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A Day At The Ballpark
Second Inning
By Will Lingo
SECOND INNING Back in Durham on a major league rehabilitation assignment, Standridge pitches another scoreless inning in his season debut. He will end up giving up one run on four hits and five walks in five innings and getting the win. Joy Standridge relaxes in the second row behind home plate, hands clasped in her lap and watching alertly as her husband of seven months takes the mound. "We won't be here long and it's a good thing," she says. "We have been living out of a hotel for more than two weeks now, and we hope to be back in Tampa after two or three more starts."
Standridge has already hit Richmond right fielder Ryan Langerhans on the left hand in the top of the first as he struggles to find his control. "He doesn't hit people to be mean; he's just too nice. One night after he pitched he didn't call me and I knew something was wrong," she says. "When I talked to him he said, 'Joy, I got in a fight.' And I just couldn't believe it; he's the nicest person I have ever been around." Standridge got out of the first with a pair of good breaking balls and gets out of similar trouble in the second with a 92 mph fastball to strike out Jorge Velandia. Joy claps politely and lets out a soft cheer of reinforcement. She doesn't take note of the pitches he uses to wiggle off the hook, but knows he's done well. "I try to notice 'cause he tries to teach me. But it doesn't really help," she says. As he trots off the mound, Standridge hops over the foul line and disappears down the dugout steps. "He never steps on that white line; it drives me crazy," Joy says. Her other pet peeve is the tan her husband develops as his forearms and face get sun but not his biceps and shoulders. "He gets a terrible farmer's tan and one day I suggested just to roll his sleeves up when he's out there," she says. "And he said, 'You can't do that, Joy.' I don't see why not, as long as everyone did it then none of them would get that uneven tan." Bulls first baseman Jared Sandberg, who hits a home run to put the Bulls ahead, says his wife watches him on video and makes comments about his swing. "She is supportive," he says. "But at the same time, they get together back their behind the screen and know they don't have to worry about getting hit and it's probably 50-50. They watch the game, but there's got to be some talking about shopping, too."
Wool E. Bull doesn't talk about anything at all. Never has, never will. Dawn Cocker is his tender, supplying props, taking pictures with fans and making sure kids don't pull his tail. Before the game, Wool E. greets fans at the front gates, hugs and high-fives children, and poses with adults for pictures. After this, he retreats to his clubhouse (behind the players' clubhouses) to get ready for game. It's in the clubhouse where he stashes his uniform and his hot dog launcher. After leading the crowd in cheer on top of the dugouts in the first, Wool E. leads a birthday parade on the field in the second, a group of about 50 celebrating five kids' birthdays. It's all prelude to Wool E.'s big moment after the inning ends, however, as he races a 5-year-old around the bases. He gives it his best, but never seems to be able to win. The only time he does win is on his birthday, when he races other area mascots, like Mr. Wuff from North Carolina State. After the race, he's off to the Bulls' Ballpark Corner store to pose with children and sign autographs. For $2, you get a Polaroid with Wool E. (It's funny to watch the kids shake the Polaroids with exaggeration.) Tonight, he signs and poses with about 15 youngsters, including Jason, tonight's base race winner. It's Jason's birthday and he's attending his first Bulls game. One father says, "Look, he signed your hat. Isn't that cool?"
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