A Day At Sancet Stadium

As I look out at the scoreboard next to the "intimidator" in right field, I see that the Wildcats are up by a few runs heading into the top of the 6th inning. I wipe the sweat off my forehead and feel the 90 degree weather continue to cook me like a hamburger, and I can't help but think about another National Champion circle painted on the left field wall.

The announcer digs as deep as his voice will go to announce another player for the opposing team. Like clockwork, the Hot Corner chimes in and starts with the mind games of whatever sort of verbal constructs they can come up with. There's the usual "pick a major" or "get your life together". But the seasoned members are helping him remember the ground ball he booted with bases loaded in the 3rd. The 7th inning stretch rolls around and you don't hear much but the tape of the organ playing the tune over the loudspeaker. After two verses of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" the game is ready to continue. Homers follow by Steele, Gaston, Ziegler and Glenn. I lean back against the metal bench of section 13 and hope that this year is the year.

The game winds down, and the Cats put up a couple more security runs on the board. Heading into the top of the 9th, Lopez makes sure he has either Stoffel or Schlereth ready to close things out. Strike three is called and Arizona puts another win in the books. The fans gather their sunglasses and sunflower seeds, and head towards National Championship drive to collect their free 44 oz. thirst busters coupon from circle K for the 10+ strikeouts that Preston Guilmet and the rest of the Wildcat bullpen put in the scorebook. Jerry Kindall field lays dormant behind the smiles of wildcat fans young and old. They're hoping, as they have since 2004, that a trip to Omaha in June lies ahead.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The #1 Arizona Wildcat Baseball team finished the weekend winning all 3 of their games in the Whataburger Classic. In those 3 games, there were zero runs allowed as they improved their record to 9-1 on the season. This weekend the Wildcats face the Cal State Fullerton Titans at Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium. The series begins Friday at 7 p.m. MST.