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Event begins early with concert By Allison Kennedy Staff Writer A low-attendance problem at Columbus Catfish baseball games has a potential savior this summer in a Nashville, Tenn.,-based ministry called Third Coast Sports, with the second of three "Faith Nights" on schedule for Friday's game. The first Faith Night at Golden Park was June 3. "We want to develop a relationship between the baseball team and the local church community. And baseball teams are always looking for groups to come to the ballpark," said Mike Snider, president of Third Coast Sports. "Churches are all so busy and doing their own things and sometimes they're skeptical," he said about promotions at traditionally non-religious events. "But by putting on a legitimate event, with Veggie-Tales and Christian artists and making it a legitimate outreach opportunity, it's a good afternoon for a church group." The average announced attendance for Catfish games last year was 800 people. Golden Park seats 4,200. At the game Friday, Veggie-Tales' Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber will appear, and Christian recording artists Better Days Ahead will give a concert starting at 5:15 p.m. In addition, Catfish manager Travis Barbary will give his testimony — his story of coming to the Christian faith. The testimony and concert will take place before the game, Snider said, in an area in front of the main gate. The VeggieTales characters will roam the stands throughout the game. Coulson Barbiche, ticket operations director for the Catfish, said his team was considering such a promotion for churches when Snider's company called. "It's a market we definitely want to tap into," Barbiche said. "This is designed to be cost-effective for us, plus you get to hear national recording artists. . . . Minor-league baseball has grown enormously in the past 10 to 15 years and it's also become a good venue for promoting artists." Snider began sponsoring "Faith Night" in Nashville in 1999, stepping up its efforts the last few years, and this is the first season his company has brought it to Columbus and to minor-league baseball in Georgia. The events have been a hit so far for the Nashville Sounds, a Milwaukee Brewers AAA team. An average of 9,800 fans turned out at each of the seven Faith Nights in 2004, according to Third Coast Sports. That's a jump of 3,500 people per game. Snider said smaller markets such as Columbus are ideal for his organization "because there are a lot of churches there, and you want to look for a team that shares the vision and can use some help." The Catfish are one of 10 minor-league ball teams added to the "Faith Night" lineup this season. In preparing for "Faith Night," organizers contact local pastors and ministers, as well as team managers, to inquire about bringing church members to the game. "We're on the phone talking to pastors and ministers every day," Snider said. As for the Columbus events, "It might (take off) three years from now," he said. "It takes some time." The announced attendance for the June 3 Faith Night was 1,275 — above the season average but low for a Friday night. Snider called it disappointing, but said his company is committed to the area and to the Catfish. One Columbus church to be represented Friday is RiverTown Church. A group of members is going, led by the student minister. The church's senior pastor is also fully supportive of the concept. "I think it's wonderful," the Rev. David Rathel, pastor of RiverTown, said Wednesday. "To have faith displayed in the marketplace can only help our community. There can only be good to come of this." Coming up with the name "Faith Night" happened rather accidentally. "It's an innocent story, really," Snider said. "I called the Nashville Sounds, and I asked if they had a church night and basically we came up with 'Faith Night' and it just stuck. "It is 'Christian Night,' and it's not everybody's faith, but hopefully people aren't offended by that." He said all the religious events happen before the game, so unassuming ticket holders aren't made to participate in something they didn't expect. Third Coast Sports is the athletic division of Third Coast Artist Agency, which books such Christian recording artists as MercyMe, Audio Adrenaline and Jeremy Camp. IF YOU GO What: "Faith Night" at the Columbus Catfish game When: At about 5:30 p.m. Friday, the group Better Days Ahead performs and Catfish manager Travis Barbary gives his testimony. VeggieTales characters Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber will be on hand. Free baseballs go to the first 1,000 fans through the gates. The game, against the Greensboro (N.C.) Grasshoppers, starts at 7 p.m. Where: Golden Park, 100 Fourth St. Cost: Game Tickets cost $4-$7 Call: 1-888-456-0451 or 571-8866 Next Catfish "Faith Night": Aug. 19 featuring Christian singer Ginny Owens Online: www.thirdcoastsports.com or columbuscatfish.com |
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