By Miguel Fernández
During the debate over the use of language in various areas of our daily lives, PETA has raised its voice during the World Series to call for a ban on the use of the word “bullpen” in baseball. According to the animal rights organization, the bullpen is a term that refers to places where bulls are terrorized before they die. Taking advantage of the spotlight surrounding the title series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves, PETA is seeking to bring about a historic change in the sport.
Farewell to the bullpen
PETA is seeking to have the word bullpen replaced with a more friendly term like “arm barn.” A bullpen, in baseball, is a place where pitchers warm up before going in to pitch in a baseball game. “Words matter and the use of the term bullpen in baseball devalues the talent of the players and mocks the misery that animals suffer. PETA is calling on Major League Baseball players, managers, commentators, and fans to change their language and talk about the barn/arms storage,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.
In its official statement, PETA pointed out that bulls and cows spend their last moments in these places (the bullpen) while being tortured. For this reason, the organization believes that the term should have no place in a sport as popular in the United States as baseball. During these days, baseball is experiencing its most important moment of the year, with the World Series being played between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. PETA believes that this is the ideal opportunity to generate a radical change.
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
Cover photo from EFE