Ryan Barry, dressed as a dinosaur, fields a ball during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Sam Brand swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
(Right) Alex Owens looks to third base during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Pierce College Baseball Halloween Team Photo taken after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
(Left to right) Kenny Baumgartner attempts to tag Chris Hammond during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Pierce College Baseball players bring their hands in for a break after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Sam Brand’s glove after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Baseball Head coach BIll Picketts explains the rules before Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Jackson Briscoe dressed as Scooby Doo hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Dirk Ryan dressed as the Brawny Man hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Matt Svoles dressed as an umpire runs to first base during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Dirk Ryan attempts to catch the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Zack Garcia swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
(Left to right) Kenny Baumgartner and Alex Owens react after a play during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Gloves on the field during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Zack Garcia swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Leon Jackson swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Chris Hammond swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Bats against the dugout net during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Tyler Freeland swings at the ball during a split-squad Halloween game at Pierce College’s Kelly Field on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Cecilia Parada.
Head Coach Bill Picketts speaks to players after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Players sit in the dugout after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Leon Jackson hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Zack Garcia and Joe Metcalfe during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Players watch as Leon jackson and Jackson Briscoe play Rock Paper Scissors to determine who bats first before Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Head Coach Bill Picketts speaks to players after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Gavin Haimovitz and Matt Roth after Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Tyler Freeland dressed as Allen Iverson loses his glove during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Kenny Baumgartner hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Daniel Velasquez dressed as a lifegaurd waits between bases during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
WIld Art during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Chri Hammond dressed as a pineapple hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Brent Swearingen dressed in red spandex hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Matt Svoles dressed as an umpire hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Bryce Clymber dressed as Bennny Rodriguez hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Joe Metcalf dressed as Superman hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Leon Jackson dressed as Cristiano Ronaldo hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Leon Jackson dressed as Cristiano Ronaldo runs backward between bases during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Donovan Waitman dressed as LL Cool J hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Leon Jackson dressed as Cristiano Ronaldo hits a pitch during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
Matt Svoles dressed as an umpire runs to first base during Pierce College Baseball’s Halloween Backwards Game at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 31, 2019. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
On a day where many students dressed up, baseball joined in the Halloween spirit by playing their annual Backwards Baseball Game.
This is a tradition that was started by baseball’s head coach Bill Picketts as a way to have a break from the normal practices.
“The players love having fun. In the years we did this, it was successful. It is a challenge though because they have to do things differently. They must run backwards, throw and catch with their opposite hand,” Picketts said.
The players were required to do everything backward. They hit from the opposite side, threw with their non-dominant hand and ran to third base after putting the ball in play. They even had to run facing the base where they were previously.
The majority of players decided to dress in traditional Halloween costumes, such as Superman and Scooby Doo, but Kenny Baumgartner decided to dress as Picketts.
Hakeem Yatim wore a magnet with baby chicks glued to it. He said it was his first time participating in this tradition.
“I had joined the team in the spring. It is a great way to let loose for a bit. Some people will have good plays, while others will mess up,” Yatim said. “I feel I have to be creative with my costume.”
Zack Garcia dressed as a UPS delivery man for his mom, who works for the company.
“My mother does so much,” Garcia said. “And even though it was tough to run backwards because I fell down, it was fun and I enjoyed it.”
