Along with about 225 members, Marie Pratt, 77, is a part of the Oregon Daisy Ducks – a 42-year-old organization that Pratt calls “grandmothers away from home.” Pratt has been the baseball chairperson for four years and leads its efforts in supplying snacks for the Ducks during road trips and games. Pratt spoke with Emerald reporter Andrew Bantly about the relationship between the Daisy Ducks and the athletic department.
What are the Daisy Ducks all about?
The Daisy Ducks are a group of athletic support, for all athletics. We’re sort of grandmothers away from home. Normally for away games, we meet them and give them a bag with cookies in it, or rice krispies and a fruit so that they know that we’re thinking about them while they’re away. For me, I (also) put affirmations on each bag.
Why did you choose to be the baseball (chairperson)?
Baseball is my favorite sport… I was married at a young age (17) and was never a young person, so to speak. But when my children left home I was still young and healthy enough. I happened to work for J.C. Penney and they sponsored a baseball team. So, I joined that team. I like baseball because I know the strategy – what the plays are. I don’t see somebody just hitting the ball and running around the bases.
So you played on J.C. Penney’s softball team?
Right. And I was the oldest person on the team. I was pitcher and catcher. The thing is my swing is like a gold swing, so I would always hit (the ball) to right field, they didn’t expect that. It took maybe three innings for them to figure that out. So then they didn’t want to take me out of the game so I went to catcher.
What’s your relationship with the team like? It seems like you’re a motherly figure towards them.
They are the most friendly young men that I have ever met. I don’t care where I see them, they always walk up and say hi and give me a hug. And they’re so polite and considerate. One of our chairmen, Frieda Hewitt, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. And before the season ever started I stopped by the office and told them Frieda wasn’t doing well. (Some of the players) made a surprise visit to Frieda’s home and brought her flowers. She was so excited, it made her feel so good. She got a picture with the team, and three coaches were with them, and it is in a prominent place in her home.
This may be a terrible question, but do you have any favorites on the team?
They’re all my favorites, I just don’t know all of their names off the top of my head. I like Shaun Chase, the catcher, and the new pitcher – Conor Harber. He looks a lot like Tommy Thorpe from last year.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @andrewbantly