A little bit of wind did not stop wiffle ball enthusiasts from participating in Kappa Alpha Theta’s KATs and Bats fundraiser Sunday afternoon on Fraternity Hill.
The unexpected gusts made for some wild pitches, questionable throws, and hits that were almost impossible to field. But the raffles, food sales and team entrance fees raised money for Theta’s philanthropy, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Senior Katie Hurley said CASA advocates “act as the voice for the children during the court process, work(ing) with the court to explain the child’s needs and wants.”
Hurley, who organized last year’s event, said the event has a direct local effect.
“All of the money we raise from KATS and Bats goes directly to the Delaware CASA, right in our own city,” she said.
Some Theta members served as umpires for games played on four makeshift baseball diamonds.
Others, like junior Amy Siemon, Theta president, were assigned to coach one of several fraternity or sorority teams. Siemon said she enjoyed coaching the Phi Psis.
Tilghman Strudwick, a junior member of Phi Psi, said he thought the event was well organized and that each team had a fair shot to win, although Phi Delt took this year’s trophy. Despite Phi Psi’s first round loss, he still enjoyed the event.
“My favorite part of KATs and Bats was relaxing outside, playing a great game of baseball, and enjoying the music that [was] played for us all day,” he said.
Junior Andrew Dos Santos is not affiliated with a fraternity, but still ventured out of his dorm to see what KATs and Bats was all about. He had never been to the event before, but he said he looks forward to participating next year.
According to Hurley, Dos Santos was not the only independent who came out to support the cause.
“There was a great turn out today,” she said. “We had almost all sororities, all fraternities, including
FIJI, and a few teams made up by other organizations and Delaware local businesses. Overall, I was very impressed by how many people came to play, or just stop by and watch the games.”
Junior Megan Bachelder, a Delta Gamma, said she enjoyed the event’s atmosphere.
“I wish we had something like that every Sunday where we just played music and had all the Greeks hang out together,” she said.
Hurley said the next step is to get an even wider range of the OWU community involved.
“OWU Students have definitely proven that they enjoy the event with their amazing support, so now it’s time to really push for faculty and staff support as well,” she said.