Mason Softball Walks-Up to the Beat of Their Own Drum

George Mason Athletics Softball 4/21/2016 1:41:00 PM

Fairfax, Va.- A tradition that began in baseball many years ago has made its way to the game of softball. The tradition, of course, is walk-up music.

The entire George Mason University softball team not only has one walk-up song but two, except for junior catcher Heather Ferguson, who only prefers the song "Fergalicious" by Fergie. These songs are not just for the hitters either, each of the three pitchers on the Patriots' staff have songs they prefer while warming up pre-game and before each inning.

Sophomore catcher Brooke Sullivan is the self-appointed team Disc Jockey, tasked with compiling all of the team's songs onto her iPhone. The Iphone then is given to the Public Address announcer who makes sure each song plays when the appropriate batter starts walking to the plate.

“I took on this job when working with the team on their warm up songs,” Sullivan said. “I love music, so its easy to go with everyone's different backgrounds and what everyone likes.”

With music genres varying from backwoods country to bubble gum pop, Mason fans can rest assured that at least one of the walk-up songs pumped from the speakers will appeal to their personal musical palate. If not, coming out to the George Mason University Softball Complex for a weekend doubleheader, could provide a fan with a new favorite jam.

Considering the length of most songs surpass three minutes and walking up to the plate takes less than 20 seconds, another important factor is picking exactly which snippet of the song to play.

“Usually, the best part of a song is the chorus but a lot of us are using the beginning of our song,” Sullivan said. “For me, the chorus is the part of the song that most people know, so it makes it fun and exciting to hear my teammates singing along to it before my at bat.”

During the off-season, senior left-fielder Julia Czarnecki did some walk-up music research and stumbled upon “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett. When Czarnecki found out the song was used by UFC star Ronda Rousey as her walk-up song, and the senior's mind was made up.

“I'm obsessed with Ronda Rousey and the song really pumps the crowd up,” Czarnecki said. “My second song is by Chiddy Bang and all of the girls made a personal cheer out of it for me, so that was pretty cool.”

Although some pitchers in college softball don't hit, freshman pitcher Marina Vitalich is used to having music played while she warms up in the circle. This routine allows her to get comfortable and relaxed before facing the first batter of the inning.

“I think it's important to warm up to the song of your choice because only you really know what will pump you up and make you feel good and ready.” Vitalich said. “I think it gives me an advantage when we're at home.”

The last chance to hear the musical variety of the Patriots is at their final home Atlantic 10 weekend series of the season against Saint Louis, May 7 and May 8. The complete list of each player's walk-up songs can be found below.

Song-Artist

#0 - Casey Price

Phenomenal- Eminem

Confident- Demi Lovato

#1 - Sarah Kleinfelter

White Iverson- Post Malone

Right Hand-Drake

Polarize Twenty-One Pilots

#2 - Taija Miller

Blood on The Leaves- Kanye West

Me and My Gang- Rascal Flatts

#4 - Sarah Solano