Players getting plenty of kicks out of hacky sack
PAWTUCKET — In shallow left field on a recent quiet Sunday morning at McCoy Stadium, a group of PawSox players form a makeshift circle.
They all flock for the latest spirited and raucous feet-only game of hacky sack. Judging by the cult-like response that doesn’t discriminate between pitchers and position players and typically features roars of laughter and several doses of playful ribbing, the PawSox have found another cure to break the relentless grind of the minor-league schedule.
(As an aside, last year’s club- house phenomenon, ping-pong, remains just as popular. So too is playing cards. Hacky sack, however, is strictly an outdoor activity.)
The hacky-sack game was imported by 2017 International League All-Star pitcher Edgar Olmos. During a series in Syracuse last month, Olmos went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and made an important purchase – a hacky sack with the picture of the Joker from Batman fame on it. The left-hander was looking to introduce his teammates to something that proved quite popular while Olmos pitched in Triple-A Norfolk last season.
Initially, hacky sack was a tough sell. By the end of the four-game set with the Chiefs, Olmos had fulfilled his role of chief ringleader. The number of participants grew to a point where a set time for each day’s round was agreed upon – 30 minutes prior to stretching before batting practice.
“Some guys were immediately in. Some were, ‘Nah, I don’t do that,” Olmos said. “Eventually, everyone came together.”
There’s never a finite number of participants per game. If you want to join the fun, don’t be bashful. Portraying hacky sack as a come-one, call-all venture once led to a game that featured a whopping 18 players. That must have been some circle!
While many of his fellow PawSox pitchers have followed his lead, Olmos noted the membership in the daily hacky sack wars isn’t completely slanted in one direction. PawSox infielders Mike Miller and Jantzen Witte will join, as will a member or two of the club’s catching corps. They come for the fun and stay for the camaraderie.
“It definitely helps with team chemistry,” Olmos. “Everyone jokes around with it. We’ll make fun of the guys, but it’s all kidding.”
A total of eight hacky sacks can be found in Olmos’ locker. Each day, a new one gets introduced. Some days, Olmos will allow PawSox southpaw Jalen Beeks to make that day’s selection.
“It’s completely opposite of baseball. You can’t use your hands or arms. With hacky sack, it’s all feet,” Olmos said. “It’s fun to take a step away from thinking about baseball and just going out there and having fun.”
PawSox manager Kevin Boles is a firm believer that displaying the human touch is just as important as conveying firmness and the need for his players to stay diligent. Sometimes, it’s perfectly acceptable to place the glove or bat down and engage in something that helps foster an upbeat work environment.
“We want guys to have fun while they’re here and mix it up a little bit – so long as the work happens and it’s not a distraction,” Boles said. “Guys will test the limits at times, but that’s when you’ve got to rein them back in.”
Boles is a fan of ping-pong, the belief that hitting a little white ball with a paddle can help with hand-eye coordination. Throwing around the football in the outfield is frowned upon.
“You hate to see a pitcher jam his hand because he’s trying to catch a skinny post,” Boles said.
What about hacky sack? Boles says all signs point to it as harmless entertainment. From what Olmos described, hacky sack has the redeeming quality of a warm-up exercise that targets the back, hips, and hamstrings.
“They do plenty as far as the cage work, side sessions, or watching video. There’s so much analysis. Sometimes, you have to get away from that stuff. You’ve got to have one of two things that serves as an outlet,” Boles said. “This isn’t Disneyland. We’re not doing roller coaster rides. This is a serious business. On the flip, you want guys to enjoy coming to work. There just has to be balance.”
As a youngster growing up in California, Olmos dabbled in soccer to the point where his mom’s side of the family was pleased to no end. Eventually, baseball won out, the preferred sport on his dad’s side. Nowadays, an energetic contest that was the brainchild of Olmos, one that closely adheres to the principles commonly seen in soccer, will break out on the outfield grass at McCoy Stadium and wherever the PawSox’ travels take them.
There is a purpose to these friendly neighborhood hacky sack games, and it has little to do with bragging rights.
“You take it as a get-loose sort of thing before the game, but you’re still out there having fun,” Olmos said.