The University of Southern Indiana baseball players have spiced things up with their walk-up music on campus. To encourage focus and comfort during games, players hear a few seconds of their individually picked songs when they go up to bat.

Instead of hearing the silent anticipation of the crowd when players approach the box, players hear their favorite song.

Each player’s song is different, with the majority being of the hip-hop genre. Walk-up music artists vary from Don Omar, Michael Jackson and Red Hot Chili Peppers, a far contrast from the country music that is normally played between innings through the speakers at the USI baseball field.

According to freshman Kyle Niemeier, the music selection is up to the player.

“Each player picks (his) individual song,” he said.

Kyle Niemeier, volunteer assistant coach and former Eagle, said the songs are supposed to be upbeat.

“It fires them up personally,” he said.

When the Screaming Eagles are up to bat, walk-up songs are an added motivation to win. When each batter hears his song, it’s a constant reminder to relax and play smart.

The walk-up songs add variety to the game and shed light on the player’s personalities.

Junior AJ Dokey picked “Danza Karudo” by Don Omar, a very upbeat, reggaeton-style song as his walk-up music because it offers a calming feel in high stress situations.

“I picked it because I wanted something to relax me,” he said.

Walk-up songs are a tradition for the university’s baseball team. If players can’t come up with a song, a coach is willing to intervene.

Junior catcher Brent Weinzapfel was one who wasn’t sure which song to choose until he got the help from the Eagles coaching staff.

“The assistant coach gave it to me,” he said.

Weinzapfel’s walk-up song is commonly known reggae hit, “Mr. Boombastic” by Shaggy.

“I didn’t know what to have,” Weinzapfel said. “My coach surprised me.”

Each walk-up song is drastically different from the next, which shows how diverse each player is. These songs are strictly for the players to get into the zone, and also serve to remind them of their talent.

Coach Tracy Archuleta and his team continue their final home stand of the 2013 campaign with a four-game series against McKendree, beginning on Friday, before playing at the University of Evansville next Wednesday.

What they are listening to:

Brad Wannemeuhler – “E.I.” by Nelly

Reese Rounder – “Goodbye” by Wiz Khalifa

Brent Weinzapfel – “Mr. Boombastic” by Shaggy

Andrew Cope – “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” by Kanye West

Colton White – “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco

Kyle Kempf – “Rough Riders” by DMZ

AJ Dokey – “Danza Karudo” by Don Omar

Kyle Niemeier – “Beat It” by Michael Jackson

BJ Willis – “Self Made” by BJ Willis

Matt Bowles – “Welcome to the New Age” by Defiance