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For several years now, the Grand View baseball and softball teams have competed in an annual Halloween-themed game called “Boosball.” The 50-inning, slow pitch game is a fundraiser for both teams and promotes a little fun and friendly competition.

“We’re in full Halloween costume, and we run the bases backwards and just have all kinds of fun,” Lou Yacinich Sr., head baseball coach, said. “It’s a great fundraiser, and the fundraiser goes to buying baseball and softball equipment for the participants that are on this year’s team.”

Each member of the softball and baseball teams are required to send out pledge cards to at least 25 family members or friends that could be possible donors. The receivers of these cards are asked to pledge an amount of money for each inning played.

“We didn’t want to do a fundraiser where we just go out and ask for money,” Yacinich said. “This has been a great way to have some type of a show. A lot of family and friends show up for the game.”

Yacinich Sr. explained that he picked up the idea for Boosball from a junior college coach in Kansas. The game was originally held in January, but was soon switched to October and became Halloween themed.

Many members of both the baseball and the softball team shared their anticipation and excitement for the upcoming game.

“It’s a blast,” Evan DeCovich, senior first baseman, said. “We get together with the softball team dressed up in costumes and have a lot of fun with it.”

“[The softball team] always wins,” Jessica Grochala, senior infielder, said. “So I know we’re going to win again… We may or may not cheat.”

According to the coaches and players, there are no strict rules for Boosball which adds unpredictability and excitement to the game.

For freshmen on the teams, the Boosball game will be a completely new experience.

“Coming into my freshman year, I had no idea what Boosball was,” Bailey Bliss, sophomore outfielder, said. “All I knew was that I needed to find the best-looking costume and be ready for the softball team to cheat a little.”

Most of the players agree their favorite part of the Boosball game is seeing the costumes their teammates and coaches wear.

“We’ve had the cast of the Flintstones, we’ve had Star Wars, we’ve had Ghostbusters,” Yacinich Jr. said.

To see the costumes worn in last year’s Boosball game and get an idea of what bizarre fun is to be expected this weekend, watch the video below! And be sure to attend the event on October 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. to witness the fun for yourself.