Player subject to racist chants at Sherwood softball tournament

SHERWOOD Ore. (KPTV) - A weekend softball tournament in Sherwood ended on a bad note, not due to who won or lost, but because of alleged behavior by one team that parents of the opposing team are calling racist and unsportsmanlike.

Its not uncommon to hear cheering and chanting coming from the dugouts during softball games, and there was a lot of that this weekend during the USSSA’s Spookfest Girls Softball tournament.

“My daughter started out pitching and the game was progressing just as a normal softball game,” said Jamie Hogland, the parent of a player on the EForce team.

But towards the end of the game, EForce made a pitching change, and Hogland says the chants coming from the opposing team’s dugout, the Rebels, changed.

She’s a pitcher of color and the opposing teams’ dugout started making monkey sounds as well as barking at her when she was on the mound pitching,” Hogland said.

From the stands, parents say the changes in the cheers were obvious.

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“100% absolutely racist,” Hogland said.

But coaches of the Rebels had a different explanation.

In a statement, Rebels president James Heckathorn said:

“It was not the intention of our players or coaches to offend anyone. 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. Racism has no place in our world.”

Heckathorn was not at Sunday’s game and declined to answer any more questions about the timing of the chants.

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Tournament organizers were also made aware of what parents are calling unsportsmanlike conduct.

Oregon USSSA Fastpitch Director Alexa Peterson also released a statement:

“USSSA does not condone any form of racism or other unsportsmanlike conduct from any participants or attendees at our events. We have contacted the coach of the team involved who will be reaching out to the family affected.”

Parents say they never want to see this happen again.

“It takes the players’ focus away from the game. I am very proud and very impressed by the pitcher that she held her composure did her job, but it affects our girls,” Hogland said.

One of the Rebels’ coaches, who was at Sunday’s game, told FOX 12 she has reached out to the family of the pitcher that was heckled but they did not answer her call.