The Bona Venture

Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Becky Mckeown More than 1,000 fans cheered from The Hill during the Bonnies' three-game weekend series against Richmond.

Somewhere between the Allegheny River and the Reilly Center, a salty charcoal scent rolls down the hill overlooking Fred Handler Park. On that hill, some 400 college students congregate, forming a human sea from behind the middle of the home dugout all the way to behind the home bullpen in left field.

That sea, tanning and bitter, foaming with alcohol, roars as the innings progress, sending catcalls and creative insults to Richmond's third baseman in sarcastic, merciless waves.

The Hill, as it's known to the team it supports and the opponents it attacks, brings southern college baseball fanaticism to a northern college baseball school.

And everyone loves it.

"The Hill's just a great place to watch a game. All the other places we've been to, there's nothing like it," sophomore pitcher Mike Pease said. "They have the grandstands, and people sit there quietly, but here, everyone lays out, brings blankets, brings drinks and has a great time."

Their record says the Bonnies enjoy themselves in the atmosphere, too. They've played 8-6 baseball at the Fred this season and have gone 4-4 against the conference at home. The Bonnies collected series wins against Xavier (24-17) and Richmond (18-19), defeating each team twice.

Coach Larry Sudbrook said his players recognize the support they have on The Hill.

"The players know that we get great support here at home, and we get as good or better support than anyone else in the conference," he said.

Sudbrook attributed the team's fan support with the tight-knit Bonaventure community.

"Everybody knows everybody. Everybody goes to class together. Everybody hangs out together," he said. "That's St. Bonaventure, and that's one of its strengths. That's why playing sports here can be a real pleasant experience."

Sudbrook has that pleasant experience up close every half-inning.

With the Bonnies at the plate, Sudbrook mans the coach's box on the third base side, picking up the incessant heckling the fans on The Hill send the opposing third baseman's way.

"Most of the third basemen tell you they kind of like it, but you can tell that it does get under their skin and it rattles them," he said.

Continued...

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