Story last updated at 9:58 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2003

HOT SPOT: CHARLESTON BATTERY SOCCER GAMES

To the rest of the world, it may seem as if Americans have no appreciation for the art of soccer. After all, this is the country that claims baseball as its national pastime.

FILE/STAFF

The Battery's star players include Dusty Hudock, the 2002 Goalie of the Year, shown defending the goal in this 2001 photo.

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.

By Ink contributor Paul Bowers, 14, Rollings Middle School of the Arts.