TIGARD, Ore. — A Canby youth softball team is under scrutiny after reports of players yelling racist chants toward a Black player on the opposing team.
Parents and spectators at the 14U softball game described the repeated chants as "monkey and barking" noises made toward the only Black player on the Eforce team.
“There were many times during the game where the chanting was absolutely inappropriate," said Jamie Hogland, who has a daughter playing on the Eforce team. "I do feel like the coaches on the other team are very well aware of what their players were doing, and they owe this family a personal apology."
The chants came from the Canby Rebels dugout over the weekend at Cook Park during the championship game.
Canby Rebels President James Heckathorn sent KGW a statement, which reads:
“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."
Hogland's daughter is one of the Eforce pitchers and pointed out to KGW that those chants were not made when her daughter was playing the same position during the game.
The father of that young girl didn't want to go on camera but shared a statement, saying, "I know the girls didn’t mean any harm, but it is essential for coaches, parents and players to actively challenge these behaviors, as they are hurtful. We need to create a welcoming environment for all. This behavior is not okay. At the end of the day, love conquers, and this can be a good teaching moment for all.”
A formal complaint with the United States Specialty Sports Association was made shortly after the incident.
The nonprofit posted on Facebook, "We are deeply saddened that this pitcher was feeling targeted based on her race. USSSA does not condone any form of racism. For full transparency, here is the compilation of every pitch that she threw. If the umpires and tournament staff had been made aware during the game that anyone was feeling uncomfortable or upset by the OR Rebels team, we would have immediately stopped it.”
The coach of the Canby Rebels said the accusations were false, and that none of the girls were acting in a racially-motivated manner.
"The girls were very excited and the barking and howling was absolutely obnoxious and annoying. There were no monkey sounds," coach Jodi Laug said in a statement shared with KGW.
Laug said she had a conversation with the father of the player affected, and apologized for any harm caused.
"We had what I thought was a very good conversation," She said. "He was gracious and explained to me why barking is racist. This is something I did not know, nor did any family on my team."
The player's father shared with KGW that this isn’t the first time his daughter has been racially targeted. He shared that a few months back, his daughter was told that “the Black kids needed to go to the back of the bus” when on a school bus headed to a volleyball game.
KGW’s Daisy Caballero asked Hogland what she would like to say to the young teens who participated in these chants.
“I would want to know from the kids, this is a learned behavior, did you know what you were doing? Did you know what that barking and monkey sounds was?” Hogland said. “This behavior cannot be tolerated in sports. It should not be tolerated for any youth activity."
Editor's note: This story was updated to include the statement from coach Jodi Laug.