Meet Arkansas softball’s Hog Core Candy Man
Okay, it’s time to practice. Raise your arms and wiggle your fingers while yelling, “Wooo!” Then bring both arms down with a clenched fist while yelling, “Pig!” Lastly, extend your right arm with a ‘Sooie!” Repeat this two more times and after the last round finish with a “Razorbacks!”
For those heading to Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this weekend the above tradition is what the folks there call calling in the hogs. If you need any help perfecting it, the guy who throws candy immediate following the Hog Call can help.
He is known as the “Candy Man” around the ballpark and it’s because he throws out lollipops and bubblegum after strikeouts (pitching) and hits.
“The kids love him, they swarm him and want to sit by him because he will throw out the candy,” said Moll’s wife Katie. “The gum is for hits and suckers for strikeouts.”
The best part about the popularity of the “Candy Man” is that he doesn’t live in Arkansas. Tony and Katie are the parents of senior pitcher Grace Moll and travel to almost every game from Illinois.
“This year being the senior year, we aren’t going to miss a weekend series,” said Tony while being interviewed in Lexington, Kentucky. “We try to go every weekend we can.”
Passing out candy and attending every game isn’t something that started this season. It has been going on for the past three years, through all of the struggles and sub-.500 seasons.
“You could see the change coming last year. Our record really didn’t reflect changes happening on and off the field,” said Tony. “I give a lot of credit to the girls but the coaching staff has really brought them together and they are respected by the girls. I think that’s one of the things that make the difference. The coaches respect the girls and the girls respect the coaches. There’s only so many ways to play this game and the mental part of it is a huge change.”
Two weekends ago, Bogle Park set a new attendance record of 1,544 against the Tennessee Vols. The previous record was set on April 20, 2016, against Oklahoma.
“There were actually people walking in and asking if seats were taken,” said Tony. “That hasn’t happened before.”
With the No. 2 Florida Gators coming to town this weekend, there are a couple of things to keep in mind for new and/or visiting fans.
“Saturday morning, Farmer’s Market, downtown Fayetteville. You got to go,” said Tony. “They’ve got everything from fresh vegetable, flowers, jams, this, that and the other things. It’s fun to go and great atmosphere.”
The Catfish Hole, The Green Submarine, and Whole Hog Café are three places that are highly recommended. So whether you’re a local fan, new fan or Gator fan enjoy the weekend at Bogle Park and look for the candy man.
