Photoessay #198 - Ritual at Howe Field

Ritual begins college softball games, my only experience is in the Pac 10, but I assume it's similar in other conferences. At the beginning, the visiting team is announced, first the bench players, then the starters in batting order, then the coaches. They stand on the third base line. Then some hoopla and the home team is introduced. First the bench players, then the starters by position starting with the outfield, then the infield, then the battery (catcher and pitcher), then the designated player, then the coaches. The non-field players including the designated player stand on the first base line, next to the coaches. The starting outfielders gather together in center field; the infielders and the battery stand in the pitcher's circle.

Everybody is in place for the National Anthem.

Here, we witness the start of the University of Oregon/Arizona State University game during the last weekend of the Pac 10 season, the Saturday game at Howe Field in Eugene. I maintain that Howe Field is the oldest softball field in general use in, in, I don't know, the NCAA, Division 1, something. I will post more pictures of Howe Field in the future. Definitely, Howe Field boasts great atmosphere and tradition. Built in the 1930s, the University played baseball here until the late 70s when baseball was discontinued (it's now back!). In the late 80s, the field was converted to a softball field to accommodate the Title IX inspired softball team. The field itself features a great playing surface, other teams have said the dirt at Oregon is the BEST. The staff member in charge of the field (can't quite remember his name, Bill?) takes meticulous care that the field is in perfect condition. Nobody messes with his field, when he's gotten it ready. Even the coaches don't step on those lines. I've seen him take a spoonful of dirt and deposit it several feet away. He has VERY high standards. The facilities...mmmm...another story.

Great location, right in the center of campus next to the venerable MacArthur Court (what a heap that place is, also boasts lots of 'atmosphere') and Hayward Field (vaunted wood track stadium).

Susanna, as starting second baseman, stands in the pitcher's circle. The starters from left year, left to right, Jo Gail (3B), Jen Sailing (SS) (first team All American and member of Canadian National team, Alicia Cook (pitcher), Amie Morris (C), Suzie Barnes (2B) and Kristie Leiter (1B). Look for the hole (second from right) and there's Susanna. I'm thinking that must be new AD, Pat Kilkenny, to the left of head coach Kathy Arendsen. Susanna's favorite, Coach Pick, the conditioning coach stands with the white shirt on.

The players stand with their feet touching, that's their ritual. The umpires stand behind home plate with their hats off. You can also hear the national anthem playing (ok, recorded unless the pep band is there).

This game did not go Oregon's way, I believe they were mercied by the highly ranked ASU 8-0. Towards the end of the game, the events people came to me in the stand with a huge arrangement of a dozen white roses. Sent by Susanna's beloved travel ball coach and his family, the flowers were in honor of Susanna's last home weekend. Would I take them and make sure Susanna got them? Everybody noticed them, I gave them to her after the game.