Cheering for Vols baseball from home? How to host the best watch party
As Tennessee baseball heads to Omaha for the 2023 College World Series, plenty of loyal Vols will be following every play from afar, watching the games starting June 17.
If you're hosting a watch party at your home for fellow University of Tennessee baseball fans, you'll want to hit a home run (you might say) in terms of refreshments, comfort and team spirit to everyone cheering the team on from the comfort of your living room, right?
Former Knox News staffer and expert hostess Ruth White offered these tips for a Vols watch party back in 2019 - and they'll work just as well today!
Get comfy
Make sure you have enough space to comfortably fit the guests invited. My living room will easily seat 10-12 people without piling on the floor, the dining area has seating for six and the kitchen table adds an additional four seats for guests. I have had up to 40 people in my home for a party, but wouldn't suggest that many to watch a game. Twenty would be my max of guests invited, keeping in mind that everyone probably wouldn't attend.
If available, set up an additional television in the food area for guests to keep up with the game while they fill plates. This also gives the not-so-diehard fans a place to eat and socialize while not missing out on the action.
Play it safe and move any breakable/valuable items out of the way prior to game time.
What’s on the menu?
Foods that require few or no utensils to eat are always a smart choice. Party pleasers include barbecue wings; pretzel nuggets and cheese; chips and salsa; BBQ chicken dip; meatballs; sliders and a chili dog station. Make sure you have chili dog staples on hand, such as a pot of steaming chili, mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, jalapeno peppers and shredded cheese. Paper trays are perfect to catch the extra chili from the chili dogs and help prevent a mess. Don't forget to have forks close at hand!
A tub of hummus with pita chips, vegetable tray and potato skins with cheese, sour cream and chives offer some meatless options.
Time to eat!
A food station on a kitchen island is an ideal spot for people who love to graze. Smaller stations set up on counter tops or portable bar tables help the flow of guests move smoothly. Limited space? Use a bar cart to hold paper products and drinks or desserts to keep within reach.
Don't be surprised to find bowls of orange cheese puffs or a basket of orange polka dot paper sacks filled with popcorn mixed in with the platters of food or a tub filled with glass bottles of Orange Crush soda tucked away in a corner for color.
Save room for dessert
Two-bite sweets are perfect for grabbing between innings. Party favorites include brownies, cream puffs (from the grocer’s freezer section) and a variety of cookies. Add to the spirit of the game with Big Orange-decorated sugar cookies with sayings such as "Go Big Orange" or "Vols." Don't forget to include a bowl of fresh, cut-up fruit for a healthy option. Small orange paper cups are perfect for filling with fruit or nuts.
Tie it all together
I have a closet full of paper products (cups, napkins, paper straws) in bright orange for just such an occasion. A recent purchase of plastic orange cups and gingham napkins with "Go Vols" on them and koozies with "Rocky Top Ya'll" help crank up the Vol spirit.
Orange candy slices in a dish, chips in bright orange bowls, serving trays with "Go Big Orange" on them and little extras such as a small vase of colorful flowers and framed photos featuring my favorite Vol fans add a nice touch. These little extra touches won’t go unnoticed.
The kitchen table features a gray gingham tablecloth and adds a soft, homey touch to the room. The gingham is reminiscent of the orange and white checkerboard used so often by the Vols and ties in the steel two-tier tray that serves as a centerpiece year-round.
Sure, it's a little more work than opening a couple of bags of chips, ordering pizza and popping the top on a cold one, but anything worth doing is worth doing well.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Cheering for Vols baseball from home? How to host the best watch party
