Good-luck charms and superstitions return for softball season

High school softball teams have their own way of getting fired up. Here are some neat ones that some of Long Island's top players shared during a photo shoot at Newsday before the start of the 2013 regular season.

Island Trees junior pitcher Alannah Basile and senior third baseman Tori Tedeschi enjoy the Bulldogs’ pre-game ritual.

“Before the game, we lay on our stomachs in a circle and pump each other up,” Basile said. “It’s a confidence booster.”

Tedeschi agreed, and referred to the team’s motto -- "Cross the line, forget about it" -- as another good source for inspiration. “We try to calm every one down,” Tedeschi said. “Make a mistake with an error, or a strike out, forget about it.”

Kayla McCoy and her Smithtown West teammates aren’t shy when it comes to turning the bus into a karaoke machine for road games. The senior first baseman/shortstop joins in with the rest of the Bulls singing anything from "Our Song" by Taylor Swift, "Follow Me" by Uncle Kracker, or the Bill Withers classic "Lean On Me."

“Not sure if the bus driver likes it,” said McCoy, with a smile. “We all have fun. It brings us closer together. We’ve been doing it for years. It’s tradition.”

Chelsea Hawks, Shoreham-Wading River’s senior pitcher, mentioned the team’s mascot -- a real rock -- that is used only at home games for motivation.

“We also growl and do Indian chants right before home games,” Hawks said.

Baldwin senior pitcher Carly Mertens and the Bruins keep it real by wearing the same ribbons in their hair, while Longwood senior pitcher/shortstop Noel Lent and the Lions have practice T-shirts sporting the words "This Is Our Time" on the back.