New Jersey gun dealer Matt Carmel is firing back after a local youth baseball committee denied his offer to sponsor his 10-year-old son's youth baseball team.
According to NJ.com, a local Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball league committee voted 8-1 against Carmel's submission because they consider his business "inappropriate."
"I don't like being pigeonholed," Carmel told NJ.com.
Carmel submitted the request to the South Orange-Maplewood Baseball Committee last October, offering to pay the $300 fee to sponsor his son Kalman's youth baseball team. The New Jersey gun dealer learned his request was denied two weeks ago following months of e-mails to the committee.
Committee secretary Craig Gruber voted against Carmel's team sponsorship, citing the potential controversy Carmel's team could bring to the league.
"Given the nature of that business, I’m certain there’d be quite a bit of contention. We don't need the headache," Gruber said. "We have our hands full with deciding whether infield fly rules should be in effect for nine-year-olds."
Carmel points out that the league already features team sponsors who could be considered "inappropriate." Team sponsors include alcohol and tobacco retailers and Cluck-U Chicken eatery, a restaurant whose promos feature a woman in a bikini with the words, "Large Breasts. Juicy Thighs. Luscious Legs."
The committee has no plans to revisit its decision, but Carmel hopes the youth baseball group gives his sponsorship another shot.
"All I want is fair treatment," Carmel said.
