St. Paul Saints plan to change name for a night at atheist-sponsored game

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Paul Saints plan to change their name for a game sponsored by atheist groups.

The American Association minor league club will call itself the “Mr. Paul Aints” when they host the Amarillo Sox on Aug. 10.

The Minnesota Atheists and American Atheists suggested the promotion to tie in with a regional atheist conference in town that weekend. The game’s billing is “a night of unbelievable fun.” The letter “s” will be covered up on Saints signs in the ballpark. Player jerseys will be auctioned for charity.

Saints executive Derek Sharrer says the club has “no intention of mocking or making fun of anyone’s faith.” He says several faith-based organizations have sponsored games before and that the Saints felt it would be “hypocritical” to tell the atheists no.