Published: May 07, 2008 03:39 pm            

Sports column

I can't hear a thing.

I'm hoping it's just a temporary condition, but I blame myself.

Heading to Clarkdale for the conclusion of the Class 2A State Championship Series Thursday, I tossed a lawn chair in my car just in case there was no room in the standing-room only crowd.

Upon arrival, I decided to rough it, figuring there'd be no better way to experience a championship series than right in the midst of the Clarkdale fans.

What a fool I was.

I didn't realize I was diving into the most raucous softball crowd in the state.

For seven innings, Clarkdale's ravenous supporters whooped, hollered, shook cowbells, and provided whatever noise possible, all in support of their Lady Bulldogs as they aimed for a third state championship.

As far as homefield advantages ago, they just don't get any better than this.

And that's just how Clarkdale head coach Rick Roberson likes it.

"It's a great crowd," remarked Roberson in the wake of his team's 4-2 state championship victory over Eupora. "People know that when they come to Clarkdale that it will be tough. Being at home is supposed to be an advantage and it certainly is for us."

From the outset Tuesday night, the Clarkdale fans were in rare form, reaching a fever pitch when the Lady Bulldog lineup was announced and not letting up for two solid hours.

Like any good fans, Clarkdale's followers should up with an array of noisemakers, both artificial and well, non-artificial.

Cowbells? Check.

Plastic clappers? Check.

Enough air horns to drown out a rock concert? Check.

Supportive baseball players banging on the dugout roof? Check.

And, of course, grown men with no regard for the future of their vocal chords? Check.

Prior to the game even started, the Eupora fans who made the trip from Webster County and the Clarkdale crowd engaged in a tit-for-tat game of noise-making, with each side rising to support their team.

Like the game itself, it was no contest.

Once the game started, the Lady Bulldogs proved that they would not be denied. And the surrounding crowd noise wouldn't either.

For nearly two hours, as I sat in a particularly noisy spot hard by the Clarkdale dugout, Lady Bulldog fans never relented, unleashing rhythmic chants (AM-BER SPANN), air horn eruptions, and when it was finally over, nearly endless applause.

"This is a great community," Roberson added. "They take softball seriously around here and they support us 100 percent."

They also get great results from their Lady Bulldogs.

Throughout the regular season an the playoffs, I noticed a familar saying shouted by random fans every time I attended a Clarkdale game.

Whether Clarkdale was ahead or behind on the scoreboard, inevitably someone in the crowd would pipe up and say "We love our Bulldogs!"

Of course, as said by one notable fan, it sounded more like "WE LOVE OUR BULLDAWGGGSSS," but that just adds to the charm.

Sitting there surrounded by fans who seemed to be having the time of their lives, I couldn't help but notice what a unique and awesome atmosphere that Rick Roberson, his team and those fans have created.

As far as high school sports go, the scene Tuesday night in Clarkdale was as good as it gets.

And, judging by their newly-won state championship trophy, so are the Lady Bulldogs.

        

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