CHEERS

Some I remember or remember hearing about:

Cannonball, cannonball, bis boom bah, Edison Grade School rah, rah, rah.

The Redbirds are coming their sails are in sight, Redbirds are coming, they're coming tonight.

Oh when the Field School boys all stand in line, they're gonna win this game another time, For the basketball boys we love so well, we're gonna yell, and yell and yell and yell and yell.

Rah rah ree, kick 'em in the knee, rah, rah rass, kick 'em in the other knee.

We will, we will, rock you (or stomp you)

Ill...ini

But my favorite is "Rah, Rah for ______, Rah, Rah for________. Someone in the bleacher's yelling rah, rah for _______. 1,2,3,4 who ya gonna yell for _______ that's who."

Man, tell me that doesn't get the old adrenaline flowing. Now I'm diving for loose balls on the floor. Just to think someone (anyone) would be yelling for me... Well, I guess I had a need back then.

Fans in the gym were great. Whether a few or a packed house, I didn't care as long as someone was there to watch me. Except when I screwed up as I did in our Little League championship game.

My Dad was there with lots of other folks. I mean it was the championship game. And just as we were rallying, I got thrown out trying to steal 3rd base. I put a sudden stop to that rally as I was the 3rd out of the inning.

Coaches and teammates weren't too pleased with me. I was certainly disappointed, but I felt the worst for my Dad who had to witness it.

You know, I never recall him saying anything to me about it. No, "what were you thinking?" No, "what a bad break." Not even a "I really let one fan have it when he got on you." He just supported me and left me alone.

He was a smart guy, my Dad. He knew we didn't have a chance to win that game anyway. You see I played for the Cubs.