It’s another hot day here in Oklahoma City. ASU and Florida return to Hall of Fame Stadium tonight in game two of the championship series, and the Sun Devils are just one win away from claiming the 2011 national championship.
It’s going to be an exciting evening, but until then, I thought I’d empty out the notebook a bit.
I had the chance to talk with several of the girls about what it’s like to play at ASA Hall of Stadium. All of them agreed that it’s an incredible experience.
Junior right fielder Annie Lockwood reiterated that playing at the WCWS and at HOF Stadium was something she dreamed about as a young softball player.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Lockwood said. “I think growing up as a 12 and under, 10 and under player that’s the one thing you dream of doing as you get older. It’s where every young softball player wants to eventually be. It’s definitely a dream come true, and I know every single one of us is excited every time we step on the field.”
The stadium features large bleacher seats just beyond the outfield fences. While there are thousands of people packed in the seating along the baselines and behind home plate. Each night, the crowd is loud and pumped for the game.
Lockwood said she enjoys the crowd environment.
“It’s exciting because every play you make, every strikeout, every hit, there’s just an eruption of excitement everywhere around you,” Lockwood said. “You can feel it in the stands how excited everyone else is. This is the biggest stage of softball, and to be in that kind of atmosphere only adds to the excitement and to the overall experience.”
Lockwood also hopes to have a positive effect on the younger players who are watching her play in this series. She too was once a player who idolized the collegiate softball greats.
“We talk about the heroes that we grew up with like Jennie Finch, the Jessica Mendozas, the Lisa Fernandezes, and you always want to be that when you get older,” Lockwood said. “I think you grow up idolizing these players and to think that you can be that player to somebody else is just so inspiring. It’s awesome where we can be a part of this big history where we can really set a path that little girls can follow for years to come.”
I also got to sit down with senior first baseman Mandy Urfer. She’s had plenty of experience at HOF Stadium since won a national championship during her freshman year.
“It was awesome,” Urfer said. “My freshman year brings back a lot of great memories. I was literally nervous the entire year with a lot of butterflies in my stomach. When I did get there, it was all surreal. I think having so many people in the stands and just being on that field meant a lot to me. I’ve already been there twice, and I think that’s what makes it so much easier this year. I’m so much more calm because I’ve already been there.”
