Pro teams adding religion to promotional fan days

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics will hold Jewish Heritage NIght at the ballpark this year.

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The Oakland Athletics will hold Jewish Heritage NIght at the ballpark this year.

But some religious and secular groups don't think such fan day promotions are appropriate.

For example, the Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wants equal time for other religions.

"The ultimate test of this kind of policy would be to have a Muslim Family Day — and gauge the public reaction to it," says spokesman Ibrahim Hooper. "Given the heightened state of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society, I have a feeling there would be some objections to that."

With more seats to fill during the course of a 162-game season than other sports, Major League teams are at the forefront.

The San Francisco Giants are planning Fellowship (Christian), Jewish Heritage and LDS Family (Mormon) nights for the 2011 season, says spokeswoman Staci Slaughter.

"We welcome everyone to the ballpark."

The Oakland A's will hold their first Jewish Heritage Night, says Steve Fanelli, executive director of ticket sales. Attendees get an A's yarmulke.

The club would only turn away groups that "promote violence," Fanelli says."We need to ensure their message doesn't conflict with our goals of setting up a fan-friendly environment."

Cast Your VoteOther baseball teams are involved:

• The Florida Marlins will hold their first Inspirational Forum after a game, with outfielder Chris Coghlan discussing his devotion to his faith.

• The Kansas City Royals will hold their third Faith & Family Day.

• The Colorado Rockies will hold their fifth Faith Day for all faiths this season

• And the Philadelphia Phillies stage their fourth Jewish Heritage Night.

MLB spokesman Matt Bourne says baseball has "confidence in our clubs to conduct ballpark promotions that are appropriate in tone and content."

Other leagues are promoting similar fan nights.

• The NBA's Golden State Warriors will hold their first Jewish Heritage night Sunday, including a Q&A with Israeli basketball player Omri Casspi.

• The NHL's Florida Panthers had a Jewish night this year.

• The NFL's St. Louis Rams held Christian Family Day in 2009.

Teams have pushed ethnic heritage days for years. But religion? That's problematic, answers Blair Scott, spokesman for American Atheists. It's not illegal, but Scott believes it's unethical.

"They're out to make a buck. They're taking advantage of people's religiosity to make that buck. "

Scott doubts he'll ever see "Atheist Day" at stadiums.

"When you have a Super Bowl party in the atheist community, two people show up. We don't tend to be big sports fans."

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