Keep God out of the big leagues.

CHICAGO CUBS SLUGGER SAMMY Sosa often crosses himself before stepping into the batter's box, presumably praying for a productive plate appearance. Maybe it works: He hit 40 home runs in 1996, a season abbreviated by a broken hand. Maybe it doesn't: He also had 134 strikeouts in that injury-interrupted campaign. Or maybe making the sign of the cross has no more effect on Sosa's performance than adjusting his jock strap.

Athletics have become bloated with billions of dollars, exponential television exposure, and, in some places, an even loftier status than religion itself. (For many, the phrase "keeping the Sabbath holy" means wearing the same tattered Dallas Cowboys jersey Sunday after Sunday.)

But the pedestal that sports occupies in the United States doesn't mean that God cares whether you win or lose or even how you play the game.

Let's hope he has bigger fish to multiply.

The way some people praise God on the field and later in the postgame pulpit, though, it appears that he has more control than the coaches, the officials, and even the players themselves.

After Bethel College, a small Christian school in Mishawaka, Indiana, won the 1995 NAIA men's basketball national championship with a come-from-behind victory over Northwest Nazarene on its home court in Nampa, Idaho, winning coach Mike Lightfoot told the South Bend Tribune, "When we were down six, I said to myself, Lord, this is your plan, and I'll let you show us how we're going to win.' After all, he is a much better coach than I am."

Northwest Nazarene's coach probably wasn't as pleased with God's game plan.

Likewise the NFL's Seattle Seahawks probably would have preferred to consult with the Creator before a missed field goal cost them a game against the Detroit Lions last season. When the 42-yard, last-chance kick sailed wide, the Lions' Luther Ellis suggested that "The good Lord did it."

"Somebody wanted us to have a break," added his Lions teammate Van Malone.

Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free-Press offered this tongued-in-cheek interpretation of those invocations. "This is probably not what the good Lord had in mind when he encouraged us to seek him out.

"Personally," he added, "l think God has more important things to do than worry about a Lions game."

But more and more athletes seem to be reaching out to God in the context of their contests.

When Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson fought for the heavyweight boxing championship last November, it became a virtual David and Goliath holy war, Christian versus Muslim, mano a mano. The irony of bringing religion into the ring didn't seem to occur to the combatants, who pledged to beat each other bloody in the name of their God.

Religious rhetoric, particularly from Holyfield, who wore a hat with "Jesus" written on it to a prefight press conference, prompted Tyson's comanager Rory Holloway to wonder, "What makes Holyfield think God shines on only one side of the street?"

Tyson's other comanager, John Horne, added," After [Holyfield] gets knocked out, God will still love him."

Of course Holyfield knocked out Tyson -- striking a blow for Christianity? -- and he pledged to "pray even harder" in preparation for the inevitable rematch.

God help us when the person who prays hardest wins, particularly in boxing, the most brutal and corrupt game on God's green earth, but prayer is no more appropriate in the more main-stream American sports.

University of Flordia quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and a devout Christian, clasps his hands in a prayerful pose after each of his many touchdown passes, giving glory to God every time he guides the Gators across the goal line.

He must have sinned something fierce, then, before his Fiesta Bowl fiasco last year, a 62-to-24 loss to Nebraska in the national championship game. Three interceptions? Good God, what must the kid have done?

It seems absurd, of course, to imply that God's wrath wrecked Wuerffel's performance. But it is equally absurd to assume that God's influence inspires athletic success. To suggest otherwise diminishes the deity to the status of sports fanatic, an omnipotent couch potato with eternal DirectTV, not unlike the golf-loving God Burt Reynolds portrays in a series of ESPN commercials. When he doesn't have time to watch a tournament, he simply causes a rain out and plans to watch next year.

If God pays that much attention to sports, he rests on more than the seventh day.

The problem with praising God for athletic success is that if he guides one team to victory, by definition he leads the other team to defeat, hardly the conduct congregations have come to expect from an all-loving Creator, who probably couldn't care less about the games to which humans attach such divine importance.

No other area of human endeavor inspires its participants to such spontaneous fits of prayer. How many accountants kneel next to their desks after a successful day at the office, thanking God because, after all, he is a much better auditor than I am?

Athletes prone to public prayer often insist that they are not thanking God for the touchdown or the home run, but for the ability God has given them - the skill to succeed at sports. It is refreshing in an era of arrogance to see players give credit to someone other than themselves, but when they bow before God after a big play they trivialize religion.

Faith is about something deeper than a three-point play at the buzzer. It is about resolving at least asking -- the biggest questions of our existence. It has nothing to do with the biggest games of the season, contrary to what future generations may surmise when they see the fuss 20th-century America made over, say, the Super Bowl. They don't call any other day "Super Sunday."

But sports are simply the spoils of a prosperous society at peace, the pastime of a people whose problems can be forgotten for a few hours when their favorite team is on television. Revel in the recreation that games provide, for participants and spectators alike, but don't make them a religion.

Save the prayers for the locker room, or the bus, or better yet, the bedroom or some other private place where the words of thanks won't be lost amid the din of the cheering multitudes, where the prayers won't seem like so much shameless preening.

God-fearing athletes, of course, would take exception to such a characterization of their actions. Indeed, many would likely become down-right indignant.

Perhaps they would say it's nobody's business but their own when and where they choose to express their faith. And, in a First Amendment sense, they would be right. From genuflecting in the end zone to gyrating in front of the television cameras, athletes should have the freedom to act as they please, as long as it doesn't disrupt the game.

But in a larger sense, players who pray on the playgrounds should realize that they aren't glorifying God when they kneel in the end zone or cross themselves in the batter's box. They are glorifying the game itself by invoking the name of the Lord in an otherwise insignificant instance.

That reduces religion to little more than a prop to enhance an athlete's performance. The best become as beloved as saints. And the stadiums become sanctuaries.

Where prayer fits into

sports is:

Where an athlete finds prayer . fits for them. Praying on the field is better than not praying at all. Jennifer Muzyka Lexington, Ky.

Prayer is most effective if done privately, as prayer is an individual's communication with God. Claire Johnston Princeton, N.J.

It's a very human thing to ask for God's help in winning a game, be it individual or team prayer, since prayer is simply talking to God. Kahi Dunne Dunwoody, Ga.

Prayer helps a team to take a loss in stride. Connie Miknis Sonoma, Calif.

If prayer feels natural, then athletes should pray. Some people make the sign of the cross often, as I do, saying little prayers for persons needing help. Edith Bartsch Shively, Ky.

Prayer belongs before of after a game in the locker room. It's refreshing to see players acknowledge God. Stan Sottys Grand Rapids, Mich.

Prayer in sports is fine as long as everyone benefits, for example, a prayer for the protection from harm or serious for all players in a game. Joseph D. Cole Louisville, Ky.

I don't think prayer fits into sports at all. Melinda A. Matthews Alliance, Ohio

Why not bring the sacred into the secular? Kids look to sports figures as role models. Praying role models are better than swearing, violent role models. Father Cedric Piseyna, C.P. Sacramento, Calif.

Prayer fits into the personal lives of athletes. If an athlete doesn't pray regularly in their private lives, they shouldn't do it publicly. Father Darryl J. Pepin Iron Mountain, Mich.

The same way it does in any occupation. Prayer teaches us compassion and helps us to understand others. Samuel W. Harnish, Jr. Berwyn, Ill.

Athletes should say prayers thanking God for their athletic talents. Name withheld Fenton, Mo.

It,s nice to see athletes pray on the playing field instead of showing off or pointing to themselves as the most important things in the world. Nancy Dowrey Orchard Park, N.Y.

An athlete who prays publicly is brave because they open themselves to ridicule. Barbara Wozniak Dayton, Ohio

The good (or bad) status

of American sports is:

American sports provides a good clean way for people of different status, age, gender, and color to come together by watching or participating in fun activities. Margaret Kallesen Sioux City, Iowa 

The bad status of American sports is that it is big business. Mary Lou Eisenbeis Gladwin, Mich.

Sports gives children a chance to dream and helps them strive for a way out of a tough life. Valerie Shippen Manchester, Mass.

Winning at any cost in American sports has had a bad influence on kids. Leadership and sportsmanship used to be more important. James Stenson Mount Sinai, N.Y.

Sports provides a healthy outlet for energy and enthusiasm outside of one's personal life and work. Caryn McAndrezvs Woodstock, Ill.

Sports in America are no longer "sports," but paid performances of professionals -- college and pros alike. Allan Hagerstrand Rome, Ga.

Individual earnings have become more important than playing a game for the benefit of the fans. To what are professional athletes loyal -- their salaries or their teams? Money is their God. Mary A. O'Brien North Falmouth, Mass.

Sports relieves primitive emotions, which can be both good and bad for the athletes and fans, it depends on whether they view sports as a game or a holy war. Joseph A. Skokna LaGrange, Ill.

The cost of attending sports events is becoming prohibitive. Family attendance is possible only for the wealthy. Sister Mary Mark Lemont, Ill

Americans learn in their early school years that if one plays a sport, he or she can get away with breaking more rules than others. J. M. Mikkelsons Menomonie, Wis.

There are many opportunities for athletes to better themselves in their sport. It shows kids that those who work the hardest usually succeed. Cosette Schaaf Yuma, Ariz.

American sports have become more" showmanship" than "sportsmanship." The concept of teamwork has been replaced by many individuals showcasing their talents. JoAnn Gadren Cherry HIll, N.J.

Many athletes contribute time and money and are good role models for children and others. Pat Crane Milford, Mich.

Too much money is spent on a game. l'm not anti-sports, but the millions of dollars spent could be put to a much better use. Carla Magnone Washington, Pa.

Comments.

Freedom of religion means just that. We should be able to celebrate our religion when and where we please without fear of reprisal. Dorothy J. Coakley El Cerrito, Calif.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says: "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances." By the way, I am an accountant, and I do thank God during the day, many times at my desk. Francis Gonser Erie, Pa.

Pray that you will play well, and are a good example to others, but pray silently. Matthew 6:5 says: "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites ... go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret." Timothy R. Hopkins Black River Falls, Wis.

The phenomenon of bringing God into the "big leagues" is not limited to sports. It also appears in many aspects of life such as the gambler who plays to win at the slot machine and the incompetent who prays to win the corporate promotion. Such individuals also trivialize religion. Name withheld West Orange, N.J.

When I attended our state university two generations ago, our football team was regularly trounced by Notre Dame. I still resent a remark of a priest friend that any good Catholic would root for Notre Dame. Bill Cahill Wheaton, Ill.

I cringe every time I hear, "That was a Hail Mary play." Using a reference to Jesus's mother for a football play is a sin against God. Catharine Woodruff Hutchinson, Kan.

I'll respect athletes who show us how much they love God on the field when I read about them donating to the church of their choice from their astronomical salaries. Matthew G. Monahan Staten Island, N.Y.

When a person chooses to pray it's their business. No one should be criticized for their method of prayer. Don Wiener Chicago, Ill

We tell people to live and share their faith, to be good role models, so we should be happy to see athletes praying publicly. Paul Tomasso Rochester, N.Y.

If athletes are inclined to pray, perhaps they would be more productive praying about the attitude and behavior of some of their teammates. Gail Valceschini Susanville, Calif.

I wish sports were just for fun. Even grade-school sports have become too competitive because parents want to win. Edith R. Gottsacker, O.S.F. Sioux City, Iowa

No person is worth millions of dollars to use God-given talents while millions starve. It's obscene. Elaine B. Davis Davison, Mich.

(All comments used in Feedback must be signed, but we withhold names on request. We regret that space limitations force us to condense letters and that many cannot be used at all. We try to reflect major opinion trends accurately. Our thanks to all who wrote. -- The Editors)D