AU softball strikes out cancer

Debbie Jones was in a hurry.

The Auburn softball team’s doubleheader against Kentucky was about to start. And Jones had a pressing appointment for a pregame prayer with a group of friends.

But before she could focus on either, she had another important task to accomplish.

“Excuse me,” Jones said to an Auburn employee handing out bright orange sheets of paper. “Could I have one of those?”

Jones was one of several Auburn fans at Jane B. Moore Field on Saturday who took advantage of a chance to do more than cheer. As part of the team’s “Strike Out Cancer” program, fans at Saturday’s doubleheader could pledge a dollar amount for each strikeout recorded by Auburn’s pitchers.

Jones, a Huntsville resident whose niece Anna Thompson is Auburn’s ace pitcher, tries to attend every AU home game. When she heard about the Strike Out Cancer event, she knew she couldn’t miss Saturday’s contest.

“We have several friends who have suffered with cancer,” Jones said. “I think it’s a really neat way to remember them and honor them.”

So Jones and her husband drove down to Auburn, snagged one of the pledge sheets and pledged to donate $1 for each Auburn strikeout.

They weren’t the only ones. Despite heavy rains that delayed Saturday’s start for two hours, several dozen fans held Strike Out Cancer pledge sheets when the game finally began.

When the doubleheader ended — Auburn won both games, 14-1 and 3-2 — Auburn’s pitchers had eight strikeouts.

And the American Cancer Society — Auburn’s partner in the Strike Out Cancer program — reaped the benefits.

Morgan Clark, the AU marketing department official who coordinated Saturday’s event, says the program is growing steadily after being introduced last year.

“The more response we get each year, the more encouraging it is,” Clark said. “And the budget gets a little bit larger each year, which allows us to do more.”

Auburn softball coach Tina Deese is looking forward to next season, when she and her players hope to wear pink uniforms as part of the promotion. This season, the Tigers had to settle for pink ribbons in their hair — and 250 souvenir bats, distributed to fans to increase breast-cancer awareness.

Deese said her players look forward to the event.

“Our kids have great hearts,” she said. “They’re wonderful people.”

The money raised Saturday will help fund the American Cancer Society’s research initiatives, patient services and educational campaigns.

Jones is sold on the concept.

“I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “It promotes awareness and health and all that.

“I think it’s a really good idea, and the more people you have contributing and made aware of these issues, the better it is. I hope this event really raised some money today.”

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