Why Oklahoma is 'unapologetically' themselves: 'Why can't we have emotion?'

OKLAHOMA CITY – When Alyssa Brito or Jayda Coleman earn a walk, it might be confusing for someone unfamiliar with Oklahoma softball. 

They slam their bats, turn to the Sooner dugout and throw their arms in the air, igniting their team and fans. And it’s not just Brito and Coleman – though, they are the most fiery of the group – but the entire Oklahoma team. 

“Walks are so important,” said Brito, now in her second season at OU. “That’s something that we stress, especially as an offense, of how getting runners on is runs. So to us, we’re going to celebrate it, and we’re going to celebrate it really hard. And it’s just as good as getting a base hit in my eyes. When I bring energy like that, I think we all feel it.”

But for Oklahoma, it’s not just when it gets walks. The Sooners play with maybe more visible passion than any other team in the country. And they’re not sorry about it – even if those on the outside aren’t fans of their attitude. 

“One thing I’ve told these guys is always — you must be unapologetic about the energy and the celebrations that you have,” coach Patty Gasso said. “Because women have worked so hard to get here yet still get judged for those things. That’s the way we play, and that’s what people enjoy. Or you don’t. You either like it or you don’t. But we’re not going to apologize for these players knowing the game and celebrating it the right way.”

Oklahoma has received criticism for its celebrations on social media. Though, it’s mostly from fans of other teams that have either never seen them play or lost to Oklahoma. 

And it’s not about the other team, according to shortstop and team captain Grace Lyons. Instead, it’s to celebrate the little things in a sport that is more difficult than it appears. 

“We never mean it disrespectfully or against anyone else,” Lyons said. “It’s in our circle. So what we do is to bring passion to our own circle, and it’s never against anyone else. So I just want to say that. That’s not how we play. People may take it that way, but it’s all for our own joy and passion. Never to tear down anyone else.”

But this argument goes further than just Oklahoma. Softball has become one of the more passionate sports in the country. From chanting in the dugout to home run celebrations to even the occasional walk, these women aren’t afraid to show emotion. 

“I think we continuously in softball are just breaking barriers. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Coleman said. “I feel like it’s just very disappointing to see people trying to tear us down in that type of way. Maybe not tearing us down. But kind of making it into a negative light when you’re seeing the MLB players doing the exact same thing. The NBA or the NFL throwing their helmets or having emotion. Why can’t we have emotion? We’re at the same stake as them? We’re athletes just like them. Why can we not wear our emotions on our sleeves? I just think that’s kind of disappointing.” 

So don’t expect Coleman, Brito, or any of the Sooners to change this week against Florida State in the championship series of the Women’s College World Series. They’re unapologetically themselves.

And they hope someday this will no longer be a topic of discussion. 

“I try to stay off of social media because that would fire me up and make me just want to do it even more, to be honest,” Coleman said. “No, it really disappoints me on the double standard and just seeing how male athletes slide with things and how female athletes don’t. Hopefully, that stuff will change very soon.”