United Methodists Take the Ballpark and the Pitcher’s Mound
Churches show up strong to cheer on Bishop Saenz, Texas Rangers
On July 22, hundreds of clergy and laity of the emerging Horizon Texas Conference were among the crowd at Globe Life Field, watching the World Champion Texas Rangers defeat the Chicago White Sox, 4-3. The nail-biting ninth and 10th innings were only the second-most-watched part of the game, though. These church members, some traveling from as far as Waco, Walnut Springs and Pattonville, made the journey first and foremost to see the evening’s honorary first pitch.
Eight months earlier, while the glow of the Rangers’ World Series win was still new, Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr. made a simple – if daunting – request that went something like: I’d like to throw out a first pitch at a Rangers game. Our conferences cover Dallas and Fort Worth – the Rangers’ entire backyard. United Methodist Night at the Ballpark. Let’s make it happen.
A challenge, to be sure, but the wheels were immediately in motion. By February, the Rangers promotions team had shared open dates for the Bishop’s consideration, and in May, group ticket options were confirmed. Suddenly “United Methodist Night” had moved from pipe dream to reality.
Brought together by their fandom (and the connection), United Methodists took the idea and ran with it. Some churches, like Spring Valley UMC and Wesley UMC Greenville, sent groups to the game, buying blocks of tickets together. Epworth UMC’s group was easily recognizable in their blue branded game day shirts. Others used the evening to connect with longtime colleagues or make new friends, creating sections that brought together cross-church and cross-conference crowds.
In a coincidence that could only be the Spirit at work, the singer performing "The Star-Spangled Banner," was also an area United Methodist. Taylor Smith-Bothun is a member of Highland Park UMC and a staple of the Chancel Choir.
Before Bishop Saenz headed to the mound, he took a moment to scope out the United Methodist sections around the ballpark. And after sending a pitch whizzing to first-base coach Corey Ragsdale, he paused to wave and see those who shared in the dream come true. And to dream even bigger for year two.
"It was it was a proud moment," Sáenz said. "I was proud, not that I was there, but that the people showed up, the Methodists showed up, and that we had a blast. And at the end of the day, we won the game."
Published: Wednesday, July 24, 2024