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“If you believe you’re playing well because you’re getting laid, or because you’re not getting laid, or because you wear women’s underwear, then you are! And you should know that!”
– Crash Davis, Bull Durham

Rituals are a part of baseball/softball and since we have an undefeated season going on we must not mess with our rituals. I mean, last game, Scott, Wimer, and myself totally screwed up our ritual and we only won by one run, with a comeback win in the bottom of the 7^th inning.

So let me explain our ritual for a game that starts at 9. I have to go over to Wimer’s & Scott’s at about 7:30 – 7:45. Upon arriving I throw my gear in the back of Scott’s truck and proceed to March Westin Pre-Game headquarters. I say my “Hey what’s up?” and make my way to the deck. I go get myself a glass of water with a lot of ice (this will come into play later).

We go sit out on the deck and eat sunflower seeds and peanuts (doesn’t matter what brand, or does it??), discarding the remains in the yard. Sunflower seeds must be spit into the yard. Now, if you are eating peanuts, you must flip the shell out into the yard to see who has the longest distance (by the way Scott holds that record for flipping the longest peanut shell, ironically its about the same distance Coach Tom hits a softball).

This goes on just about until approximately 45 min until game time and at that point Wimer must be the last person to get ready (this isn’t so much a requirement as it is a fact of life). Upon his return, we take the glass of water and each of us takes an ice cube. We then toss the ice cubes at a tree in there yard to see who tosses the ice closest to it. This helps to get the competitive juices flowing. Lastly, as we go to the game Wimer must sit in the front seat while I am in the back seat. Yes, it may seem like a lot of work but when you are 7-0 you gotta do what you gotta do.

It’s not that strange when you think about it. Of course you have heard of the obvious rituals, don’t wash your socks/jersey, don’t touch the chalk when you run on the field, or eating the same pre-game meal.

I mean look at Turk Wendell formerly of the New York Mets, clearly one of the most superstitious out there. He used to have his contract end in all 9’s, and he also wore number 99. Turk also brushes his teeth and chewed licorice between every inning.

Wade Boggs would only eat chicken before a game. One time Ken Griffey Jr. sold a Mercedes that he drove to games in because he would never get a hit whenever he drove it.

So what do we have to learn from all this, other than don’t buy a Mercedes if you are a baseball/softball player?

Well, to quote Mr. Crash Davis from Bull Durham again “You don’t f— with a winning streak.”