Small rituals help relax, prepare
Wolverines before, during game
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| Nina & Lily "handshake" with hands & feet! |
Gaze around a Wesley Wolverines softball game in warmups, between innings, and during play for small rituals players repeat tirelessly to prepare themselves mentally for the game. It might be a high five between two teammates, a lone index finger and eyes pointed toward the sky, a hand simply touching a special necklace – or even an elaborate production that's appears straight out of a hokey pokey dance (see photo on right).
Sophomore C/3B Nina Marcano has mastered the most obvious to all synchronized rituals before every inning. You may find her and the pitcher kicking their feet up for a bizarre hand-to-foot handshake or always, without fail, junior 1B Samantha Mahoski presents Nina with her catchers mask by flipping it high into the air.
Just superstition? Psychologist say that these small rituals are good – e.g., repeatedly tapping the plate with a bat, adjusting batting gloves, even kissing the bat – because they momentarily settle the player with a level of comfort by feeling in control of the situation before going into play when so much can quickly and suddenly become completely uncontrollable.
Sophomore C/3B Nina Marcano has mastered the most obvious to all synchronized rituals before every inning. You may find her and the pitcher kicking their feet up for a bizarre hand-to-foot handshake or always, without fail, junior 1B Samantha Mahoski presents Nina with her catchers mask by flipping it high into the air.
Just superstition? Psychologist say that these small rituals are good – e.g., repeatedly tapping the plate with a bat, adjusting batting gloves, even kissing the bat – because they momentarily settle the player with a level of comfort by feeling in control of the situation before going into play when so much can quickly and suddenly become completely uncontrollable.
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| Before every inning Sam flips the catchers mask to Nina. |
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