The crack of the bat is not the first sound fans hear – it’s the music. For many players, their walk-up song showcases their personality and puts them in the right mindset. In baseball, walk up songs are short clips of music that play over the stadium speakers when a player walks from the on-deck circle to the home plate. Ranging from hip-hop to country, every baseball player has their own story behind their song.  

“My walk-up song is Heartache Medication by Jon Pardi,” Junior Kian Kelly exclaimed. “It helps me because it just keeps me in a good headspace, keeps me calm, and ready to go.” 

“Heartache Medication” captures a classic country feel with a modern twist. It provides people with the feeling that everything will be okay. The song’s laid-back vibe relates to Kelly’s game style, helping him lock in and stay calm as he steps into the batter’s box. However, on the flipside, some players prefer to get hype and energetic. 

“My walk-up song is Who Am I by Snoop Dogg,” Junior Parker Osteen states. “It gets me hype and ready to go in the box and kind of a party-feel for me. It just gets me excited and ready to go.”  

Snoop Dogg’s “Who Am I” is a 1990’s classic, showcasing west-coast hip hop with a confident tone and funky beat. As Osteen walks up to the plate, he feels confident and ready to perform well. His song doesn’t only hype himself up, it also energizes his teammates too.  

Whether it’s a mellow country tune or a throwback rap anthem, walk-up songs do more than entertain, they define the moment, the mindset, and the player.