Point After: Where Is The School Spirit?
Too many times this spring, our area baseball and softball teams have played in front of scarce crowds and empty bleachers. It's time to change that starting this week. I'm putting my faith in the Purple Platoon and the Dawg Pound at Chantilly and Westfield to get this rolling. We need noise on our crowd mics on the Gameday Radio Network, and your teams need school spirit on the diamond.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
In the fall, the students pack the stands and get decked out with paint and their school colors. Why not do the same for baseball and softball, and even lacrosse? With nice weather and big games ahead next week, there are no more excuses.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
DULLES, VA - The baseball season is coming down the stretch run, which means there will be some pretty important games ahead. For those that don't know, I played my high school baseball in Oklahoma. Some people still think we rode horses to school, but honestly, Oklahoma isn't all that different from Virginia.
However, there is one major difference that has motivated me to write this column. In Oklahoma, you can't find a seat at a high school baseball game. That hasn't been much of a problem here in Northern Virginia, as the fan support at our high school baseball games is average to say the least.
Granted, the families of the players do come out in full force, but where are the students? We see them at the football games, and also in the basketball gyms, but not baseball games? That makes no sense.
When my high school baseball team played, our entire student section filled the stands and made all sorts of noise when the opposing pitcher was warming up. Some of the things they said weren't so nice, but that's a different topic.
The bottom line is, to this point in the 2009 spring season, I've yet to see a jam packed facility with fans.
Now, before you get offended and send me nasty e-mails, understand the purpose of this column. We have some outstanding baseball and softball programs in this area, many that have a legit chance at the state tournament and even a title.
School spirit doesn't just end in March with basketball, come out, get your friends, and get to the ball park.
Next week we will broadcast some intense games, including the rematch between Westfield and Chantilly. Now, I know the Bulldog and Charger fans know what fan support means.
Andrew Crawford, Tyler Barfield, this message is for you, the two leaders of the student sections for Chantilly and Westfield. The Concorde District regular season title is on the line, so rally the hallways and let's see who can make the biggest impact on the game with the most noise. Get your chants ready, and let's see an unbelievable atmosphere next week.
Next Friday we'll be at Stone Bridge when Madison rolls into town. This game doesn't need much hype either, and it would be great if the Bulldog and Warhawk fans filled the place.
Every student in Loudoun and Fairfax that reads this column should take it upon themselves to come out to the baseball and softball games like you do for football and basketball.
The games are fun, the weather is finally nice, and you can make the atmosphere incredible.
There has only been one thing missing as we've watched the baseballs fly out of the park, or a great double play turned; the roar of the crowd!
Over the next month, the Gameday photography team will be looking for the loudest fans during the games. Your picture might just end up right here online on a game recap like these guys did in the fall.
I'll be at the ball park, will you?
If you would like to comment on this column or Andy's opinions, you can e-mail GamedayMagazine@aol.com
