These lucky ladies were raffle winners at a recent Santa Barbara Foresters game. (Randy Weiss Photos)
Scratch ‘crashing ladies night’ off The Bucket List …
Done as of last Saturday … and, oh, what a night!!
In fact, in the middle of all these great tunes blasting away – golden oldies like Pretty Woman – THE most amazing thing happened (… hey, do your best Rodney Dangerfield imitation here …) a baseball game broke out!!
WHOA!!
Yes – Ladies Night at UCSB’s cozy Caesar Uyesaka Stadium – home of the two-time Wooorld Champs … your Santa Barbara Foresters!!
Tonight is the second game of a three-game home stand with the San Luis Blues and a tough battle for first place here on the coast in the California Collegiate League (CCL).
First place is very familiar territory to the Foresters — quite honestly, it’s the only place they really live — a la 15 league championships in 18 years with “America’s most successful summer ball coach and SB baseball legend” – that being, of course, the-one-and-only, Bill Pintard.
Foresters manager Bill Pintard graciously responds to a photo request.
His Forester teams were crowned NBC World Series National Champs in 2006 and 2008 … and they’re looking to do it again this year.
Among the many individual tributes and accolades for the ever-humble Pintard – ‘CCL Manager of the Year Award’ (nine times, so far) and even closer to home – induction into the prestigious Santa Barbara Athletic Roundtable Hall of Fame, just last month.
“And, perhaps, nothing means more to him than Hugs for Cubs – helping cancer kids and their families through baseball,” sez Dave Hall, SB Foresters Board President.
It’s the Forester’s MVP community program started by Pintard’s son, Eric in 1995, then a Forester pitcher. Sadly, he later died of rare form of spinal cancer in 2004 at the too-young age of 31.
Eric’s number 19 has been retired by the Foresters and Dad Bill proudly wears it on his uniform as a forever tribute to his son.
“Many Forester alums now playing in the major leagues also wear 19 for the same reason,” adds Hall.
Back to the game …
We’re sitting high above on the Santa Barbara Ramada Inn Sundeck next to my good bud, Drew “The Voice” Wakefield – he is the Foresters’ longtime PA Announcer.
Perfect job for him.
If you know Drew – you know why.
Immediately over our left shoulder(s) is Presidio Sports co-founder and esteemed sports colleague, Blake Dorfman — he’s in the real press box calling the action for local radio.
Hospitality king Drew Wakefield acts as the Foresters' PA announcer. 'The Voice' helps to identify a nightly "Beer Batter" and hand out fun prizes between innings.
AND THIS JUST IN …
The sun finally makes a cameo appearance … the foothill views are spectacular … jets take off and land nearby at Santa Barbara Airport with its soon-to-open brand new terminal … and we’ve got the best looking crowd of this young season!!
A season that started with the Foresters hot, hot, hot — a sizzling 9-0 launch, before hitting a little speed bump along the way – dropping two in a row.
The first to the Conejo Oaks by a score of 4-2 and then the SLO Blues, 10-4 on Friday night.
Time to start a new winning streak – all 542 fans here hope.
But first, folks – our National Anthem sung with the b-b-beautiful voice belonging to UCSB co-ed and Forester fan, Maegan Cruise, who really should be on one of those singing reality shows … she’s certainly got talent!
Shortly after the song’s dramatic finish … and the hooome of the brrrave … the Blues waste no time getting on the scoreboard – pushing across a runner in their first at bat – and they lead 3-0 for half the game.
Presidio Sports co-founder Blake Dorfman is the on-air voice of the Foresters.
In between innings, “The Voice” is working his magic – recognizing sponsors in the crowd and giving away raffle items left and right.
He puts me to work as his chief assistant. The pay is not-so-good (translation: nada) but there are incredible benefits handing the many fun prizes to all the lucky female winners – tho a little tricky with the gentle breeze pushing the winning tickets all over the place.
The Forester bats finally come alive in the fifth and they tie it with three bunts, a hit batter and a sacrifice fly. The fans come alive too!
The team turns it on with another three runs in the sixth inning, en route to an 8-4 victory.
The Foresters beat the Blues again on Sunday Fathers Day, 7-0, and then the Orange County Pioneers last night, 7-5 … and are on a new roll!
And about that winning streak to start the season, Coach Pintard puts it all in perspective in a style all his own …
“You gotta hang loose. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish, buddy.”
Can’t wait ‘til Saturday – yes, Ladies Night again!!
Ain’t no better place for catching some action …
