The farm team for future West High School musicals hit a home run last Thursday — two of them, actually.
Presenting "Inside Pitch," a one-act musical play about baseball, the fourth, fifth and sixth grade students at Blair Elementary School wowed two audiences of family, friends, staff and the public with their effort. They sang, danced, acted and brought the history and joy of baseball to life during an afternoon and an evening performance.
"I play baseball," said Yuriy Alekseykov, who portrayed Vida Blue in the play. "It's fun to perform."
As 100 voices united to sing the National Anthem Thursday morning, music teacher Peggy Pierson declared she got a double dose of goosebumps from their soulful sound.
"You guys don't sound like a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders, you sound like a choir from downstate," said Pierson, the play's director during the dress rehearsal. "This will blow the socks off of our visitors."
Donning homemade costumes and throwing themselves into character or the background chorus, students enjoyed the chance to shine.
"I think it's kind of fun to sing when all these kids come and listen to you," said Erik Postaychuk, who portrayed Whitey Ford in the show.
Other hitting and pitching stars making an appearance during the performance included Vida Blue, Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, Fred Merkle, Babe Ruth, Cy Young and Sandy Koufax. The story did not forget about the fans, the press, vendors or the umpires, either, giving a nod to each in song. The play's various skits acted out a facet of baseball history, lore or tradition, with songs such as "The Baseball Craze," "Dump on the Ump!" and "The Vendors' Song" lending punch to the story.
The narrative revolved around a group of seven friends putting together a report on the America's pastime. Delving into a suitcase filled with memorabilia, these students traced the history of the sport from it's beginnings in the mid 19th Century.
A veteran music teacher on her 11th year in the Traverse City system, Pierson has presented "Inside Pitch" two previous times in the district.
"This is the second time here, I do it about every four years," she said. "The whole thing is tied into baseball and we're a baseball family."
"I'm so proud of them, they groove on this," Pierson added.
Students previously performed the play for staff members of the Traverse City Beach Bums, a Frontier League baseball team whose new stadium, Wuerfel Park, is situated nearby. The school and team are forging close ties as the Beach Bums prepare for their inaugural season.
Putting together the show has been an intense endeavor for the students, who on Thursday were preparing for what Pierson called "a marathon" to get through the dress rehearsal and two performances. The past few weeks, as well, students logged extra hours on making costumes, memorizing lyrics and lines and singing, singing, singing. Pierson mixed in the baseball tunes in her general education music classes once a week throughout January and twice a week during February to lay the foundation.
"The teachers have been unbelievably supportive," said Pierson, noting that the Thursday dress rehearsal drew the fourth, fifth and sixth grade staff to the gym to watch, cheer and take pictures of their students.
"There's something really special about the staff here, they are flexible and accommodating," she added.
Sixth grade teacher Mike Schrotenboer noted a boost among his students' self confidence just from preparing for "Inside Pitch," especially among the sixth grade leads who have put in a lot of extra time.
"The group in general feels proud of their efforts," he said. "They're excited about this musical more than a regular concert."