Alabama Softball Families Ready for Action in Oklahoma City

Tailgating for players' families brings them together for food, fun and softball camaraderie.

OKLAHOMA CITY — If you are a fan of Alabama softball and a regular at home games, you’ve probably seen them in the parking lot.

Families of Crimson Tide players set up camp for every home series and have food, fun and good times before the game.

They also tailgate before the big moments: SEC Tournament, regionals, super regionals, and of course the Women’s College World Series.

Alabama opens play at the WCWS against Tennessee on Thursday at 11 a.m.

These little get-togethers were started in the WCWS in 2021 by Brandy and Johnny Rhodes.

“Emily Pitek is the inspiration behind this,” Rhodes said of Pitek, a former UA soccer player and Crimson Tide softball super fan. “She came to me when we were coming here (in 2021) and she asked if I’d like to throw a tailgate. I said absolutely. Everybody kept saying we need to do this at home. We do it the whole weekend when we have a home game. We have a passion for it.”

Johnny and Brandy Rhodes

Not everyone thought Alabama would have a long postseason, much less make it here in OKC this week. But the Crimson Tide is here, much to the delight of Stephanie Williams, mother of All-American pitcher Montana Fouts.

“This is what they have trained for since they were little,” Williams said. “This is their dream. To be here is magical, especially for my daughter who is a senior, and to be able to bring the other seniors who have never been here at OKC is wonderful.”

Shawn and Crystal Heivilin made the trip to watch their daughter, second baseman Kali Heivilin.

“Since my daughter was 10 years old it’s been a dream to get here. It’s unreal,” said Shawn Heivilin.

Kali Heivilin was instrumental in helping the Crimson Tide get to OKC by her defensive play in Game 3 of the super regional against Northwestern.

“It’s a blessing to be here,” Crystal Heivilin said. “Kali has worked hard to get here and we are grateful to be a part of it.”

The Heivilin family are in OKC to cheer on Kali this week. From left, brother Jalen, father Shawn and mother Crystal

One family member couldn’t make the trip. Emma Broadfoot’s brother Jackson attended every game this season but his responsibilities for medical school at UAB took priority this week.

“He was so disappointed because he knew he wasn’t going to be able to come see his sister,” said Celeste Alba, Broadfoot’s aunt. “So, I did the next best thing; I made a cutout of him to hold up during the game.”

See Also

Little Lapses Lead to Big Loss for Alabama Softball in WCWS Opener

WCWS Notebook: Tennessee Continues Two-Out Dominance in Win Against Alabama

Everything Alabama Softball Said After Losing to Tennessee in WCWS