…baseball and faith. Two stories:
O’Dowd can expect some backlash. Some will charge that no matter what he claims, the team discriminates against non-Christians. They will resent clubhouse pressure to conform with Christian values and attend Christian gatherings. USA Today ran a fair, balanced, mostly positive story about the Rockies. But the editors didn’t put this on the front page to encourage other teams to adopt the Rockies model. This story plays into fears of undue Christian influence on American institutions—including the national pastime. Last year, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig moved quickly to condemn remarks by Washington Nationals outfielder Ryan Church, who spoke to a chaplain about how Jews must believe in Jesus in order to be saved. Baseball’s keepers have no interest in fostering dialogue on the exclusivity of Christ.
I can’t say I blame them. I’m all for what the Rockies are doing. It’s nice to see good guys rewarded, and I’ll be rooting for them in the NL West standings from now on. Nevertheless, theology in the hands of baseball professionals can be a dangerous thing. "You look at things that have happened to us this year," O’Dowd told USA Today. "You look at some of the moves we made and didn’t make. You look at some of the games we’re winning. Those aren’t just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this." Pitcher Jason Jennings said, "They do preach character and good living here. It’s a must for them, and that starts from the very top. But we’re not a military group. Nobody is going to push their beliefs on each other or make judgments. We do believe that if you do things right and live your life right, good things are going to happen."
Far be it from me to challenge God’s providence. God’s hand is everywhere—even at Coors Field. And Proverbs offers plenty of affirmation for Jennings’s viewpoint. I just don’t know how to square these beliefs with the other side. Baseball, like life in general or Christianity in particular, isn’t so simple. What do we make of players who cheat, win titles, make gobs of money, and never get caught? And what about Christian athletes who can’t ward off injuries, never play for winning teams, and suffer teammate ridicule for their faith? Finally, if this character strategy doesn’t result in continued winning, will the Rockies abandon the plan?
This is where the metaphor for baseball as life breaks down. God does not promise that our good behavior will reap financial rewards—or wins. He does not promise to protect us from suffering—or injuries. He promises much more for his people—that justice will ultimately be done, that if we remain faithful, we will live with him and enjoy him forever.
Mr. Rhodes and his students were at the latest in ballpark promotions: Faith Nights, a spiritual twist on Frisbee Nights and Bat Days. While religious-themed sports promotions were once largely a Bible Belt phenomenon that entailed little more than ticket discounts for church and synagogue groups, Faith Nights feature bands, giveaways and revival-style testimonials from players. They have migrated from the Deep South to northern stadiums from Spokane, Wash., to Bridgewater, N.J.
Third Coast Sports, a company in Nashville that says it specializes in church marketing and event planning for sports teams, has scheduled 70 this year in 44 cities, and many teams produce Faith Nights on their own.
They are about to become even bigger. This summer, the religious promotions will hit Major League Baseball. The Atlanta Braves are planning three Faith Days this season, the Arizona Diamondbacks one. The Florida Marlins have tentatively scheduled a Faith Night for September.
(snip)
So far the promotions seem to be working where they count the most, at the box office. Attendance at Faith Nights organized by the Nashville Sounds, a Class AAA baseball team, are 59 percent higher than the team’s average attendance.
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