As dark clouds threatening rain gathered in the sky above Eck Stadium, undaunted Shocker fans ducked under a big yellow-and-white striped tent and queued up for food, drinks and fun at the WSU Alumni Association-hosted Baseball Alumni Tailgate (BAT) Party.
“Even though the weather was somewhat less than ideal for a pre-game party, the fans who came out had a great time,” says assistant director of alumni relations Ashlee Baysinger '12. “A special thanks goes to our event sponsor House of Schwan for providing beverages.”
Shocker baseball fans who didn't let threatening
weather dampen their Shocker spirit, and came
out for a pre-game party.
Held May 5 before the Shockers took the field to battle the Kansas State Wildcats, the BAT Party featured remarks from alumni association president and CEO Courtney M. Marshall and “Voice of the Shockers” Mike Kennedy '71.
Marshall, who began her tenure as the top WSUAA administrative leader in January, thanked the fans for braving the weather and coming out to support the Shockers. Marshall expressed admiration for the young team that this season has alternately struggled and shown flashes of brilliance – the latter visible during a sweep of New Mexico and a victory over 25th ranked Oklahoma.
“This was another great opportunity to meet dedicated Shocker fans,” Marshall says of her first BAT Party.
As the 6:30 p.m. game time drew near and rain began to fall, Shocker spirit could not be dampened. By game's end, fans had been treated to 15 Shocker hits and a delightfully lopsided game, with the Shockers walloping the Wildcats, 11-5. “I had heard the BAT Party was a great annual tradition,” says Marshall.
“It was great to see so many fans come out, despite the weather. And the Shocker victory was the icing on the cake.”
BAT Party attendees included WSUAA board members Cindy Claycomb '79/91 and Shawn Penner '92/93, as well as Richard '53 and Cheryl Adkisson, Dan and Mary Kay Blasi, Rebecca Carter '02/05, Charlie Claycomb '71/91, Bernard Collins '87/91, Brian Davis '80, Anne Lauer, Jeff Dewey '81, Jerri Shulda, Henry Donaldson '71/74, Ron '69 and Joyce Dyson, Frank and Martha '83/89 Fair, Hank Farha '51, Marilyn Gerber, Debbie Guernsey '74, Vic Heckart '62, Bob '69/72 and Pat '68 Jackson, Debbie Kennedy '94, Doug Kinely '70/89, Maurice '71/74 and Christine '71 Korphage, AJ '03 and Jennifer '02/07 McCausland, Stan Miller, John Milo, Mike and Robin '04/09 Mishler, Brian '05 and Callahan Nelson, Steve Nikkel '84, Eva Ornelas '76, Ed '88 and Dana Pavey, Lynette Penner, Ben '99 and Amanda '00 Pfister, Sherry Phillips, Jason '02 and Emily '02/05/10 Ridder, Steve Rozell '73, Rick Powell, Stacy Rucker '05, Vicky Sue Sanders '98, Michael Moriarty '74, Steve Seitnater, Daniel '73 and Rosemary Slater, Regina Turner '97, Randy '75/77 and Marilyn Wells, and Patty Weniger.
