Other nicknames reveal character--of a sort.

Jane McHugh has earned the tag "Tact and Decorum", or "T&D" for short. "Jane has a habit of saying exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time--in a cute way," Wilson explains.

Cunningham is fondly called "Joan of Arc" by her teammates, because of her habit of leading them in large arcs around the outfield when the squad runs between the foul lines to warm up.

"Joan doesn't run straight lines," freshman Callie Huber says. "You know how Joan of Arc was a martyr--that's what she makes me think of."

Center fielder Hanya Bluestone is called "Bad Ass". "She is fearless. She just wants to have fun, and she has no inhibitions," Paul says.

From Bluestone's nickname sprang another term of endearment.

Shortstop Sharon Hayes heard people calling Bluestone "Bad A" one day, and was confused She didn't know if they were saying Betty, Benny, or Penny.

In retaliation, in squad began to call Hayes "Betty".

Furthermore, the top four hitters in the lineup--Bluestone, Mary Baldauf, Gia Barresi and Trisha Brown--are known as the Killer B's.

Hayes bats fifth in the lineup, and one day Coach John Wentzell complained that her last name didn't begin with a B as well, to fit into the pattern.

Since then, it's been "Betty Bayes".

Some nicknames reflect playing style, as in the case of aggressive "Pigpen" Baldauf.

"She's always in the dirt," Huber says. "Even on a dry day, she can find places to get dirty."

"We've called Mary Baldauf every name in the book at one time or another, mostly having to do with the fact that she was filthy," Cunningham adds.

Sometimes the players look to ethnic association for inspiration in name-giving.