MAY 2012
Volume XVIII, Number 8
Culture
Policy
Staff
Past Issues
Current
Sports
Opinion
Feature
Campus News

Sports

Fans in the Stands
Intent to play KCC Soccer

Fans in the stands

Elizabeth Kerlikowske, AdvisorElizabeth Kerlikowske
Editorial Advisor

I hadn't been to a baseball game since my son played in grade school, so let's say fifteen years. I remember chiefly being bored out of my mind as was my son in the outfield where he stared at the sky when the ball was not coming his way and was busy looking at bugs when it was. Sometimes he pitched, and that gave me such anxiety that I would go to the refreshment stand and hide.

Watching the Bruin team play against KVCC was a completely different experience. Colton Loomis, one of my students, was the pitcher that day. Watching him warm-up, I could tell he had no anxiety about pitching. The ball rocketed into the catcher's mitt during his warm-up, and I felt pretty good about our chances based on nothing but my feelings.

When I arrived at Bailey Park, I didnt know which field we played on because I was shocked that there was more than one! I didn't know which stands were the home teams. I didn't know much of anything and I didn't know anyone. By the time I left, I knew Colton's mom and grandma, Sean Clancy's mom and Kody Carson's dad, who I'm guessing, had to move away from me because I was a moron. More on that later.

I had forgotten that there are certain things fans yell from the stands, but by the second inning, that all came back to me. "Way to watch 'em." "Wait for it. Wait for it." KVCC was supposed to have a good team, but it was definitely not their day. However, the game was all very polite and sportsmanlike, NOT like the Little League games where there had been taunting and jeering by opposing teams, and those were the coaches.

When the Bruins turn to field came, they rushed to their positions. When a player scored or sacrificed so a teammate could score, the Bruins came out and congratulated him. I was completely impressed by the team spirit. And I was impressed with the fan spirit. Many of the dads and other male fans stood along a fence near the dugout where there was much spitting of sunflower seeds. The sounds of the cleats on the asphalt sounded like a weird form of tap dancing.

Women sat in the stands and watched the game. Mikki Bortell, Cam's mom and former KCC employee and wife of Russ Bortell, women's softball coach, was pretty adamant about pointing out her son. Cam was HER son when he made great plays; he was Russ's son when he struck out. Anna Cox, math professor, is a regular attendee of games. By listening to her and Mikki and Mrs. Clancy, I learned a lot. For example, I learned about "walk up music."

OK. This is why Kody's dad might have had to move. I'm a person who loves silence, so to be sitting nearly in the country, staring at trees in the April sun with chatting around me was great. Then the music hit. Between each batter, even if it was five seconds, there was music. I'm complaining about it to whomever will listen. After I said for the nth time, "Do people here hate silence or what?" These kindly women explained that each player chooses music to be played when he walks to the plate. The fans know the line-up is changed by the music. And Mrs. Clancy added that at the beginning of the season, fans sit in fear that their son has chosen something wildly inappropriate. They all agreed, however, that mostly they couldn't understand the loud lyrics anyway, but it was a nice thing to do.

I still didn't love it, but at least I understood why it was happening. I saw a cop car across the field stop, back around, and take a short break at the game. Fans came and went. I asked where the restroom was, and most people suggested the Subway across from the park.

Colton pitched a great game. The final score was 6-0. His mom and grandma had come from Mt. Pleasant, and of course, they were thrilled with the outcome. They had utter confidence in his abilities. It was a double header, but I had a meeting and a class to teach that night, so I had to leave.

Drew Fleming greets his fans.As a professor, I love to see my students doing what they are passionate about in case it's not literature. I certainly hope I get to see Sean pitch before the season is over. I commend Coach Laskovy on the team building and sportsmanship he has overseen. If you haven't gone to a game, promise yourself next year you will go to some KCC sporting event because you will see a side of college life you don't see in the classroom or the hallways.

Then I asked myself, "What would I choose for walk up music?" I'm sure everyone would be blown away by Gregorian chanting.


Drew Fleming greets his fans.
photo by Elizabeth Kerlikowske

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Second half of spring season underway at Kellogg Community College

Colton Loomis
Staff Writer

Baseball: Many coaches preach to their athletes that each season has multiple parts within it. As for baseball here at KCC, when the team heads south for the spring trip, that is considered part 1 or the pre-season tune up. Part 2 of the season is the conference portion of our season. This makes up for approximately 30 games or over half of the season. Part 3 of the season is when conference is finished and the regional tournament begins. In order to make it to part 3, Kellogg Community College must finish within the top 5 of there conference.

Currently the Kellogg Community College baseball is in the mix for the top spot in the conference with an overall record of 20-16 and a conference record of 10-4. The KCC baseball team has had many ups and downs so far this season. To begin the month of April, the baseball team went on a 9 game winning streak and as of April 16, 2012 the bruins have won 11 out of there last 12 games. The second half of April was a tough challenge for the bruins, they had to play 10 conference games starting with a double header against interstate rival Kalamazoo Valley Community College and ending with St. Clair County Community College. This was a much needed test for the Bruins and has them ready to go for regionals in May.

Softball: The Kellogg Community College Softball team has had its struggles to begin the 2012 season. Currently with a 12-15 overall record and a 5-11 conference record, they are looking to make a move in the 2nd half of the season. The Lady Bruins know that they are capable of being in the mix for the best team in the conference. However, so far this season, errors and not getting the timely hit have been the difference maker in winning and losing games that are decided by fewer than 3 runs.

The MCCAA is a very tough conference for softball teams, and there are great athletes all around the conference. Currently Kalamazoo Valley Community College andMuskegon Community College are both ranked in the top 25 for NJCAA Div II softball. The Lady Bruins came up empty handed with KVCC but still have another chance to take 2 from Muskegon Community College to finish the regular season, which will cap off a streak of 16 straight conference games. This last portion of the season is going to be crucial for the Lady Bruins. Having 16 conference games in a row can make or break a season.

Chad Mayle and Brett Schulz help warm up the pither



Chad Mayle and Brett Schulz help warm up the pither.
photo by Simon Thalmann

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