The Orem Owlz canceled a planned “Caucasian Heritage Night” after the Angels’ Rookie League affiliate found itself in the center of controversy over the ill-chosen promotion. The team’s media director also resigned as a result of the backlash. The team offered this attempt to explain the promotion:
Minor League Baseball and the Orem Owlz is about baseball, togetherness and family fun for all fans of all races, religions and orientations. Our goal in this promotion, like any of our promotions, is to have fun and make fun of everyday normalcies,” the Owlz said. “Our 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.
Orem, Utah is 85% white according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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