Spring Break
Pending weather, Rams to host Bears Saturday
Kieth Robertson
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: Sports
The buzzing of dull florescent lights is interrupted by the sound of large yellow balls crushed against the force of a bat. Balls fly into the oversized black netting making them look like a salmon being caught in a whale net.
From behind a curtain at the middle of the gym come the rhythmic pops of high-speed pitches hitting oversized gloves; the arrangement of sounds almost creates a big-league atmosphere. The CSU softball team has been forced inside the auxiliary gym due to weather -- all the while hoping the same isn't true for this weekend.
The Rams (16-17) will be hosting their first game at home this Saturday against in-state rival Northern Colorado (11-20), if the weather cooperates. If snow is on the menu, the games will be moved to Sunday, a scenario that Danny Mattie, CSU athletic media relations representative, said was "90 percent sure."
The team is set for a doubleheader against the Bears the first game at noon followed by the second at 3 p.m.
"It's exciting. It's finally nice to play at home," said head coach Mary Yori. "We get to play at home, on our field, in front of our crowd and all of those are exciting things."
Last season the two teams met three times, all ending in Rams victories. But last season's triumphs mean about as much as a first basemen without a glove.
The two Colorado teams are playing at opposite ends of the victory spectrum. The Bears are riding a winning streak, beating Utah State on their home field three times. The Rams had a sub-par week away from classes, going 4-9 over the spring break stretch.
The Rams played 13 games in nine days and four cities and are glad they get some time at home.
"It's a boost of energy for our players -- knowing that they don't have to go get on a plane," Yori said.
The team went into its grueling spring break schedule feeling sound. They had just won three in a row and planned on more of the same, but their opponents felt differently.
From behind a curtain at the middle of the gym come the rhythmic pops of high-speed pitches hitting oversized gloves; the arrangement of sounds almost creates a big-league atmosphere. The CSU softball team has been forced inside the auxiliary gym due to weather -- all the while hoping the same isn't true for this weekend.
The Rams (16-17) will be hosting their first game at home this Saturday against in-state rival Northern Colorado (11-20), if the weather cooperates. If snow is on the menu, the games will be moved to Sunday, a scenario that Danny Mattie, CSU athletic media relations representative, said was "90 percent sure."
The team is set for a doubleheader against the Bears the first game at noon followed by the second at 3 p.m.
"It's exciting. It's finally nice to play at home," said head coach Mary Yori. "We get to play at home, on our field, in front of our crowd and all of those are exciting things."
Last season the two teams met three times, all ending in Rams victories. But last season's triumphs mean about as much as a first basemen without a glove.
The two Colorado teams are playing at opposite ends of the victory spectrum. The Bears are riding a winning streak, beating Utah State on their home field three times. The Rams had a sub-par week away from classes, going 4-9 over the spring break stretch.
The Rams played 13 games in nine days and four cities and are glad they get some time at home.
"It's a boost of energy for our players -- knowing that they don't have to go get on a plane," Yori said.
The team went into its grueling spring break schedule feeling sound. They had just won three in a row and planned on more of the same, but their opponents felt differently.
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