell us more would give your identity away?

  well, now I want to know!!! Tease. I bet youre James Dobson's personal chef.

  by ablington on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:25:25 PM PDT

  •  Chef

    I can get you as much strychnine as you want!

    by Rupert on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:31:17 PM PDT

  •  I could

    tell you guys more. What I mean is that if I called the team and complained or wrote a LTE about it, I would have to withhold my name.

    by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:14:37 PM PDT

    •  Get a friend to do it.

      If you are too close to the perpetrators. A good bud could call the county supervisors about this. As a taxpayer and non Christian I am offended.

      by cosette on Mon May 09, 2005 at 07:31:27 PM PDT

•  u are right - this is the problem

  I would love to complain but it's not possible because of a business relationship...to tell you more would give me away.

  by tiponeill on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:26:46 PM PDT

•  I am so with you

  Injecting god bless america into the seventh inning stretch post - 9/11 drove me batshit.  I know others think the song is benign but to me it reaks with self importance and phony piety.  

  I don't know what I would do if I were you.  It's too bad you can't complain.  They do promote everything at ball parks.  I would definitely hold out for the jesus bobble-head.

  by sophiebrown on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:36:09 PM PDT

•  Yes, they are assholes!

  The thing that really pisses me off is that they are putting their religious beliefs on display for manipulative reasons. This has nothing to do with humility and everything to do with smug, arrogant posturing. These people are scary and should not be excused or encouraged.

  by roosevelt on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:49:19 PM PDT

•  And we had Sean Hannity in Philly

  Yes...on April 20, before their home game vs. the Col. Rockies.....the Philly fans were subjected to Sean Hannity doing his radio show live from Citizen's Bank Park.........Jesus!!!!!  It's bad enough that the Phillies have given me nothing but green hot dogs.....warm flat beer, and crummy baseball all my life (anyone remember 1964?)  Now they gotta give me wingnut radio on top of it??!!  I'm starting to root for the White Sox  ('cause my sister-in-law's cousin plays for 'em)

  by Chuckster on Mon May 09, 2005 at 05:53:33 PM PDT

  •  the mariners

    are pretty good that way.  seattle fans are about as left as they come, I think.  

    by sophiebrown on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:08:47 PM PDT

  •  You know,

    I think I've seen the light. I would definitely pick Jesus over Sean Hannity every day of the week! LOL

    by Baseballgirl on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:16:37 PM PDT

  •  1964

      I remember it but I'm not a Phillies fan.  I do remember sitting in the bleachers at Fenway some time in the early 70s and no one stood for the "Star Spangled Banner" because of the Vietnam war - wierd.

    by slick riddles on Mon May 09, 2005 at 07:20:00 PM PDT

•  Condom night

  Pass out prophylactics before the game. wear a costume to protect that "business relationship."

  by ben masel on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:15:13 PM PDT

•  Church night.

  My local minor league team used to offer reduced admission to anyone bringing in a church bulletin. Certainly less in-your-face than forcing people to endure a Christian music performance, but still, it bugged me since I don't see why people who go to church (or at least were capable of producing a church bulletin at the ticket office) should be entitled to a discount. I mean, why not offer discounts to people who could prove they donated time or money to charitable organizations? That way people could get rewarded for something worthwhile they actually did, as opposed to being able to get out of bed early on a Sunday to make it to church.

  I often wondered if this offer was also valid for people who attend Satanic masses. I'm sometimes tempted to test that, but it's not exactly easy to just drop in on a Satanic mass the way one can for other services. Besides, it seems unlikely they'd hand out weekly bulletins.

  by pattyp on Mon May 09, 2005 at 06:48:29 PM PDT

•  Religion as marketing

  I think it's the same built-in church marketing that Mel Gibson tapped into with The Passion of the Christ. Many churchs that believe the whole "we are being oppressed" James Dobson line like to hold public events. By holding a Faith night they guarantee a big crowd which is the bottom line for the minor league club.

  Do they still sell beer at the stadium? Are all fans welcome? Do they have religious activities during the game and not just before? Unless they make significant changes to the game experience I think you should just shrug it off.

  They had a National Day of Prayer event here at the Speedway (on county property) in Daytona, Florida and it was purely evangelical so some religious groups of all faiths held an interfaith event at another facility. Is that right? I applaud the people who held an inclusive event but I can't muster any outrage at the evangelical event. It's in technical complaince with the law - it's open in theory but unwelcoming in practice.

  Without knowing the specifics of the Faith Night I  can't comment but I don't see much wrong with it in theory.

  by joejoejoe on Mon May 09, 2005 at 07:02:36 PM PDT