Category: Leisure

Make Up A Softball Cheer

There are a lot of elements that go into a good cheer or chant. Using words that are short and easy for a crowd to pick up is one part of it. Picking a chant rhythm that is catchy and easy to keep going is another part.

In the case of softball cheers, a third part is the need to make the funny softball chants contextual. In other words, watch the game and what is happening, and then lead the cheers based on what’s going on.

For example, if someone on your team just stole a base, then the following cheer might work:

Call the Cops! Call the Cops! We just stole your stinkin’ base! Here they come: Whooooooo! (imitate siren).

What’s funny about that? Well, it’s a play on words for one thing – the concept of “stealing” a base. Speaking of which, while using the word “stinkin'” might seem mean spirited, it’s really not, because you’re talking about the base, and bases don’t have feelings. Also, it gives the crowd a chance to make the siren whooping sound, which is always a fun way to make people smile as everyone makes ridiculous noises at each other.

Another way to make things funny is to use a parody or satire of a popular movie or song. Singing “There she goes, just a walkin’ to first base, singin’ doo wah diddy diddy…” when a player is walked will get the entire stadium singing to the chorus. Making up funny words to the songs (also known as “filking” a song) is a way to keep the music contextual and funny. Taking it from movie themes can also be funny. Consider this cheer based on the Oompa Loompa song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Oompa, loompa, doompadee doo,

I’ve got another curve ball for you.

Oompa, loompa, doompadee ding,

It goes so fast, you won’t even swing.

Another way to come up with a lot of funny softball cheers is to poke a little fun at yourself. Take a cue from the call-and-response cadences used by the military and create your own personal cheers filled with humorous references:

We don’t play with little dolls,

We hit hard with bats and balls,

We don’t got ribbons in our hair,

We slam that home run OUTTA there!

More Here

Throw A Block Party

Every summer some neighborhoods block off their street to provide an opportunity to get to know each other better and have a good time. This celebration can include anything from a potluck supper to an elegant sit down candlelit dinner. Most are holiday oriented, celebrating Memorial Day, Independence Day, or National Night Out. Some consist of a theme such as the ones previously mentioned. Here’s how to go about planning your neighborhood block party.

  • Create a planning committee (as well as subcommittees in charge of food, activities, clean-up, publicity and decorations.)
  • Set up a meeting to discuss theme ideas, dates, food, entertainment and costs.
  • Call the local police department to get permission to block off the street during the party.
  • Create appealing flyers announcing the date and details of the party – hand deliver to your neighbors.
  • Create ice breakers to help get neighbors to mingle.
  • Have a cookie baking contest or a hat contest and give prizes for the top three winners.
  • Have a host or moderator of your event.
  • Pipe in music.
  • Announceany items important to the association or the neighborhood.
  • Allow anywhere from 8 weeks to 3 months to plan the event.

Other Ideas…

Plan a kick-off parade – Invite the neighborhood kids to proudly present their bikes and wagons decorated with streamers, balloons, bows and ribbons.

Show off the pets – Have a parade or a Best of Show. Have prizes for the Happiest Dog, Funniest Fish, Shyest Cat and so on.

Record the event – Have someone take photos or provide disposable cameras for everyone to use. Afterwards, have prints made of the best shots and send them to your guests in theme frames.

more info and great ideas HERE