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Show Thursday, July 10, 2008 Page 8 American fork Citizen The official call of the Owlz team f""'L"jhe summer evening sun casts a warm glow over the players play-ers at Brent Brown Ballpark. Orem Owlz second baseman Darwin Perez steps up to bat. J His shadow stretches almost all the way to the pitcher's mound. The small stadium is quiet for the brief moment mo-ment before the ball meets Perez's bat with a resounding crack. As the ball sails quietly toward the outfield and Perez sprints to first base, the ballpark is filled with the unmistakable, deafen-ingly deafen-ingly loud voice of Jim Maland and his signature celebration cry of "Hooooot! Hooooot!" Maland has been going to every home game the Owlz have played since before they were even called the Owlz. When he heard Provo was going to be starting up a Minor League team (the former Provo Angels) he vowed to make it out to every game to support his hometown. Maland admits he doesn't even really like baseball. He makes it a point to attend the games because he believes that people don't show enough pride in Utah County. And despite the fact that he doesn't like the sport, he is several hours early to each game so he can watch the team practice. "I am the unofficial voice of Hootz the Owl. I guess I am like an extra mascot mas-cot for the team," Maland said. In fact, this year the team gave him his season tickets for free as a token of the its appreciation ap-preciation for his support. They give him parking passes and let him into the games hours before the gates open. A lifelong resident of Provo, 61-year old Maland takes great pride in the fact that his only time away from home was the two years he was on his LDS mission mis-sion in Louisiana. He was a dedicated employee of the city of Provo until he was bit on the crown of his head by a black widow spider while working for the city's waste-water treatment plant. The bite affected his nervous system and forced Maland to retire early, but it provided him with the time needed be the Owlz's unofficial mascot. Maland's booming voice can be heard over the cheers, the announcer and the music even in the far corners of the park. "I thought it was quiet," Maland said. "I didn't know it was loud. I guess I have got a big mouth, so it just comes out, and underneath the awning the echoing makes it even louder." The hoots are as frequent as they are loud. Almost every play is cause for a robust double hoot when the Owlz hit the ball, when a player gains a base, when a player catches a ball and gets an out and when the Owlz's pitcher throws a strike. "It is funny listening on the radio and you hear it every pitch just as loud as you hear it at the game," says Mike Clark, a local fan who frequents the games. "I'll be honest, it annoys me. It is very annoying." Maland acknowledges that some people are annoyed by his incessant hooting. But he is certain that those -!', . ft--- i i r 1 j .., !!' Photos by CRAIG DILGERDaily Herald Dedicated Orem Owlz fan Jim Maland watches batting practice before a game against the Idaho Falls Chukars on July 2. BELOW: Maland hoots in celebration of a play. BELOW: Maland hoots in celebration of a play. who appreciate his fanaticism outweigh those who hate it. On several occasions people have even approached him and asked him to stop or at least quiet down a bit. Maland simply referred the naysayers to the management agreeing that if the team asked him to stop he gladly would. Unfortunately for those who like to enjoy their baseball in peace and quiet, Owlz management considers Maland one of the team's greatest promotional assets. "I love the fact that we have something some-thing unique and something that people expect when they come to the ballpark," ball-park," said Owlz general manager Aaron Aar-on Wells. "He has become sort of a fan favorite. He is as much a part of the ballpark as the things we serve at the concession stands. He is what people expect. When he hoots you'll hear the fans hooting after him, he kind of leads the crowd in cheers. He is without question ques-tion the first and foremost staple of our crowd and our event here." c " v . i. ' . A it ' ' tv V 's J r ( f hirrnTTTrorrrri hi xv mm I - Save Hundreds of Dollars on a Nam Central R.C. System 6 months No InterestNo Payment Financing Available ui. Call Today For A FreeNo Cost Estimate :i HARVIY HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING www.harveyheatinqandair.com 489-7088 P orem pleasant grove alpine uwn a smaii Dusmess Keady to start lr-m one? Discover whv so manv Utah Cm mtv V V Ld 1 1 businesses use Western Community Bank. OTTl 1X11111 ltV With every capability you need, we stand T) 1 ' ready to serve. Call 222-9006 .DclIlK. Life's needs. Life's bank. W tH (COMMUNITY tN. COM f .4. 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