UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The ground at Beard Field is still lightly covered in snow, which means the stands are empty, too. Weather conditions have forced the Penn State softball team to prepare for the upcoming season in Holuba Hall, an indoor practice facility on campus.
Although the team isn't on its normal outdoor field, that doesn't mean preparation and fun before the games can't happen in Happy Valley.
On Sunday, the team held its annual community day practice to kick off what is expected to be a season full of excitement. Each year the team holds the open practice for family, fans and local teams to come watch them scrimmage and take part in activities such as face painting or pictures with the photo booth.
Passionate Nittany Lion softball fans proved the weather will not stop them from coming to see the team, even if it is for one practice. They further showed that commitment to the squad on Sunday, still showing up in great numbers after the first event date was forced to be rescheduled because of snow and icy road conditions.
"For the first half of the season we don't get to play at home, so this is kind of our way to let our fans see our product," head coach Amanda Lehotak said.
Penn State begins its season in Fort Myers, Florida Feb. 8 in the Florida Gulf Coast University Tournament. Next, they head to Durham, North Carolina for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Feb. 15 and then return to Florida for two more tournaments that last until the end of spring break in March.
The community event tradition was started six years ago by Lehotak as a way to get the girls excited about the season, but to also give the fans a taste of the spring while still in the midst of the cold winter months.
"I love being able to talk to them and being able to introduce myself," sophomore outfielder and catcher Dani Fey said. "We really enjoy doing this each year, it means a lot to us."
Lehotak added that this is a great way for the fans to meet the new girls who have joined the team, from freshmen to transfer students getting accustomed to the new team dynamic.
For the veteran players, it is a time to reconnect with the people that support them in the stands at every home game.
"Our kids absolutely love it," Lehotak said. "They all remember being those young kids and they all had heroes, so it's their turn to kind of be the heroes now."
Some of the attendees were softball players of all ages. They brought with them bats and softballs which were covered with autographs by the time the practice ended.
"I was teasing some of the kids that have come for all six years, their uniform didn't use to fit them and now they've grown into them," Lehotak said.
Softball alumni even came back and brought their kids, showing how the community event has come full circle for some over the years.
Some fans even brought back pictures they took from the event in past years, so the player could have it too.
Many families, too, traveled to watch their players practice, knowing that the next few weeks will be full of long days and busy schedules.
The outpouring of support is what means the most to the Penn State team. While most of February will be spent on the road, having this moment to look back on will help the girls look forward to seeing their fans once again opening day at Beard Field.
The Nittany Lions play 17 home games this season and open at home on March 20 against Robert Morris University in a doubleheader.
