California softball crowd sings national anthem after announcers refuse to play it

An effort to shut down the national anthem before a high school softball game fell flat — because the crowd sang it instead.

Hundreds of fans booed and then broke into a chorus of “The Star-Spangled Banner” after announcers said there would be no playing of the national anthem Friday at the state Central Section division I softball championship in Clovis, California.

A video posted by the Fresno Bee’s Anthony Galaviz showed fans standing at attention and singing with no accompaniment, making up for any lack of musical talent by pouring on the volume.

They announced there’d be no national anthem before championship. The crowd did this https://t.co/jDd9dHa9br

— Anthony Galaviz (@agalaviz_TheBee) May 27, 2018

“Many removed their hats and placed their hands over their hearts,” the Bee reported. “Others simply stood tall with pride.”

Bob Kayajanian, the event coordinator, blamed the situation on a mix-up, saying the anthem is normally played only before the first game of the session but that from now on, “we’re playing the national anthem at every game.”

Tiffany Marquez, who posted video of the crowd singing on Facebook, said she was stunned after hearing there would be no anthem.

“Honestly, I was shocked [when] the announcer stated, ’There will be no anthem, let’s just play softball,’” Ms. Marquez said. “Within seconds, you could hear people in the crowd singing and the volume of their voices building. There I was, standing in the middle of a true testament to unity and patriotism.”

In a Saturday op-ed for the Bee, David White said, “Oh say, can’t you see? The national anthem and the flag it adores still matter to a whole lot of people, and they take it personal when anyone comes between them and the star-kissed stripes.”

The NFL announced last week that it would require players on the field to stand and show respect during the national anthem, while those who object to doing so may remain in the locker room.

“The NFL gets it, which is why it is now telling players to stand for the anthem or keep it in the locker room,” Mr. White said. “The NBA understands, which is why its stand-or-else mandate is the toughest in pro sports.”

The Clovis High School softball team won its second straight championship, defeating Buchanan High School by a score of 6-3.