100 Inning Game

The Catawba College baseball team held their annual 100 inning fundraiser game on November 19th.  The game was played with a set of "speed-up" rules, so even though 100 innings weren't actually played, players got plenty of repetitions.  There were no pitchers, as all batters hit against a pitching machine, and they got one pitch per at-bat.  If they didn't swing or hit a foul ball, it counted as an out. The teams were divided up almost evenly, as the returning players played against newcomers to the program. 

The element of fun was added with two wrinkles.  First, pitchers were allowed to hit.  Because they don't get to hit in actual games, the pitchers were excited about this. The players were also happy about this because this usually meant automatic outs.  Another fun twist was that position players didn't have to play the same position they played in actual games.  Guys who normally play outfield took their turn at shortstop, while infielders wandered out to center field for a few innings. 

The 100 inning game always serves as a huge money maker for the program, and this year was no different.  Each player handed in addresses of family members and friends who might donate money to the program. Many of these fine people came through with donations, which are used to purchase equipment, uniforms, and hotel rooms.  The combination of baseball, fun, money donations, and beautiful weather meant that Catawba's 100 inning fundraiser game was a success once again.