Canby Rebels softball team under fire for reports of racist chants against Black player
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Local youth softball is up in arms as parents accuse a Canby team of shouting racist chants at a black player over the weekend.
Concerning chants were caught on camera in the Canby Rebels' dugout during a championship game in Sherwood on Sunday night. The chants were directed at the only Black player.
One parent, Jamie Hogland, told KOIN 6 News that distracting chants are not uncommon. In fact, trying to throw the other team off is a part of fast pitch culture. However, she said the shouts took a turn when the team swapped pitchers.
"My daughter was pitching the first part of the game, chanting was just as to be expected, and then when our one child of color took the mound in the same position that my daughter was playing, the chanting changed, and that's when the barking happened and the monkey sounds,” Holland said.
Once it started, Hogland said parents immediately starting saying,” Wait a second, this doesn’t sound right.”
"I don't think the kids had any ill intent, but we need to continue to bring attention to what is appropriate and what is not," Hogland said. "We need to continue to educate our kids, our families, our coaches, on what's acceptable on and off the field, so that this doesn't continue to move forward."
A complaint was filed with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). Oregon Fastpitch Director Alexa Peterson shared the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened that this pitcher was feeling targeted based on her race. USSSA does not condone any form of racism. For full transparency, here is the compilation of every pitch that she threw. If the umpires and tournament staff had been made aware during the game that anyone was feeling uncomfortable or upset by the OR Rebels team, we would have immediately stopped it.”
Meanwhile, the president of the Canby Rebels said their coach has since met with the impacted player's family. He said their camp did not intend to offend anyone, adding that “discussions will be had with our players and coaches to address this issue and increase awareness to ensure all chants and cheers are in good sportsmanship to limit misinterpretation."
"Oregon Rebels will not tolerate racist, threatening, or derogatory comments directed at players, teams, umpires, or fans," he said on behalf of the team. "Racism has no place in our world."
Watch the full video of every pitch made during the game, provided by USSSA.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.