The First Pitch of the Bottom of the 9th

By Mark Piper

For many of us, this is our favorite season. Let me clarify; I‘m not talking about spring, I’m talking of course about baseball season.

With last week’s opening day, all of Chicago has one more thing to get excited about (before imminent disappointment in the form of the 102nd Cubs choke or Ozzie loseing his temper one too many times).

Here at SXU we have a great baseball legacy. In fact, there is a home game this Friday – if you’re around you should check out our superior team. Other than Cougar baseball fans, I know some North Side Cubbie lovers have sneaked down to the Sox side and there are a few Brew Crew transplants like me from Wisconsin. But despite our different allegiances, everyone here seems to enjoy America’s Pastime.

Despite the fact that many of us just saw this year’s first pitch – perhaps even the one high and to the left that President Obama threw at the National’s game (with his Sox hat),- we also are in the home-stretch, the final innings of the academic season.

You know it’s the bottom of the 9th when the celebrations begin – and on campus they are. This afternoon is the University Awards Ceremony honoring outstanding students and faculty members. Next Tuesday, April 20, is the ACE Awards or All Campus Excellence Awards honoring student organizations, student leaders and the dedication to the campus scene by students in general. Next Wednesday, April 21, is the College of Arts and Sciences Award Ceremony, and in the next few weeks there are retirement parties, celebrating the contributions of staff and faculty to this great institution.

This academic year was not a “perfect game” for me (I’m Mark Piper, not Mark Buehrle), but it was pretty darn good: I wasn’t as bad as the Cubs but not quite the Yankees. Either way, as we begin to celebrate the end of our academic season and the beginning of baseball season, let’s finish strong and not strike out!

Also – to all the students reading this entry full of baseball puns and imagery, do not forget that the Quad RA Staff and Student Activities Board are hosting the yearly BASEBALL COUGAR COOKOUT this Friday, April 16, at Ferrell Field. Cheer on the baseball team while playing volleyball, visiting with Champ the Cougar or chowin’ down on a free hot dog! See ya’ there.

Mark Piper is a senior political science major with a minor in pastoral ministry. He is from Stoughton, WI and is president of the Student Government Association. Consideration for the student bloggers is provided by Saint Xavier University.