Outsports writer denied credential on 'Christian Night'

[Gator]

Well, isn't this quite maddening?

"Chris Tunno, the St. Louis Communications Coordinator, wrote me that “Major League Baseball and its member clubs do not credential web/blog sites. ... Major League Baseball and its member clubs credential only those media wishing to cover teams and their players, where a theme night would not fall under that category.”

Tunno told me instead to buy a ticket. So I did.

It marks the first time Outsports was denied a media credential in its 17-year history, according to co-founder Jim Buzinski. Outsports has been credentialed to cover Super Bowls and NFL games, Final Fours, the MLS Cup, MLB games, USOC events and even the ESPYs."

Are 'Christian Nights' common around the country in MLB? If so, yikes!

St. Louis Cardinals denied Outsports a credential for Christian Day, so we bought a ticket

 

[tapintoamerica]

As if fans didn't need another reason to hate the most sanctimonious team in sports.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

As a Cardinals fan, I hang my head in shame over this.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Before I even clicked, I thought this had to be St. Louis.

 

[dixiehack]

I always thought these promotions were about selling blocks of discount tickets to church youth groups and having some agreeably bland Christian pop/rock group do a post game concert. This just sounds like an overpriced FCA meeting.

 

[playthrough]

As a Cardinals fan, I hang my head in shame.

Fixed

 

[KYSportsWriter]

Fixed

Well played, sir.

 

[SFIND]

It marks the first time Outsports was denied a media credential in its 17-year history, according to co-founder Jim Buzinski. Outsports has been credentialed to cover Super Bowls and NFL games, Final Fours, the MLS Cup, MLB games, USOC events and even the ESPYs."

What? And even the ESPYs? Is that really hard to get credentials for?

 

[jeffersonfranklin]

Whether it be heritage nights for Hispanics, Germans or Irish, Farmers nights, Pride nights or Christian nights, it's all about selling more tickets and making money. It'd be fine by me if they'd all go away, but it's a cheap ploy by these clubs to rake in the green.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Was talking to a team executive last night (number two man in his organization). I told him I thought the Cardinals' decision was a bad idea, and he came up with a thought-provoking response.

His team(s) do similar things. Obviously, when you do, you get single-game credential requests. He told me you wouldn't believe the time you have to spend researching each and every one -- especially if different languages are involved.

The first time they really had any credential controversy was a Pride Night. They got a particular request, investigated it and realized it was going to be a problem. It was publication that didn't support gay rights. The V-P media relations chose to deny it, but ran it by this person. He backed the decision. He said the person who asked for the credential wrote about it, criticizing the team.

They laughed it off, secure in their knowledge of doing the right thing.

When he saw the Outsports story, he knew the Cardinals were going to be in trouble. I asked him if they would have denied the credential and he said, "Probably not." But he says he understood St. Louis's decision. You celebrate someone at the ballpark, they buy tickets, you want to make them comfortable, have a night they can enjoy. You see the credential request and you know what is going to happen. Just because you are supporting a "Christian Night" doesn't mean you are anti-gay rights.

He was shocked the Cardinals did it. But he understood their thinking. He feels there's a lot more nuance to this than people understand.

Figured I'd throw that in here.

 

[Alma]

Was talking to a team executive last night (number two man in his organization). I told him I thought the Cardinals' decision was a bad idea, and he came up with a thought-provoking response.

His team(s) do similar things. Obviously, when you do, you get single-game credential requests. He told me you wouldn't believe the time you have to spend researching each and every one -- especially if different languages are involved.

The first time they really had any credential controversy was a Pride Night. They got a particular request, investigated it and realized it was going to be a problem. It was publication that didn't support gay rights. The V-P media relations chose to deny it, but ran it by this person. He backed the decision. He said the person who asked for the credential wrote about it, criticizing the team.

They laughed it off, secure in their knowledge of doing the right thing.

When he saw the Outsports story, he knew the Cardinals were going to be in trouble. I asked him if they would have denied the credential and he said, "Probably not." But he says he understood St. Louis's decision. You celebrate someone at the ballpark, they buy tickets, you want to make them comfortable, have a night they can enjoy. You see the credential request and you know what is going to happen. Just because you are supporting a "Christian Night" doesn't mean you are anti-gay rights.

He was shocked the Cardinals did it. But he understood their thinking. He feels there's a lot more nuance to this than people understand.

Figured I'd throw that in here.

There is more nuance.

It's possible Outsports was there to either shame players for their faith or to try and put them on the spot about their political beliefs and how their faith intersects with it. Based on the story Outsports wrote, I'd guess there was some ill intentions there.

Christians are in a tough spot. I think - I'm very confident - there's room for an "in the world not of it" stance that basically says "like divorce is far too easy to execute according to American law, but also legally easy to do, so too is gay marriage the law of the land," but it's not the easiest position to articulate, and it requires having a fuller-bodied view of the gospel than some Christians, I dunno, have time to have, I guess.

 

[Bronco77]

Whether it be heritage nights for Hispanics, Germans or Irish, Farmers nights, Pride nights or Christian nights, it's all about selling more tickets and making money.

It probably all started with Bill Veeck. When he owned the White Sox in the late '70s, he had "nights" for all of Chicago's ethnic groups. The team wasn't very good and he was underfinanced, so he had to do something to get fans in the seats. Given Chicago's heritage and the man's promotional genius, it's a surprise he never had "Mob Night" or "Corrupt Politicians Night."

 

[Old Time Hockey]

It probably all started with Bill Veeck. When he owned the White Sox in the late '70s, he had "nights" for all of Chicago's ethnic groups. The team wasn't very good and he was underfinanced, so he had to do something to get fans in the seats. Given Chicago's heritage and the man's promotional genius, it's a surprise he never had "Mob Night" or "Corrupt Politicians Night."

The ballpark wouldn't have been big enough.

 

[hondo]

Fine. And I saw a You Tube video where a white college newspaper reporter was thrown out of a "public" forum on the grounds of a public university and sponsored by a black student group that receives funds from said public university on the grounds that he made them feel uncomfortable when he was just there to cover the event for the paper. So the bull**** goes both ways.

 

[WriteThinking]

And, gee, I wonder if the Outsports writer would have wanted to come to the next night's game?

 

[JC]

And, gee, I wonder if the Outsports writer would have wanted to come to the next night's game?

Who cares?

 

[Gator]

I agree. Who cares? If a writer wants to write about a certain angle, he or she should not be told no. I'm guessing the writer wanted to approach it by asking why the team still holds in high regard Lance Berkman, an outspoken anti-gay figure. The writer should not be denied in doing so.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I agree. Who cares? If a writer wants to write about a certain angle, he or she should not be told no. I'm guessing the writer wanted to approach it by asking why the team still holds in high regard Lance Berkman, an outspoken anti-gay figure. The writer should not be denied in doing so.

Bull****. You seem to think MLB or the Cardinals owe the media something. Bull****. They owe the media Nothing. They're a business. It doesn't matter if they cater to Christians or devil worshipers, they don't answer to the media. **** the media and their ****ing holier than thou self-righteous bull****.

 

[Alma]

I agree. Who cares? If a writer wants to write about a certain angle, he or she should not be told no. I'm guessing the writer wanted to approach it by asking why the team still holds in high regard Lance Berkman, an outspoken anti-gay figure. The writer should not be denied in doing so.

So when the Cardinals have pride night, you want Christianity Today at the game asking why the Cardinals embrace sexual sin? You granting that credential?

 

[Alma]

Bull****. You seem to think MLB or the Cardinals owe the media something. Bull****. They owe the media NOTHING. They're a business. It doesn't matter if they cater to Christians or devil worshipers, they don't answer to the media. **** the media and their ****ing holier than thou self-righteous bull****.

I mean, it's a little more nuanced than that. The Cardinals are having the night, and they're doing for PR.

But I get why the credential was denied. I don't think I would have denied it but I would have been really clear: If you're here to blow up the press conference and make the Christian players looks like fools and bigots, you won't be coming back.