Thousands of screaming fans piled into Blair Field at Cal State-Long Beach yesterday afternoon to cheer on the Jonas Brothers and their softball team, the Road Dogs. The game was the last of a 12-game series to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving.
During opening ceremonies, Kevin Jonas explained to the anxious, young crowd that “It’s about being safe on the road and stopping something that is dangerous and completely unnecessary.”
For Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas, the focus of the day was blatantly clear — taking a break from a grueling tour schedule. The brothers designed a softball team whose main focus is to raise awareness to young teens about certain crucial issues in society. The effort to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving was reiterated yesterday as the brothers spoke openly about their foundation and urged fans to join the cause.
In doing so, the Jonas Brothers offered the audience the chance to pledge alongside them, as they were allowed to dip their thumbs in blue ink and then press their prints upon a large banner, acting as a sort of pact, and signaling that they are all in this fight together.
Despite expectation’s of a sold-out crowd, there were many empty seats. Yet, the atmosphere within the walls of Blair Field was thick with anticipation. Young fans decked out in Road Dogs paraphernalia held up posters and cheered as their favorite brother took the field.
Some held up signs that indicated they were visiting from out-of-state locations, such as Alaska.
The game itself, which lasted seven innings against the Marquis Jet Flyers, was off to a brutally slow start, with the Flyers scoring the first runs in the 4th inning.
The competition seemed to evolve into a steep one for the Road Dogs as the Flyers took a 5-0 lead over the next two innings. By the top of the 6th, however, the Road Dogs managed to turn it around, making an electrifying leap from three runs to nine, eventually scoring six more runs to win the game, 15-7.
With the win, the Road Dogs and Marquis Jet Flyers each had six wins under their belts. To determine a series champion, a home run derby was held, eventually leading to a victory for the Road Dogs.