In many sports, athletes turn to rituals and superstitions as a way to channel good luck.
For ASU softball, game day rituals bring the team together to form a team camaraderie. They cherish tradition and find ways to incorporate and carry on the tradition on throughout the years. The team has unique traditions that are displayed and implemented into their pre-game routine.
Junior catcher Sashel Palacios said the hype on game days starts in the locker room.
"I think that's where it starts for all of us," she said. "We're always excited when it's game day, since it's another chance for us to get out there and play and represent our school."
The spirit and vibe in the locker room for the Sun Devils is energetic and the athletes are always getting excited for the game. The team usually puts on good music as they dance around the locker room to get the energy going.
"We like to keep things fun and loose, and I think that's when we play our best," Palacios said.
Carrying on long-standing tradition plays an important role for the team's game day routines. Through all the chatter and chaos of getting ready for a game, the team sets aside time to be serious and focus in on the main reason why they are out on the field.
Minutes before the first pitch is thrown, the team gathers in the outfield to have one last pep talk before the start of the game. The team calls it a time to "rep the Devils," as they all stand in a circle, arms around one another, chanting "rep the Devils" over and over.
Senior right fielder Abby Spiel said this is a time for the team to show their pride and school respect.
"It's a reminder to us that we wear the Sun Devil jersey with pride," Spiel said. "It a good time for us to reflect and bring that energy into game time."
Being apart of a sport that relies on team effort, it is important to feel the support from one teammate to another.
The playing of the National Anthem is a tradition for all sporting events. For this Sun Devil team, they also have a tradition that is done every game during the National Anthem. The team stands just along the foul line facing towards the flag.
Sophomore pitcher Dale Ryndak explained that while they stand at attention, each athlete stands tall with their hand on their heart and the other behind their back, holding up a pitchfork. Throughout the anthem, each team member will feel a tap on the shoulder from the player behind them, a reminder that they are always there for one another.
"That's our way of saying 'I got your back,'" Ryndak said. "We do it for our country, we do it for our school and we do it for each other."
The team performs these routines every game as a silent reminder to each other that there's always a player to fall back onto in time of difficulties.
Ryndak also mentions that each individual player finds adrenaline in their own different way before game time.
Her individual preference for game days is more sentimental, enjoying pep talks with teammates one-on-one.
"I like when people come up to me individually to say something," Ryndak said. "It's motivating and really means something to me."
Related links:
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ASU unable to crack losing streak, falls to Oregon in series finale
Reach the reporter at lmbrunet@asu.edu or follow @Leah_brunette on Twitter.
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