HPU athletes share game-day superstitions
Freshman Brant Battiston holds out the two left socks he always wears during hockey games. Photo by: Deirdre Logan
By Deirdre Logan // Sports Editor
The world of sports is full of quirks and superstitions that players and fans are convinced are the reason for the outcomes of games. This is especially common among baseball players. In fact, just this past year, Major and Minor League Baseball implemented a pitch clock in order to cut down on the time wasted by pitcher’s routines.
High Point University athletes have some routines of their own that they believe makes them perform at maximum capacity.
Freshman JJ Woodard has been playing baseball his whole life. For every game he has played, for as long as he can remember, he has done the same routine.
“I put my batting gloves on the same way every time. No matter what happens, whether I get a hit or strikeout, I fold them and put them away in the exact same way,” Woodard said.
This is not the same as other routines that rely on previous performance. For some, such as freshman baseball players Chris Jones and Nick Niarchos, this is not the case.
“If I play well in one game, I have to get dressed the exact same way the next game,” Jones said. “For example, if I wear an arm sleeve one game and I do well, then I wear it during the next game.”
Niarchos has a similar routine in which he switches batting helmets depending on his performance in the previous at-bat. When he has a strong at-bat, he wears that helmet for the next at-bat. Similarly, when he performs poorly, he switches to a new helmet for the next at-bat.
Niarchos, his teammates and athletes all over the world have been doing the same routines since their beginning. Freshman club hockey player Brant Battiston has been getting ready the same way since he started playing.
“I wear two left socks in every game. I’m not sure why I do it, but it’s something I’ve always done. I can’t wear them any other way,” Battiston said. “I also need to have my skates perfectly sharpened and my laces tied to the exact tightness.”
Many anthletes have routines that affect how they get ready, dress or perform. There are some; however, that alter their diet in the name of tradition. Chris Jones shared his personal experience with this superstition.
“Before every game, I eat the same meal,” Jones said. “I have to eat a plate of chicken parmesean. I can’t eat anyhing else.”
Just like the oher athletes on his team, Jones has no recollecion on the beginning of this routine. He has been doing that since he can remember.
Many other athletes at High Point have superstitions and routines that they go through every game. Some are more extreme than others.
Next time you attend a sporting eventt, whether it is hockey or baseball, watch the athletes carfeully. Odds are most of them will be carrying out their game day rituals.