Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Cyclone Softball

Took in a Cyclone Softball game last Saturday, while Vicki and Paige went shopping. Always had some interest in going, but I've never been to one. It was a cold blustery day, as the Clones took on Top 20 ranked Baylor.

I had a really good time.

I wasn't expecting it to be that fun, but I kinda liked it. Now most of the fun was because I sat next to the Cyclone Hockey team, who went as a group to the game. And they were full of commentary, that you would expect from a bunch of college guys. They were cheering for the Cyclones. But they were also riding Baylor too. Nothing horrible or over the line, in my opinion, but snarky in a fun way.

Baylor had a player named Robin. So the guys were chanting, "Batman's sidekick! Batman's sidekick!" Or "You are a bird! You are a bird!" And they were hollering at on deck batters, "You have an ugly bat!" And of course they rode the umpires, especially on plays that weren't even close. A Cyclone player was thrown out at first by 3 steps. "C'mon Blue! Are you blind? Open your eyes!" A Baylor player hit a home run. They guys started chanting, "Steroids! Steroids!" It was hilarious.

I know the Clones have struggled in softball, and this game was no exception. Clones hung with them for 5 innings, then ended up losing by 10 or so.

The field is, what, maybe 3 years old now? It's really nice, and it in next to the new track and soccer field, just east of the Towers, and just north of the ice arena along Mortensen. Best of all, no charge to get into the game.

The really funny thing is, how much it is like high school sports tho. When we think about football or men's basketball, it is a huge event, and the players seem larger than life, and almost untouchable. Here, after the game, the Baylor girls left the dugout, walked behind the bleachers, and met their parents. They were carrying their own bat bags. I heard the Baylor pitcher's dad talking to his daughter about the plate umpire. Then the players all got onto the bus, still wearing their uniforms. So it is easy to say, Big 12 softball is not like Big 12 football.

But again, just wanted to mention it, because even though the Clones lost, and even though I was by myself, I had a pretty good time. I endorse Cyclone Softball for some good, cheap entertainment.