Recently, there was a small alteration made at Truist Park, as the wooden “Chop On’ sign was officially removed.
Trusit Park, which is home for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves changed its team slogan for this coming season from “Chop On” to “For the A.”
Meanwhile, the team has not yet commented on their stance regarding what has been a trademark for years, the fans’ tomahawk chant and chop.
During last Fall’s NL Division Series, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, who is Cherokee Nation, didn’t hold back his feelings as he described the fans tomahawk chant as being utterly insulting.
Following last year’s playoffs, the Braves organization promised to review whether or not to continue encouraging fans with the tomahawk chant and chop or eliminate it.
Since the early 1990’s, during their run of division titles, the Braves have encouraged fans to do the chant, while distributing foam tomahawks.
Meanwhile, in a letter mailed out in early July to Atlanta Braves ticket holders, the organization emphasized that they are not planning on changing their team nickname.
They said in the letter, “We will always be the Atlanta Braves.”
Reflecting on the traditional chant and overall fan experience, the Braves expressed in these letters to their fans that they are seeking feedback from not only the Native American community but also reaching out to former players and fans for their views.
In talking about the chant which of course was sung by fans as they did the tomahawk motion, the organization expressed in the letter,
(chant) “Continues to inspire our players on the field.”
The organization doesn’t have to make any immediate decisions as Major League Baseball recently kicked off a shortened 60 games schedule which will be played with no fans in attendance.
