Of Baseball and Church

I read an article in World Magazine called, “Grinch in the press box: Baseball: Peanuts, popcorn, and proselytizing” by Marvin Olasky. The article is about New York Times sportswriter Murray Chass and his crusade “against voluntary Baseball Chapel services in major league locker rooms on Sunday mornings.”

Times sportswriter Murray Chass is crusading against voluntary Baseball Chapel services in major league locker rooms on Sunday mornings. He’s equally upset with “faith nights” that typically feature a Christian music concert following a game, with players testifying to their belief in Jesus.

At least eight major league teams and at least three dozen minor league ones have such nights annually. Chass snorts, “Just what baseball needs—peanuts, popcorn and proselytizing.” His solution: Since the U.S. Constitution “provides for separation of church and state,” baseball executives should institute “separation of church and baseball.”

To read more, click on the link above.

What are my thoughts, you might ask? Well I’ll answer it by asking a question of my own. Who’s it hurting and why is Mr. Chass so bothered by it? Is he an atheist? Did he get burned by the church at some time in his life? If anyone has any more details about this please let me know, but for now, I’ll just share my thoughts.

With the whole steroids era talk going on right now, isn’t the idea of players going to a team chapel on Sunday mornings a good thing? As a father of young children who love the game of baseball I think that it’s great! If kids are going to look up to some of these players, I want to point them to the example of these men, some of whom take every chance they get to share their faith. Whether it’s in the way of charitable work done without all of the media hoopla, or mentioning their faith during interviews, etc. I respect that in those players that I see or hear it about. Then there’s the whole Josh Hamilton story which speaks volumes. I won’t get into it here, but you can google it to find out more, I’m sure. It’s amazing that he’s even still in baseball.

After all, the article does say that these chapels are voluntary, doesn’t it? I really do not understand what Mr. Chass’ problem is with this practice. I suppose he doesn’t like it when football players kneel down to pray at mid-field before or after a big game or right before a game altering, last second kick or when players, in any sport, do the sign of the cross when they score a TD, hit a HR, score a goal or make an important shot. Really, who does it hurt? If you take this away from the players, then you’re taking away their right of religious freedom as well; and that is a big part of what this country was founded upon. Somehow, Mr. Chass has forgotten our national foundations of religious freedom.

In closing, these men have a God-given talent to play the game of baseball for a living, let them show their respects by attending these chapel meetings without persecution or “crusades against them”.

My name is Peter Schiller. I am the creator/owner of Baseball Reflections.com. I’m also a contributing writer. To read more of my work at Baseball Reflections just click HERE!

I am also affiliated with a great cause, a children’s book with a great message called, “A Glove of Their Own”. Everyone who purchases a copy of this great book using the promotional code PIF 129, a $3.00 donation will be made when purchased through the Franklin Mason Press website for Pitch In For Baseball at checkout. You can purchase a copy by following the link at their website http://www.agloveoftheirown.com

November 12, 2009 – Peter Schiller I read an article in World Magazine called, “Grinch in the press box: Baseball: Peanuts, popcorn, and proselytizing” by Marvin Olasky. The article is about New York Times sportswriter Murray Chass and his crusade “against voluntary Baseball Chapel services in major league locker rooms on Sunday mornings.” Times sportswriter [...]