WASU PLAYLIST: BASEBALL 2010

by Alex Mayfield

It is that time of the year. The seats are filled, the lights are on, and it is baseball season. Though some might not be the biggest fans of the sport, it still has great songs tied to it. Certain songs remind us of the times we had watching baseball movies, enjoying games, playing catch, and we here at WASU want to honor America’s Pastime with a great baseball playlist.

Baseball Playlist:

Pre Game - Jimi Hendrix – “The Star Spangled banner”: How can we not start off a great game without “The Star Spangled Banner?” It is the song that starts off each and every ballgame and I figure that a playlist should start off the same way. However, we cannot just choose any version. The version has to be one that represents WASU. So who better to play it than Hendrix?

1^st Inning – AC/DC – “Hell’s Bells”: Once the game starts, only one song really comes to mind. Starting off with the bells that ASU students know so well and getting this playlist into gear. “Hell’s Bells” really pumps one up for any game.

2^nd Inning – John Fogerty – “Centerfield”: This song is a given. I find it hard to not put this song on a baseball playlist, mainly due to its phenomenal use in a music montage in the film Little Big League. Even if it had not been used in that movie, the song is clearly meant for the baseball season. I dedicate this song to all the fans who wish they were on the field.

3^rd Inning – Thin Lizzy – “The Boys are back in Town”: This song is for all those who are excited to see a home game after your team has been on the road for a week or two. Well Thin Lizzy’s classic song is perfect for celebrating this special occasion. It helps that the song is fun to listen to.

4^th Inning – The Clash – “Should I Stay or Should I Go”: The most asked question to the third-base coach by the runner on first. The Clash is simply asking whether or not they should steal second. Though the reasoning might be flawed, for some reason, when this song plays, baseball comes to mind.

5^th Inning- Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Fortunate Son”: Since Baseball is simply American, we needed a song that matched the level of patriotic power. Creedence Clearwater Revival reminds us of the sun, summertime, and the diamond. This is why it makes a great addition to our list of songs.

6^th Inning – George Thorogood and the Destroyers – “Bad to The Bone”: This song doesn’t really have much to do with baseball, but what is more “Bad” then jacking a homerun over the leftfield wall. It just seems to be that piece of the puzzle that fits. And who doesn’t like George Thorogood and the Destroyers?

7^th Inning – The Hold Steady – “Take me out to the Ball game” : “Take Me out to the Ball Game” is always played during the 7^th inning stretch and this is another song that we needed a cover version of and let’s face it, The Hold Steady do this song justice.

8^th Inning – Neil Diamond – “Sweet Caroline”: For whatever reason, when this song comes on, it takes every ounce of strength not to start chanting with the song. This holds especially true when inside a ballpark. This song just screams October and had to be placed on this wonderful set of songs.

9^th Inning – Dropkick Murphys – “Tessie”: Whether you are a Boston fan or not, this playlist needed the a song made for champions, and since this song was created to celebrate the Red Sox World Series win, it seems rather fitting to make it the final chapter.

Hopefully you all are ready to start your road trip to the nearest stadium and enjoy some peanuts and cracker jacks. Since you are now properly equipped, WASU wants you to go enjoy 9 Innings of pure bliss this summer!