OREM, Utah - The Utah minor league baseball team that was getting attention online for its scheduled "Caucasian Heritage Night" has canceled the event after complaints from fans.
"It's race baiting and I think that they need to be very, very careful. It's a dangerous game that they're playing," said Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP Salt Lake City branch. "I'm very surprised they would even think of putting something like that on."
However, the concern was not as great amongst some people who attended an Owlz game on Friday night.
"The race thing-it's old, I guess for lack of a better term. I don't understand why everybody clings on so tight to race," said Farrell Lafferty.
Lafferty's sentiments were echoed by many in attendance. Garett Thompson, an African American male, did not believe the event should have been canceled.
"There are a lot of white people in Utah, honestly. So, I don't really see that big of a problem with it," Thompson said. "I mean, sure I'd like for there to be African American night and other races."
The team posted on its website the event was scheduled "long ago" and said in light of recent tragic events, it will cancel the evening.
The Orem Owlz were scheduled to host "Caucasian Heritage Night" Aug. 10 when the team plays Missoula.
According to the team's website, the original night was to include "Wonder Bread on burgers with mayonnaise, clips from shows like Friends and Seinfeld and trying to solve the vertical leaping challenge."
Team officials said the event has now been removed from the promotional schedule.
On the team's website, the promotion originally stated:
"Irish, Italian, Scandinavian, German.... or even Utahn! Whatever your background, celebrate it at the Home of the Owlz!"
The team plans to hosts many other promotional nights including "Homemaking Night," "Cosplay/LARPing Night" and "Back Hair Night."
