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Fans enjoy a different brand of football photo by Drew Fleming By Tim Trower It was a night of firsts, and you probably already know about some of them. Like, first game ever in the National Indoor Football League, when the Yakima Shockwave visited the Southern Oregon Heat Wednesday at the Jackson County Expo Park. First league win, that to the Shockwave, 27-21. First touchdown, that to Yakima�s Keith Evans on a pass from Jeff Thomas. You get the picture. But there were some other firsts on this night that, judging by the large crowd, the raucous good time and the respectable level of play, had to be considered a success. Oh, there were some opening day glitches. Seating platforms were still being forklifted into place as kickoff neared, but that�s the nature of the indoor game. These arenas are built in a day . And some fans had trouble finding seats on the floor because imported chairs weren�t numbered. But the confusion was resolved with a minimal fuss. "If this is the biggest problem we have," said Mike Laffey, an NIFL official, "then we�re doing pretty good." In truth, there weren�t too many problems beyond those. And the upbeat music that blared constantly and the showy pregame introductions, with spotlights and fireworks, helped create a festive atmosphere. But back to some firsts. Such as, the first fan to snag a ball that left the playing area. That was Randy Weaver of Medford. "The ref wanted it," said Weaver, who was ready when a pass slipped through a receiver�s hands and into his. "But I wasn�t going to give it back to him." He didn�t have to. It was his to keep. As Weaver spoke, a mass of players crashed into the dasher boards that surround the artificial playing surface. "Man," he said, "you�ve got to be on your toes here." Another first belonged to April Pruitt, who lives in Eagle Point and was at the game with her sister, Sabrina Lyons, and nephew, Jonathan Lyons, 6. Pruitt got the first player in her lap when Will Postell of Yakima made an unscheduled landing. "You mean first beer in my lap," she laughed. Pruitt and the Lyons have ties to Seattle and have attended a lot of Seahawks games dating to 1976. "It�s great that they have football here now," said Pruitt, adding that they got front-row seats because they "wanted excitement." There was no shortage of football or excitement. On the first play from scrimmage, Southern Oregon running back Gary Clemens was crushed against the boards in front of public address announcer Garth Harrington. "And there go the statistics for the first quarter," Harrington bellowed. Not long after, the first real dasher board collision in front of fans. "Ladies and gentlemen," said Harrington, "you�ve just seen what happens in arena football, so you folks in the first three rows stay loose." No one had to be told twice. "I think it�s pretty cool to bring something like this to Medford," said Donnie Satterly of White City. "We don�t have much else." His sentiments were echoed by a fan named Tom as he hurried out at the game�s conclusion. "It�s great," said Tom. "This is what we needed. Absolutely. We lost our baseball team. I think it�ll be even better next time. It�s great for the fans." Many fans seemed to enjoy the interaction with the players. There was no shortage of strutting and taunting by those on the field and no shortage of reaction from the stands. "There probably needs to be a little more discipline," said Jim Leavens of Medford. Asked if he meant on or off the field, he laughed, "Both." Jim Mead of Eagle Point said the play exceeded his expectations. "This kind of action is what sells," he said. "This is what they need. There�s enough talent out here, enough athletes. It�s a lot faster than I thought it would be." Ashland�s Ann Hettwer concurred. "It�s my first time to even witness this game," she said. "It�s quite exciting." Another first, but not a last. Asked if she�d return, Hettwer was quick to answer. "Oh yes!" Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.