Zebras - part 2, Calvin Townes

Calvin Townes inspired this min-series about the officials at Outlaws games.

This is a photo of Calvin Townes.  You'll have to stay to
the end of this post to see "The" great photo, the one
that inspired blog posts about the officials.

   

 

I had never noticed the officials at Outlaws games.  Except maybe their professionalism.  Always sharply dressed in clean, pressed, zebra-striped uniforms.  Always business-like in facilitating good clean games.  Always respectful of the players.  Always in the background, where officials belong.

 

Then one of my game photos captured Calvin Townes in action.  He was in perfect position to monitor the play, seeing live what I was seeing in freeze-frame – one player punching another (the punchee deserved it, she had been sneakily doing illegal things) – and throwing the yellow flag because punching is illegal. The photo perfectly (brilliantly?) told the whole story.  (You can see this photo at the end of this post.)

 

I asked Outlaws General Manager, Lily Messina, if she could get me the name of the official in the photo.  She surprised me by knowing immediately, that was Calvin Townes.  It happens that Calvin is a part of the Outlaws adventure, a contributor to their success.

 

Calvin and I have one thing in common, an enormous respect for the ladies of professional football.  When I visited Outlaws practices I was impressed at how hard the women worked at playing the game, how eager they were to learn.  Calvin, too, admires the Outlaws spirit and gives of his time to support them.

 

Calvin visiting with injured Outlaw
Jennifer Beaumont.  He genuinely
cares about the Outlaw players.

Lily says of Calvin, “he's the guy who always makes sure we have a crew lined up for the season. He's always calling to see if we have any questions. He shows up at practices, walk-throughs, tryouts when we've asked him to. He treats us very well and takes care of us as an organization. You can tell he loves us and enjoys making contributions to helping our players”

 

He knows the players.  I asked Calvin about a pre-game photo of him with one of the Outlaws.  He said “That’s Amber Lyons. She’s number 32.  Amber is a great player.”

Outlaw #32 Amber Lyons posing with Calvin
before a game.

 

He cares.  When I asked him what the Referee’s job is (the referee is the official with the white hat who lines up behind the quarterback) Calvin said “He makes sure the quarterback doesn’t get killed.” 

 

Marcus Gravenburg and Calvin.
They travel to Waco to
officiate the annual scrimmage
with a couple Dallas teams.

A part of the Outlaws pre-season practice is a trip to Waco where they meet a couple Dallas teams for a scrimmage.  It is a great opportunity for rookies to get the feel of actual blocking and tackling and for veterans to size up the competition.  Calvin Townes and crewmate Marcus Gravenburg officiate these scrimmages.

 

Calvin officiating at the Waco scrimmage.  Note #32,
Amber Lyons, leading in making the tackle.  Calvin
says "She's a great player."

 

Marcus Gravenburg, Calvin's crewmate officiating at
a Waco scrimmage.

 

After the scrimmage they meet with the players and “answer questions about the rules, discuss how we’d handle certain situations, what they can and cannot do.”  Football is a complicated game with lots and lots of rules.  The Waco trip is a great opportunity for player learn.    

Calvin recently has been the timer at Outlaws games so you don’t see him on the field.  Before retiring to the timer desk he was an umpire.  The umpire lines up behind the defense, about ten yards off the line of scrimmage.  I consider that the most dangerous position for an official because the flow of the play is coming right at him.

Calvin is/was the umpire lining up behind the defensive line and linebackers.  In my mind this is
the toughest job for the officials because the action is going to come his way and he has to know
how to avoid getting involved but still make the call.

 

Lily tells about a time when running back Monica Gauck used the umpire as a blocker. “ After the short little pass to get just past the line of scrimmage, Monica scooted around the Ump.  The linebacker who thought she was going to tackle Monica ran into the Official instead.”

 

Calvin says he knows the game and knows how to position himself so he doesn’t get in the middle of the action.  But the officials are part of the field and running into them doesn’t stop the play.

 

In spite of his connection with the team, Calvin is every bit the professional during games.  Lily says of his love for the team, “Unfortunately, that ceases at the coin toss and he treats us like any other team.”

 

Which leads to my favorite photo.  Where Calvin is in the perfect position to see what is going on.  He notices one of the Outlaws punching an opponent.  Even if the opponent deserved the punch, punching is illegal and Calvin throws the flag. 

On the field Calvin is professional, unbiased.  If an Outlaw breaks a rule, he'll throw the flag.
This is one of my all time favorite photos because it captures the whole story.  You can almost
hear the whistle blowing.  Well, it does omit whatever the Houston player was
doing before to incite the wrath of the Outlaw.

 

I first met the Outlaws when I retired from my day job and decided to pursue a lifelong ambition to be a sports photographer/writer.  I’ve found this team attracts a lot of really nice people and I’ve even done a couple posts to the blog labeled “nice people.”  Calvin Townes is one of them.  A really nice guy.  I’m happy I got to meet him and I’m happy to introduce him to you.

Megan Riley and the Texas Chili Parlor

Caroline Hailson, daughter of Megan's friend and former
co-worker, Olivia Hailson.  What time is it?
Shot time!

Our last post included a photo and a question.  This is the photo, a young lady holding a sign.  The sign asks "What Time is it?"  and has a picture of some beverage.  I couldn't figure out the answer to the sign question so I asked blog visitors for help.

Outlaws wide receiver Megan "Red" Riley replied.   "The answer to this sign  is 'Shot time' lol."  She went on to comment:  "After the game, ladies, after the game."


As with many answers, hers raised more questions for me.  Like why would Megan's fans associate a shot of anything with football?  And that gave me a topic for today's post.

Megan's nick name is "Red" because, well look at a couple photos from Outlaw's practices. 

Not clear in this picture but I wanted to get
context - Megan is a receiver and this is a shot
of her practicing receiving.  In the next photo
she has received and is starting to practice running.

In this one you can see the red hair.

Right.  She's a red-head.  Natural nickname, "Red."

But that's not the reason for the sign.  The sign relates to her work.  Megan is a bartender at the famous Texas Chili Parlor located at 1409 Lavaca in downtown Austin.  The TCP website promises "A visit to TCP will do your spirit good—great food, full bar, lively staff, and funky atmosphere..." (emphasis mine)

Megan became an instant celebrity for me when I learned she is part of the lively staff at TCP.  I have a fond memory of taking some corporate guests to the Texas Chili Parlor.  I worked at the local office of a large corporation based in Bloomington, Illinois.  (Illinois.  North.)  A couple corporate associates visited me so I could show them the right way to run a top quality department.  As a special treat I took them to Texas Chili Parlor.  

My friend Ron ordered Chili - what else would you order at a Chili Parlor?  The waitress asked what grade, one-X, two-X, or three-X.  Ron timidly said one-X but quickly upgraded to two-X when he saw a look of derision cloud the server's face.  A little later and about half-way through lunch we noticed Ron had become quiet, his face bright red,  beads of sweat dripping down.  We asked how he was enjoying his Chili.  "Great," he lied, "but I don't think I could have handled the three-X." 

(By way of full disclosure, I'm a Yankee, too.  I didn't order Chili at all because even one-X scares me.  Give me mild food...)

So Megan, who are these fans of yours?  The one holding the "What Time is it" sign is Caroline Hailson.  Caroline's mother is Olivia Hailson who, five years ago, worked at "said Chili Parlor" and became friends with Megan.  The whole family came to the game loaded with signs and good cheer to encourage Megan. 

Left to right, Louie Hailson, Olivia, daughter Mary (red hair), niece Rachel (who currently
works with Megan at the Chili Parlor), and "baby" Hailson Caroline who lives in Denton.

Being a photographer at Outlaws games has enabled me to meet many fascinating and fun and nice people.  Even some celebrities, like a bartender at a Texas landmark establishment.  I have great admiration for bartenders even though my alcohol consumption is limited to a glass of wine from time to time. 

On the chance some of Megan's friends and co-workers will see this blog post, I browsed my photos looking for shots of Megan in action.  Found a couple.  I think they capture the essence, if not the fun, of the game.

Sometimes wide receivers get to carry the
ball from scrimmage. 

The ground is hard.  Can you see Megan's eyes?  Is she wincing?  Or did I just catch her
in mid-blink.  Sure looks like fun, doesn't it?

Megan, one of these days I'm going to revisit the Chili parlor and let  you pour me a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay.  And maybe a little Chili - do you have zero-X Chili?

Can I have your autograph?

Nice People - Fans

Yikes!  Last post was last Tuesday.  This blogger is getting lazy.  My goal is three posts per week but I'll settle for two in the off-season.  I've been working on profiles - interviewing interesting players so you can get to know them better than just a jersey number on the field.  Profiles take time.  

So between profile posts I should just do some fun but quick and easy posts.  Like featuring fans.  Today I browsed my fan photos from one game, the Houston game.  I wonder if the fans know about the blog?  I wonder if they ever realize I have made them Internet celebrities.  I wonder if they'd mind being in the blog if they did know?

If you know any of the fans in today's post, please give them the link.

So what do you think?  Is he sitting in seat #16?  or #18? 
Something about him gives me the sense he is a VIP.  Maybe
a corporate executive or something. 

Fan photos are interesting to me for a variety of reasons.  Some are just interesting individuals. 

I like the beard.  And the leather hat.  Somehow I imagine
him involved the the sea, maybe a retired ship captain.

Friends of a player?  Relatives of a player?  I
don't think they look old enough to be parents. 

There are lots of couples.  I wonder if they're wife and husband, dating, siblings.  What brings them to the Outlaws game?  Are they relatives of one of the players?  Serious football fans?  I'll never know.

I think they could be parents of one of the players.  They're
younger than I but still old enough to be parents.  I don't
have a clue about which player(s) they favor. 

Some fan photos make the blog because I just like the way
the fans look.  This couple appear to be nice people.  Don't
you think? 

I have a lot of fun shooting groups of fans.  Sometimes they see the camera pointing their way and pose...

I may have used another version of this photo in another post.  Hope you don't mind. 
Outlaws games are fun.  Fans have fun.  Fans add to the fun.  If you haven't been
attending the games, watch for next season's schedule and come on down.  These
are six witnesses to tell you it is a great way to spend a Saturday evening.

And sometimes they don't notice me because they're doing what fans are supposed to do, cheering for the team. 

I love catching fans in mid-cheer.  A couple observations for you to contemplate.  First, I never point
my camera at the fans when there is action on the field.  So these fans are cheering while nothing
is happening.  Well, at least no football play is happening.  I wonder if I'm missing something by
viewing the fans instead of the field.  A second profound observation is for anyone who
has tried photography.  When there are multiple subjects - in this case four young ladies - there
are multiple opportunities to get at least one with a pose out of sync with the rest.  Whenever
I shoot a group and all of them look great, I'm proud.  Or shocked that I got it right.

Or cheering for a specific player.  I suspect most of the fans cheer for a favorite player or two.  But I never know for certain which player.  Well, unless the fan is carrying a sign.  

Fans of Megan Riley, #19.

There are a few signs at Outlaws games.  Normally I can tell what the sign is about.  In the photo above, it is obvious the fans are cheering for Megan "Red" Riley, #19.  But some of the signs...

Now please understand, I'm older than you.  With age we tend to slow down a little.  And we get out of touch with the current generation. 

I'm about to admit ignorance.  I'm asking you to explain the sign to me.  Please be nice.  If the meaning is obvious, if you can't imagine anyone would have trouble figuring it out, just remember, I could be your father.  Your grandfather even. 

I don't understand this sign.  Can you explain it to me?

So what does it mean, this "What Time is it"?  I remember a television show that opened with that question and the answer was "Tool Time."  Somehow that doesn't fit the football game setting.  So I'm asking your help.  Please explain the sign to me. 

Where have I been?; Kids

Why are they standing
back to back?

On June 24 I posted a not very serious discussion of what I consider a serious subject - my point was that differences in people make life interesting.  Viva la difference.  The post featured a couple of my favorite Outlaws clowning it up a little in a series of size comparison photos. 

Then on June 28, I posted some fun photos called the faces of football.  One of the faces-photos was salvaged from the size-comparison shots and recalled the days of my youth when proud parents had cousins stand back to back to see which is taller. 

Are you still with me? 

I'm trying to get two ideas covered in one post and one long introduction.  First,  frequency of posting to this blog.  June 24, June 28, and now July 2.  Four days between posts.  That's fewer than two posts per week.  Is this what you should expect in the future?  Answer: I don't know.  I'm aiming at three posts per week.  But lately...

...lately I've been working on some really cool subjects.  Like Rubi Reyna and Ereka Howard and Maile and Malia Capers-Cristobal and QT Preston.  I want to resume player profiles, like the May 10 profile of Cookie,  because you like them and they're fun to do.  But they take more time than other posts.  Profiles require meetings and interviews.  I'm not a good interviewer; I get to talking and forget to focus and then have to follow up with questions like why is Maile nicknamed "Tab"?

To fill in between-profiles, I like to insert some fun posts.  I'm working on one about  zebras - the officials.  I had fun with my size post.  And "Neat or Messy."  And "Tricks of the Game." 

Or fill in with just fun photos (are you impressed that I've resisted the temptation to spell the "F" sound the same way?  Fun Fotos.  Or Phun Photos.  It is tempting.)  The problem with this is I have too many photos.  Sifting through them to pick ones worthy of you, who take your time to visit my blog, is a big job.  So posting frequency is unpredictable.  The goal is about every other day. 

Would you like to post here?  If you'd like to post to my blog, let me know.  I'd love to have guest posts.

Today I'm posting phun photos. 

Of kids.  If you know these kids or their families, please tell them they're featured here.  If anyone would prefer not to be on the internet, just let me know and I'll delete the picture.

I think the one in the red
shirt is taller.

When I pointed my camera toward three boys who were playing around on the sidelines before the game, they noticed and posed.    Posed back- to-back the way we cousins used to be posed for height comparison. Two are in the lead photo above, two here.
That reminded me of my recent size comparison post titled "The Long and the Short."  Which gave me a hook for starting todays post.  Not much of a hook but I don't need much. 

Now that you see two different sets of boy back to back, can you tell which is taller?

When kids or other people see my camera aiming their way, they pose.  Usually I dislike posed photos (you should see how much trouble I have shooting the posed head-shots for profiles) but sometimes they work.  As in the case of this young Outlaws fan.

Honestly, I can't hear the noise these noise-makers make.

She is holding a couple noise-makers.  Each is inscribed with "go team" and during the game she bangs them together to make encouraging noises and inspire the Outlaws.  When I pointed the camera at her she demonstrated.  If the photos aren't as sharp as you've come to expect of my photos, it is because she was quite a distance away and the lighting was imperfect and don't blame the photographer but blame the camera...

Catching kids unaware is more my photographic style.  I've noticed that younger ones aren't always engaged in the happenings on the field.  And not always totally delighted about being here. 

He has brought a toy train engine to
the game for when the action doesn't
interest him. 

Don't know what he's sad about.  He has a snack
sack.  I do have other photos of this young fan with
less forlorn facial epressions but I like this one
best (sorry mom).

He does appear to be engaged in whatever is
happening on the field.

Coming up soon, on Wednesday if I keep to my schedule, fun posts and profile posts (which are fun, too). 

Nice People

When the action on the field slows down, I aim my camera at the fans.  And get some really cool photos.  Proving good photography isn't the photographer, isn't the camera, it is the subject(s).  Today I'm just posting some of my favorite shots of fans from the Houston game, Saturday, June 16.

I usually don't do well if my subject knows I'm taking the photo.  Other times it works out okay.  In the photo above, the folks knew I was shooting them, and happily hammed it up for me when they saw the camera pointed their way.  This post is in the category "nice people."  They're all nice people.  

The couple in the following photo are also aware of the camera.  Well, she is.  She's trying to get him to notice me.  And I think she's failing.  His eyes seem focused just over my left shoulder.  Her's are right on target.  I haven't met them but I like them. 

Sometimes I know the subject of my photo.  The one above, in the red shirt, is Jo-Anne Capers.  She has two daughters playing on the Outlaws, Malia and Maile.  The daughter's share a hyphenated last name, Capers-Cristobal.  This is the first time I've noticed mom has a hypnenate first name, Jo-Anne.  One of these days I'm going to do a posting on the fascinating subject of hyphenated names.  And I'll start with the Capers-Cristobal family. 

They're from Hawaii.  I think I'd rather be to-Hawaii than from-Hawaii but Austin is a pretty good substitute for Waikiki.  I think Jo-Anne is attempting to do a hook-em horns sign but she hasn't mastered the art yet.  Close but no cigar. 

The photo below is of three of my long time favorite people.  And I'm happy to announce to you that, for the first time ever, I can give you the names of man behind the binoculars and the woman in pink.  I've posted photos of them many times but never knew their names.  I consider them friends.  They always wave at me.  They come to all Outlaws games and I have often chatted with them, but being me, I've never asked their names.  At Saturday's game, I learned their names.  And I'm proud to report the way I learned.  The other person in the photo is KJ Scheib, former Outlaw.  KJ has been reading my blog.  KJ noticed I didn't know the names of these important fans.  KJ called me over and introduced me. 

 The nice lady in pink is Beatrice and the gentleman is Ellis.

 

I don't know most of the people I photograph.  If you know any of them please give them a link to my blog so they'll see I'm making them famous.  The ones I don't know capture my attention because... well, I don't really know.  Certainly one reason is because I think they look good.  I'll never post an image if I don't find the subject attractive.  Sometimes handsome or beautiful.  More often "nice" looking.  They look like people I'd enjoy meeting.  Like the couple in the following photo.  They just look like nice folks, don't they.

Or the young lady below.  I didn't notice until I posted her picture that she is wearing a label, "Bad Girl."  I wonder if that's "bad" in the good sense of the term.  Like a "bad" car meaning  a really cool good car.  I had two photos of this bad girl.  The first was candid, the second is the one I've posted where she knew I was pointing my camera in her direction.  Once again, I posted this because she looks nice. 

Then there are the kids.  I love getting pictures of kids at the games.  I've said the good photograph isn't about the camera or photograrpher but the subject.  Somehow kids make wonderful subjects.  The young man in the photo to the left is interested in something out there.  There must be a break in the action on the field so whatever is interesting him, it isn't football.  I just like his expression, the Cheetos in his hand.  One of these posts soon, I'll feature lots of kid photos. 

The photo below, the last in today's post, I like a lot.  At half time the Outlaws gathered on the field and invited young fans to come and get photographed with the players.  I have several photos of this event - MaryLou did a better job covering it.  My photos are candids.  Taken from off center.  I'll post others from the event someday. 

The one I've posted here features one my most favorite people.

That is Lily Messina.  She is one of the founders of the Outlaws.  She is the key person behind the remarkable success of this organization.  I have many photos of Lily.  I've posted her profile elsewhere in this blog.  She has often shown up in action shots, as offensive guard or center. 

This photos captures for me just how special Lily is. 

You'll appreciate it a little more if you notice she's in uniform. A couple years ago Lily had a serious injury to her foot.  She played a season in spite of the injury and then retired.  And came out of retirement because they needed her on the field; it is always difficult to keep enough players healthy and active, especially enough to play in the offensive line. Lily came out of retirement becuaes the team needed her.  Lily retired again and this season devoted her time to coaching the line.  Until the center hurt her leg and was doubtful about playing in the final game.  Lily once again responded coming out of retirement for one game, for the good of the team. 

In this photo you can see Lily's love of the game, love of the people who come to the games.  She's letting a young fan try out her helmet.  And delighting in the moment. Delighting as she shares some of the experience of being an Austin Outlaw.  For twelve years Lily has been enabling dozens or hundreds of women to experience being an Austin Outlaw.   

This blog post is about nice people. 

 I know none nicer than Lily Messina. 

Where Would You Sit?

When there's a pause in the action on the field I turn my camera on the fans.  I love Outlaws fans.  I often just print close-ups of fans.  Giving them a few moments of fame on this blog. 

Recently, being a philosopher at heart, I got to thinking as I viewed my fan photos.   I wondered if money were no object, if I could sit whereever I wished, where would I sit?  Ordinarily tickets to games include an assigned seat.  I attended a UT game a few years ago.  My assigned seat was way high up there.  At first I was disappointed.  Then I realized the perspective gave me a view of the entire field.  I saw a UT receiver catch a pass about ten yards beyond the line of scrimmage and I knew it would go for a touchdown because I could see the entire field and no defender was anywhere close to the receiver.

If I weren't assigned a seat, where would I sit?

When I go to Outlaws games to shoot pictures, I stay on the sidelines. The goal is to get close up shots of the action.  But that perspective isn't very good for viewing the game.  To paraphrase an old saying, I can't see the game for the players. 

If I were attending the game just as a spectator, where would I sit? 

Someplace in the middle of the bleachers?  I'm big and I love having space.  The fan in the photo below isn't big but she has lots of space.  I'd like that.

Would I sit in the middle someplace?  I'd like having all that space.

Would I sit at the top?  Remembering my remarkable view at the UT game, the view from the top is cool.  Now I'm unlikely to select this because to view from the top you have to climb a lot of stairs.  Hauling my large self up a lot of stairs might be good exercise but I wouldn't be so large if I liked exercise.  It would be different if I were attending a University of Michigan game.  There you enter their stadium at the top and walk down to the closer seats.  I don't mind walking down but everything that goes down must come up and that would be exercise and I don't much like exercise.

How about the very top row?  The problem is you have to climb
all those stairs to get there.

Or would I get as close to the field as possible, sitting right on the front edge of the bleachers?

I should know the name of Shadana's daughter.  I've known
her since she was very little.  But my memory for names
just doesn't work very well.

Would I sit with just a couple close friends?  One of these fans has a little dog. 

Three friends enjoying the game together. 

Or would I sit with a bunch of friends?

A group of friends. 

I've admitted before I'm kind of shy and kind of a loner.  It is very likely I'd be someplace all by myself.  If I need company I can phone home on my IPhone.

This could be me.  I'm a loner.  I like space and privacy.  He's got both.

One thing I'd consider is whether to sit on the sunny side or the shady side.  The sunny side has a nice sound to it, like the old song "Keep Your Sunny Side Up."  But in Texas the sunny side has other implications.  Hot.  Sunburn.  I hope the fans in the photo below wore sunscreen.  I wonder if their sunscreen had that coconut smell?  My wife likes visiting the coast and lazing on the beach.  We haven't had much time to do that in the past few years so sometimes she'll smear on a little sunscreen so the special delicious smell will remind her of days relaxing on South Padre Island.  At sporting events you tend to sit on the side of the field where your team is, without thinking sunny or shady.  The Outlaws graciously allow the visiting team the sunny side so I'm naturally on the Outlaws side which is the shady side.  But if the Outlaws were on the sunny side, which would I select?  Sit with my favorite team?  Or sit with the enemy in the shade? 

As a wannabe photographer, I always want the sun at my back because that provides the best lighting for my subjects.

Professional courtesy.  The Outlaws always allow the visitors to enjoy the sunny side of
the stadium. 

Okay, your turn.  Where would you sit?



Nice People - Former Outlaws

Last Saturday was alumnae day at the Outlaws game.  A couple of my favorite alums were there, Laura Eddy and Mary Nguyen.  I had profiled both of them for the Outlaws website.  At that time Laura was the biggest Outlaw and Mary the smallest so I made certain to include photos of the two of them together.  They were good sports and did  some silly poses for me. 

At my request Mary and Laura agreed to clown around a little
to emphasize the biggest/smallest player theme.

Laura Eddy and Mary Nguyen

Both are high on my list of nice people.  They sat together at the game and I managed to get a photo of them I really like.  What is remarkable is Laura's weight loss.  Since leaving the Outlaws she has been doing things I need to do - watching her diet and working out - and she is substantially smaller than when she played.  And she's really looking good.









Another former Outlaw and one of my favorite people is KJ Scheib.  There's a profile of her somewhere in this blog - check the profile label to find it.  KJ was the first Outlaw I profiled on the website.  She was a student of the game and worked harder than just about anyone at building strength and learning the skills.  She has a masters degree and made our interview interesting with profound insights into football and life. 

At the game she was seated with a couple other folks - one is a long time Outlaws fan who has shown up in this blog several times.  I don't know the other.  But I love the candid photo.  KJ's expression tells me she has just used her I-Phone to prove a point.  Reminds me of our interview...

KJ Scheib in the center. 



Lorin Smith

Lorin Smith was at the game. She's one of the original Outlaws. I've profiled her in this blog. Just check the "Labels" section to read her story. It appears she was put to work for the team. Not sure why extra chairs were needed

Another former Outlaw came not to spectate but to participate.  You maybe didn't even recognize her.  Alex Allen is the new Annie Outlaw.  I love her enthusiasm and energy and I'm posting several photos of her in costume. 

Alex Allen as Annie the Outlaw

Annie/Alex heading out on the field for the half-time Pinata party.

Handing out bags so the youngsters will have a way to carry away
the goodies that fall from the pinata.  I didn't stay to photograph
the pinata demise.  Sorry.

A part of Annie's responsibility is to engage the younger members of the Outlaws audience.  At half time she hosts a pinata party.  In a future post we'll feature more kid photos.

Outlaw players and fans are some of the nicest people I know.