From Cathy Jacobson, Raleigh NC
TWU Class of 2000, former center fielder

Holy cow! Where do I start? The following is one of my favorite Coach Baker memories. During the course of my career at TWU, I lived this on many occasions. Outfielders...you will relate. (Note: This is the most effective way to get her to stop yelling at you while you are working your butt off in the outfield and to annoy her on a windy day and to make your outfield teammates chuckle.)

SCENARIO: Coach Baker hits the ball from home plate and the outfielder misses the ball although she ran 100 feet and dove into the fence...

Coach says: “What are you doing out there? Take a better angle!”

Player thinks: Yes, I realize this now...

Player says: “What? I can't hear you.” (Emphasize this with confused body language.)

Coach says: “Take a better ANGLE!”

Player thinks: I have grass stains on my cheek, for the love of Pete.

Player says: “What? The wind! I can see your mouth move but are you talking to me?” (Be sure to dramatically look behind you like she is talking to somebody else...obviously there is nobody behind you except for the fence and a tree...again, you are an outfielder.)

Coach says: “ANGLE! WHAT KIND OF ANGLE IS THAT??!!!”

Player thinks: Wow, her face is really red and she is doing that head bobbing thing. Note: teammates are now giggling.

Player says: “Did you say my ankle is fat?" (your teammates are now laughing...)

Coach says: Well, actually she doesn't really say anything because she is pointing the bat at you and you are pretty sure that this is not a gesture of your life about to end but instead a genuine appreciation of your smart mouth and witty personality.

Page 1 2