Baseball Chapel

Baseball Chapel is a non-denominational Christian ministry committed to the spiritual development of people throughout professional baseball. Baseball Chapel has functioned for over 35 years as a service to those in professional baseball who desire to deepen their Christian faith, but who are unable to attend church. Our ministry is directed toward players, coaches, managers and their wives, umpires, front office and ballpark staff. Chapel programs are established in every Major League, Minor League and Independent League city, beginning in spring training. Programs also exist throughout professional baseball in Latin America during both summer leagues and winter ball. Approximately 3,000 players, coaches, managers, trainers, umpires, team staff, stadium personnel and families of the players and coaches participate each week. In 1973, Watson Spoelstra, a Detroit sportswriter, approached Commissioner Bowie Kuhn with the idea of organizing a chapel program for every major league team. Kuhn granted approval and Baseball Chapel was officially created in 1974. By the start of 1975 all major league teams had a chapel program. A minor league program was established in 1978 and chapels were first held during winter ball in Latin America. Today, a network of approximately 500 volunteers serve with Baseball Chapel and eight full-time staff members conduct the day-to-day ministry operations.