Orioles All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson and several teammates have at times been quite open in telling others of the importance of religious faith in their lives inside and outside baseball. They’ll have a chance to do so with the organization’s blessing Tuesday night.
Henderson, first baseman-outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, catcher James McCann and infielder Jordan Westburg are among the players expected to take part in Faith Night, a promotion the team is offering for anyone attending its home game against the Washington Nationals that evening.
After the final out is recorded, fans will be invited to stay and move down to the lower seating bowl at Camden Yards, an Orioles spokesperson said, where they’ll hear live music by Reach Worship, a Delaware-based church band that plays covers of well-known faith songs. The roster of players could change, the spokesperson said, but those present are expected to share thoughts about their faith lives with fans in the stands. Orioles broadcaster Rob Long will serve as emcee.
The evening is a local iteration of a trend that has taken hold in Major League Baseball in recent years. Eighteen of its 30 teams sponsored versions of Faith Night events last season, according to Religion Unplugged, a Texas-based nonprofit news site. They included the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners. Most centered on the Christian faith.
Tuesday night’s event will be the first Faith Night at Camden Yards.
An array of big league stars have shared their testimonies at similar festivities, including Dodgers pitching legend Clayton Kershaw, former Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and perennial Houston Astros All-Star Jose Altuve. Current Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and his wife, Lexi, are scheduled to host a “Faith and Baseball” night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia before an Aug. 30 game.
Though it represents outreach to the area’s faith community, the Orioles said the event is aimed at any and all who attend the 6:35 p.m. game.
“Baseball is for everyone, and all are welcome at Faith Night,” a team spokesman, Jackie Harig, said in an email to The Baltimore Sun. “It is not a night focused on what you do or do not believe in. It is a night built on the idea of community and bringing people of all backgrounds together.”
Tickets were still available as of Sunday evening.
