Written by Tiane Davis \/\/ Graphic by Cooper Turman <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Athletes often have special traditions they follow to help them prepare for competition, and the softball and baseball teams use music as one of theirs. Each athlete typically picks three different songs to walk up to the plate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior infielder Hannah Garrett said the Lady Bisons get to pick one \u201cgirl power\u201d song, one \u201cthrowback\u201d and one \u201cyour choice.\u201d They rotate themes every game. Garrett said her three songs are \u201cReturn of the Mack\u201d by Mark Morrison, \u201cNarco\u201d by Blasterjaxx, and \u201cJump Around\u201d by House of Pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s important to have repetition, and having that routine when you\u2019re going up to bat is a good reminder,\u201d Garrett said. \u201cIt makes it fun, and you remember each song with each person when they play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior infielder Jordan Cabana, who grew up in Texas, said her song choices help remind her of why she started playing softball at Harding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI picked \u2018If You\u2019re Going to Play in Texas\u2019 for anytime we play in Texas because it reminds me of home and what I\u2019m playing for,\u201d Cabana said. \u201c\u2018Callin\u2019 Baton Rouge\u2019 is another one of my picks because it is a song I grew up listening to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cabana said everyone\u2019s specific songs speak for each player\u2019s attitude and personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can tell from everyone\u2019s walkup songs that it represents who they are or what they love,\u201d Cabana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head softball coach Ashley Reeves, who played softball at Texas Tech University 2004-2007, said she had her own walkup songs when she played in college. She said players usually change their song picks from year to year, but a few keep the same ones all four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the walkup songs help set the tone for each girl,\u201d Reeves said. \u201cMusic always makes things more fun, and it just kind of gets you set. It gets your mind going and ready to roll.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The baseball team sets up their walkup songs a little differently. They often pick a different theme for each year, and their theme this season is \u201cinstrumental.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior outfielder Sawyer Price said the guys are usually a little more serious and want to be almost over-focused during their games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI personally use a song that is more something that I enjoy and that will help me relax,\u201d Price said. \u201cI definitely think that people\u2019s personalities will show if you pay attention to those.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Price, who was in charge of setting up the team\u2019s warm-up playlist this year, said he loves the song \u201cYellow Submarine\u201d by the Beatles and that he thinks it should be on the playlist every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior outfielder Cody Smith said players sometimes choose songs to encourage crowd participation. He said senior pitcher Joey Longhorn likes to play \u201cParty in the USA\u201d by Miley Cyrus because it gets the team and the crowd involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOthers will do music that will hype them up and get them ready to play,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI usually will choose music that has meaningful lyrics to me, so I\u2019ll have a song that I can go through the lyrics in my head before I hit, and it will calm me down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith said they usually do not get to play their walkup songs at away games, but none of the players are too affected by that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more of just an added home team advantage,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWhen we\u2019re on the road, we all know we\u2019re doing the same thing, and our music doesn\u2019t really affect how we play. It\u2019s just a fun thing that we do.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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