Cheers

The softball complex is just over a mile from our hotel, on the other side of a long, winding rise.  You can hear the players well before you see them.

You can always hear softball players; it’s part of the game, different from baseball.  Boys in a dugout may chatter, heckle or yell, but they will not do organized cheers the way softball players do.  I grew used to it and even enjoy it for the contrast.  Girls who cheer are also girls who slide into second base, spikes high.

Before a game, Elmhurst players gather in a circle and go through some sort of organized shout, part war chant and part boogie.  After that, there’s a song “You get on, I get on, [fill in the blank]” for the top of the order followed by an individualized cheer for the batter.  Two years ago, the dugout serenaded our leadoff hitter with an Eddie Money song, Take Me Home Tonight; now, that was impressive.  With Clare, it’s either “Boo-cow-ski!  BUKOWSKI!” or “Clare-bear, Clare-bear!”  Personally, I like it more when my daughter just goes BOOM!

We did better today, splitting a pair, but no BOOM.  Clare had an rbi in two games.  Tomorrow, we should be at full strength, which will give us an idea as to our prospects this spring.