Sports Superstitions

[24]

The vast majority here on the forums have played/currently play a sport. I was wondering if anyone else beside myself had weird superstitions while playing or before the game.

Back when I pitched I always wore two pairs of socks the first pair always being white and the second pair matching whatever the team's color was. Their was only one time in my life that I didn't do it, and that coincidentally was the worst outing I ever had.

[kehlis]

Re: Sports Superstitions

I did that because I grew up playing in the stirrup days and you had to wear white sanitary socks and then the stirrup. I did however continue to wear sanitary socks even when the colored socks became the "in" thing.

Also never stepped on the chalk line.


Other than that nothing really crazy other than "two on the board" that the whole team did.

[Kriech23]

Re: Sports Superstitions

I was OCD about this kind of stuff. I made sure I followed a certain routine on gamedays. From the start of waking up in the morning at a certain time, what I eat throughout the day, etc. up until gametime. I always suited up the same way every game too. I counted all of the stars on the American Flag during the National Anthem (to make sure there was 50 for some reason).

Interestingly, I wore my basketball shoes untied from junior year on. Not really a superstition of mine, but it completely eliminated rolled/sprained ankles.

[Blzer]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Baseball

- Never stepped on the chalk line either

- Never left the batter's box with both feet unless my at-bat was completely over (only reason I would even like to step back with one foot would be to recollect or take a sign)

- One to my heart and one to the sky for my friend Tim after any National Anthem

- (Good karma) Always acknowledge a player after any sacrifice or RBI groundout

- ****ing give me the jersey #1 or perish

[Watson]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Oh yes indeed

Football
-I had to be at the very end of the line during the national anthem, opposite side we ran out from. After the anthem I'd go to the 20, away from everybody else. That was my time and I had to have it.
-I HAD to wear the wristband Patrick Peterson gave me (still wear it for LSU football games)
-I only took my skull cap off during halftime
-A) I had to wear my thigh and hip pads in my pants, not my girdle and B) I had to wear my girdle to school over my compression shorts.
-My arms had to be shaved. Had to. I have no logical explanation other than some teammates started doing it and they told me to and I never looked back.

Baseball
-When stepping into the batter's box, I'd put my right (front) foot it, hold the bat above the handle with my left arm, and kind of wobble the bat 3-4 times before putting my left foot in. I actually never noticed I did it until one of my last games.
-Never turn your back to the catcher after a play. Ever. I backpedaled.
-I billed our home hats as little as possible, but I went to town on our away hats.

We also had this thing where after a run scored when we were ahead, we couldn't high five or anything, we had to tap our helmets/hats, or else we would blow the lead, but that's team-wide thing that only lasted a season.

Kind of weird how I'm more paranoid in football than baseball.

[JODYE]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Baseball
- Never stepped on chalk line
- Would dig in right foot first, and before putting my left foot in the box, would tap the front and back part of the plate with the bat
- Stepped out of the batters box after every pitch and took a practice swing
- When playing SS, I would grab dirt and rub it in my glove.
- When playing CF, would run and touch the fence, and get back into position
- Day games I always wore high socks. Night games I would wear pants
- Always wore a wristband on my right arm, and a arm band on my left forearm

Basketball

- During shoot arounds, last shot always had to be a pull up jumper on the right elbow
- Would have to shake opposing coaches hand sometime before game time
- Before tip would always run and tap the backboard

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: Sports Superstitions

All I ever did was not stepping on the foul line. I still do this today even if I'm not playing.

[Jr.]

Re: Sports Superstitions

I feel like most baseball players try not to step on any lines before/during a game if they can avoid it. And baseball players seem to be the most superstitious athletes as well. Probably because there is so much failure inherent within the game.

Anyway,

We had dirt baselines so I would always jump the dirt when I went out onto the field. To this day, I try to avoid stepping on any lines on a field if I can.

I always put right on before left when I dressed for a game. So right sock, then left sock. Right leg in pants then left. Right arm in shirt, then left, then over my head. I actually still dress like this.

My best friend/roommate and I had a handshake that we did before the start of each game when I was pitching.

I finished my pre-game bullpen with the same 6 pitch sequence.. 2-seam inner half, 4 seam outside corner, changeup, breaking ball, 4-seam as hard as I could throw it.

[TheNumber35]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Baseball:
- As many said, never EVER stepped on the chalk lines
- Whenever I played in the outfield I sprinted from the dugout to the fence, touched it and backpedaled into position
- When I stepped into the box I always went right foot first and I took 3 swipes with my right foot to dig in, and afterwards put my left foot in the box.
- Before the pitcher started their windup I would always stick the bat out forward with one hand (kinda like Jim Thome)
- When I pitched, after I threw every pitch I would get the ball back and quickly walk over and past the mound before coming back to it.

Basketball:
- When I took a free throw, I would touch both shoes before I got the ball and would dribble the ball 3 times before shooting it.
- Always wore my socks inside out

[VDusen04]

Re: Sports Superstitions

I used to stand on my tippy toes for the duration of the National Anthem.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Football:
-2 Pairs of Nike Socks, black or white depending on if we were wearing Green or White jerseys.
-About an hour before we warmed up I'd throw on my helmet/gloves and go out with my friend who also played WR and we'd run basics routes for 10-15 minutes at half speed, i'd also go at FS to get a feel of the game as he ran a route.
-Senior and Junior year my GF would sent me a good luck or inspirational text that I would only read right before I left the locker room.
-During Warmups I would completely shut up until our pre game huddle chant.
-My helmet never came off except during halftime.

[mb625]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Only really had things that I did before/during every game in baseball. Other than the obvious not stepping on lines, all my quirks came while at the plate:
-When stepping into the batter's box, I always had to dig my back heel (my right) into the box 3 times exactly, then the front (left) foot twice.
-I'd tap the plate in the following manner: tap the far side of the plate, then the near side. Repeat.
-After that, I'd swing the bat in front of me halfway (in check swing manner, but slower) until the pitcher starts his wind-up, at which point I'd bring the bat back behind my shoulder.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Sports Superstitions

Just three for basketball:

Watched J.J. Redick's 41 point game against Texas before every game
Free throw routine was spin the ball, 3 left-handed dribbles, spin the ball, shoot
Went to half court and slapped the floor with my right hand after each turn in the pregame layup line

[Herky]

Re: Sports Superstitions

When I ran track at Northern Iowa I had my toenails painted purple before every meet. The schools colors are purple and gold.



Yes it was done by a girl and no I never painted them myself.

[PVarck31]

Re: Sports Superstitions

I had to shave my face and trim my goatee before every baseball game.