Jesus Bats Cleanup

The Sunday edition of the Washington Post has a story about the prevalence of organized prayer services in baseball clubhouses.

In 300 ballparks across the country, volunteer chapel leaders hold English and Spanish services for major and minor league teams. Baseball Chapel, the Christian ministry that organizes the prayers, estimates that nearly 3,000 people worship each week in services held in bullpens, under the stands, while sitting on towels in the showers, or huddled in the laundry room reciting the gospel to the thump of dryers.

My sense is that for many ball players, a notoriously superstitious lot, the crucifix is just another lucky charm. But surely, some do take their faith more seriously. Take, for instance, the comments of the aptly named Washington National, Ryan Church.

Church was concerned because his former girlfriend was Jewish. He turned to Moeller, "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed? Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word."

Yes, Mr. Church, it's up to you. Unfortunately, the Nationals season looks like it’s winding down. I guess salvation will have to wait until next spring.

--Matthew McCoy