Superstition and tradition: TWHS Baseball

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Since the inception of baseball players have practiced superstitions that they believe help them to perform better on the field. Major League players such as Jason Giambi and Moises Alou are still known for their bizarre superstitions and the Highlander baseball team is no different. The Texas State 5A champions have a few of their own quirky pre game rituals that they believe help to secure a winning game.

A few of these traditions have become a ritual for the entire team. Center fielder Zachary Dunn and pitcher Hillin Warren both like to lead a team prayer before beginning the game. Other team members take a more physical approach to their pre game routines. Outfielder Matthew Franques and pitcher Ryan Burnett always do the same stretches before stepping onto the field, and never step on the foul lines before taking to the batter's box.

A few individuals have more unusual tactics. Like the Boston Red Sox player Wade Boggs, Highlander Griffin Jones always eats the same meal before a game. Boggs’ pre game meal was fried chicken, but Jones instead likes to eat a sandwich from Honey Bee Ham. Outfielder Luke Sherley also shares a common superstition with a major league player. Los Angeles Angels player Vladimir Guerrero wore the same batting helmet, and refused to wash it, Sherley does the same, he refuses to wash his lucky baseball cap.

With baseball, superstition is the name of the game but the players agree that the ultimate reason they won the championship was there strong team bond and dedication until the end. The Highlander team will be moving on to play at the National Invitational Classic In North Carolina where the traditions and superstitions will hopefully bring the team to yet another win.