While the national argument rages over sports team’s mascots and whether some are offensive, one baseball team from Midland is taking the initiative for themselves and their community.
The Midland Indians play in the North Dufferin Baseball League, which is comprised of teams in Simcoe and Dufferin counties and the Region of Peel. The league dates back as far as 1930 and has seen many teams come and go though most have been there from Day 1.
Pete Flood is an executive with the team as well as a player. The long-time resident of Midland has been with the club for 17 years and loves playing the game as much as he loves his town, which he feels led the team to discuss the issue.
“The whole thing had kind of been in the back of our minds for a while I think,” said Flood. “It’s been in the news so much on a major league level and after a while we almost collectively looked at each other and realized that maybe something needs to change here.”
Major League Baseball is currently dealing with the situation of the Cleveland Indians and their logo. One concern is that of the name Indians and its historical significance but more so the logo Chief Wahoo, the red-faced wide-smiling Native American caricature.
Many protests have been taking place as far back as the 1970s, but have become more regular as people begin to see how unnecessary the logo is. The recent playoffs feud between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland has heightened awareness in Canada, with a current case before the courts that could see the Ohio-based ball club have to leave their Chief Wahoo logo at home when playing at the Rogers Centre.
“I think when it was made more of an issue here in Canada is when we started realizing that this just isn’t right,” said Flood. “I started with the team when I was 17, I wasn’t thinking about anything other than baseball but now I realize there are more important things in life. We really love our community and just want to honour them and the history of baseball in Midland.”
Just changing the name isn’t as easy as it sounds. The Midland Indians have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the cost of getting all new uniforms and re-branding. On June 9 the team ordered new hats emblazoned with the letter “M” instead of the Chief Wahoo logo. The monetary goal at Midland Indians Campaign To Rebrand is $8,000 and they are currently at $335.
Any money made that is over the goal would be donated to the Midland Minor Baseball Association, whose moniker is the Twins. Flood knows that there is a lot to do before the fun part can be had, which is giving the new team a name. The ball club have tossed some names around such as the Mariners, the Pirates and Expos; but they may even look to the public for feedback as well.
“Ideally we would like to have this all done in time for next season and hit the ground running,” said Flood. “I’m sure it will be a big deal for everyone to name the club and again, we love our community and hope to get input there too.”
The pitcher for the team would like to see the name still reflect the history of First Nations in the area. Luke Sharpe grew up on the reservation in Rama and is Ojibwe. His father is a healer and medicine man. The 28-year-old said that while he understands the thought of the team wanting to change to avoid conflict, he and other First Nations players weren’t offended by the Indians name and would like to see it remain in-line with that.
“Personally I think the name Warriors would be great,” said Sharpe. “I didn’t see the issue and I grew up fully entrenched in the First Nations life and culture. I know my parents had experienced racism but I must say I never really did directly. It’s always in the background but never was it in my face.”
Sharpe is adamant that he wants everyone to love and respect First Nations culture and is hopeful that whatever happens with the outcome of the team’s rebranding that awareness and knowledge is obtained by everyone. Sharpe however is also a huge baseball fan and didn’t mind the connotation of the team’s moniker towards one of his favourite movies.
“When I first donned the Midland jersey I wasn’t thinking racism, I was thinking about Major League and how much I loved the movie,” joked Sharpe. “Again, I’d be okay if we left it related to First Nations culture but also want to respect the decision of the club and the community.”
If you’d like to give to the rebranding of the Midland NDBL squad, head to https://www.gofundme.com/midland-indians-campaign-to-rebrand and give what you can. The team will make known any plans for a name as they get closer to their goal.
