Chances are, if you've been to a College World Series game in the past 40+ years, you've probably seen a lady wearing burnt orange Texas gear with matching orange hair.
That would be me!
In 2011, the entire country got to see my fandom on full display because the ESPN broadcast zoomed in on my husband and I wearing our Texas shirts behind the third base dugout.
It was a game between North Carolina and Vanderbilt. Texas had no affiliation with the game whatsoever, which is part of the reason why the broadcasters were so fascinated by us.
Of course, when you're sitting in the stands at the game, you're completely oblivious to the fact that you're on TV, but let me tell you, our phones started ringing from coast to coast.
"You're on TV!"
"ESPN can't figure out who you guys are rooting for in this game!"
"They can't get over how your hair matches your burnt orange shirt!"
What made that moment even crazier was days later, we'd be walking around the concourse, and people would come up to us and say, "Hey, we saw you on TV!"
We always found that so humorous that people would remember us days later. It's something we still laugh about to this day and one of our favorite memories at the CWS.
But this is one of many stories that encapsulates why the CWS means so much to me.
It's much more than a baseball tournament. It's a lifetime of memories, moments, and friendships that started in 1977 and continues until this very day.
Sharing my passion
I moved to Omaha in 1971, so that makes my connection to the CWS that much more special. As a local, I take great pride in pointing out various restaurants and activities for fans to see while they're in town for the games.
When we moved here, it was a given to go as a family to the games, especially for a baseball fanatic like myself, so we started making it a yearly tradition starting in '77.
The kids never took to it like I did, though.
As they got into high school and started getting busy with activities, they no longer wanted to go.
But that didn't stop me!
Two of my ex-husbands also didn't really care to go to the games, so there were times I'd go by myself. It didn't bother me a bit, as I had the time of my life with the best fans in the world.
Fortunately, the third time's the charm, as I met and married my lovely Jerry, who's completely embraced my superfandom and been by my side every step of the way.
We get to the park right at eight in the morning to take part in the festivities and tailgating and don't leave until the last pitch is thrown.
Jerry and I have been going to the CWS together for the last 25 years, and it's been a wonderful blessing to have found someone who shares my passion for an event that is so near and dear to my heart.
Baseball brings us together
People always ask me who I root for if Texas doesn't make the CWS, and the truth is, I root for everyone.
I'm "Hook 'em Horns" forever, but I want to see all the teams and players do well, including the other Texas teams.
There was one year where TCU fans sat right in front of me on opening night. I don't know what got into me, but I was feeling a little naughty that day and tapped the lady on the shoulder in front of me and said, I'm sorry, purple doesn't sit in front of burnt orange.
She got a bit of a kick out of it, as did her husband, and they're just dear friends of ours to this day. We've seen them many, many times through the years and enjoy catching up every time we see one another.
That's just one example of how baseball brings people together. I've made so many friends with fan bases from TCU, LSU, Florida, Mississippi State, you name it.
I call them my fanfriends!
I love how this amazing event has almost created a family reunion of sorts where I get to see all of my fanfriends that I've established relationships with over the past 40+ years.
There's nothing in the entire world that compares to it.
Why I'm a superfan
There are an abundance of reasons why the CWS means so much to me. First and foremost, it really comes down to the kids.
For being so young, it's a marvel to watch their poise and composure playing in the biggest games of their lives. I firmly believe this tournament sets them up tremendously in life.
If they go on to play professionally, semi-professionally, or even pursue a career outside of baseball, the experience they gain in Omaha is unparalleled.
I think that's why the CWS took hold of me as much as it has because I care so much about these kids and their journeys.
That's another reason why I get to the ballpark so early. I have to get my scorebook out and see who's on the team from last year, who the new faces are, etc.
I'll never forget when I got season tickets behind home plate sitting in row 25 – this would've been about 1988 or so. Naturally, I was one of the first people in the stadium, and an LSU fan came up and asked me, "Why do you get here so early? Are you a scout for a pro team or something?"
That floored me!
I told him, nope, I'm just a superfan!
Then I explained the whole ordeal. I have to get my scorebook ready, watch batting practice and fielding, see how the teams are looking and note any changes from last year, etc.
He probably thought I was from another planet or something, but you know what, that was 35 years ago and we're still friends to this day!
I keep a scorebook for every game, and wouldn't you know it, I've held on to each one of those scorebooks these past 40 years. There are six big totes in my garage that I keep of scorebooks, newspaper articles, shirts, and anything else that pertains to the CWS.
I could easily write a book about the history and moments I have stored in those totes. Maybe I'll find the motivation one day, but they are items I cherish that bring back such fond memories and some of the best days of my life.
No place I'd rather be
I'm always amazed how many fans recognize me through the years. I suppose my burnt orange shirts and hair have taken on a life of their own through the years, haven't they?
I was reminded of this after a particular CWS game when a young lady came running down the steps and said she just had to find me.
Apparently, she's been coming to the CWS since she was five years old, and every year she would look around to find me.
Not only did she find me after all these years, she also wanted to inform me that she was enrolling at Texas in the fall.
I was on the verge of tears. I can't tell you how much it meant that she would take the time to find me and share that incredible news.
Before that day, I had never met this girl before, but my passion and fandom clearly left an impression on her life.
At the end of the day, that's what being a fan is all about, isn't it? It's about coming together with total strangers who become family, and that's why I love the CWS so much.
There's no place I'd rather be and no one I'd rather spend it with than my fanfriends!
There are times I wish my family took to the games as much as I have, but my granddaughter, Rachel, did come down one year to watch the games with me.
We shared a beer together at the CWS.
No one in the family thinks Grandma drinks, and I couldn't have been happier to prove them wrong that day by taking in the magic of the CWS with a cold one and my lovely granddaughter.
I'm going to turn 80 next month, and you better believe I'm still going to find a way to walk up and down those steps and take my rightful seat in that summer sun this June.
Why do I continue to go after all these years, you ask?
Quite simply, it's where I'm meant to be.
I'll see you in Omaha!
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