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But the soccer hooligans of Europe might have a greater respect
for Americans if they came to a Charleston Battery soccer game. While there are
no riots in the streets, it's obvious that most fans are really into it.
They stomp
the bleachers on corner kicks, scream at the referees for bad calls, and stand
up and cheer when the good guys score a goal. "Battery games are exciting
and intense. There's never a dull moment," says soccer fan Andrew Cannon,
14.
For a soccer
player, this is a great way to spend a Saturday night. Not only is the Battery
one of the top-ranked A-League teams, but Blackbaud Stadium is one of the best
soccer facilities in the country.
With lush,
green grass, comfortable seats, plenty of concessions, a miniature soccer theme
park and even a pub, Battery games have more than just a great soccer match to
offer. It's a great place for community soccer teams to hang out after playing
their own games.
Location: Blackbaud Stadium,
1990 Daniel Island Drive.
Admission: Ticket prices range
from $6 (for a bleacher seat on the east side) to $12 (for a comfortable club
seat on the west side). Groups of 10 or more can get $2-$3 off per ticket, so
Battery games are a great place to take your whole soccer team.
Parking: $5.
Where to
sit:
The west side gives you the best view because you won't get the sun in your
eyes. The sun is usually past the horizon by the second half, though, so the
east side isn't really that bad.
Food: There is plenty to
eat and drink behind the stands, like hot dogs, burgers and Italian ice. You
also can find people from local restaurants, such as SoCal Burrito, selling
food.
Playtime: The Fun Zone behind
the stadium features a station that measures your kicking speed, a penalty kick
game and the popular human foosball game. All the games are free with admission
and are popular with little kids and teenagers.
More about
human foosball: Players are strapped onto horizontal bungee cords inside large,
inflated walls, so they can move only from side to side. The point, just like
in foosball or soccer, is to get the ball in the other team's goal. It's as fun
as it sounds. Lots of people get right back in line as soon as their turn is
over.
Cheers: There aren't any
cheers that all the fans know like in football or hockey, but they usually
stomp on the metal bleachers really loudly when the Battery has a corner or
penalty kick. It feels almost like an earthquake, and you'll be thankful that
the stands are sturdy.
Getting on
the field: You also can sign your soccer team up to be ball boys or ball
girls. (I've done it before, and it felt like a great honor to be there on the
sidelines. Plus it was a great view.)
Mascot: The Battery doesn't
have an amazingly creative mascot. He's a big, friendly, black and yellow
soccer ball.
But I guess
you can't blame them. What else could you use for a team named the Battery?
Players to
watch:
The Battery's star players include Dusty Hudock, the 2002 Goalie of the Year,
and Paul Conway, the team's all-time leading scorer and 2001 league MVP.
The entire
team is awesome.