Tough keeping up with 59ers’ Bridgeman

Updated: June 10, 2011 8:39PM

A couple of umpires have raised an eyebrow or looked puzzled after hearing Andrean softball coach Henry Ryan mention her name.

Other times, an opposing fan or player has wondered out loud what in the world is Ryan talking about.

There’s definitely been some interesting looks and smiles.

“Sometimes they look at us like we’re crazy,’’ Ryan laughed.

The subject surrounding all the bewilderment and confusion won’t be found within 500 miles of a softball diamond in Northwest Indiana — unless, of course, Kim Kardashian happens to be touring the Midwest or on another photo shoot.

The possibility exists, though, that any time Andrean’s Meghan Bridgeman is about to step into the batter’s box, Ryan might just say: ‘OK, Miss Kardashian, you’ve got this.’ ”

While the 59ers’ senior first baseman isn’t an exact double for the reality TV star, she definitely bears some resemblance.

You see, “Miss Kardashian” is one of Bridgeman’s nicknames — though it’s definitely used a lot less than her long-standing nickname of “Bridge.”

In fact, Ryan claims he began calling Bridgeman “Miss Kardashian” during last winter’s offseason conditioning program.

“When our kids are batting, my job is to relax them,’’ he said. “My instant way to relax Meg, is to call her ‘Miss Kardashian.’

“Relaxing her might be making sure she’s been combing her hair and has her make-up on. Then I’ll tell her: ‘Miss Kardashian, you’re looking good.’ She usually laughs or smiles.’’

Bridgeman doesn’t mind. In fact, she gets a kick out of it.

“It’s funny, because it’s not really just (coach Ryan),’’ said Bridgeman, who leads Andrean (25-8) into today’s Class 3A state championship game against Indianapolis Roncalli (27-7) at Ben Davis High School (3:30 p.m., central time).

“I have three sisters, and we all have the long, dark, brown hair, get tanned and wear make-up.’’

Bridgeman said the nickname “Miss Kardashian” even makes the rounds in the school hallways as kids sometimes jokingly mock the reality show “Keeping up with the Kardashians.”

“There are students at school who say: ‘Keeping up with the Bridgemans.’ The way we act, we joke around with it. I don’t take it personally, but I’m definitely a girly-girl. I’m one who definitely takes my style out on the field. I always have to have my gaudy sun glasses — and they’re not your average softball Oakleys, either.’’

While Bridgeman enjoys dressing up — “It takes me five minutes to take off all my necklaces and rings when I’m off the field,’’ she claims — she just might be the best fielding first baseman in the area, maybe even the state.

“I don’t mind getting down and dirty,’’ Bridgeman said. “I’m not afraid of getting hurt, or anything. I can play rough, if I need to.’’

At least once a game, or so, Bridgeman will dig balls out of the dirt — saving a teammate from making an error. She has no problem doing the splits while stretching to scoop up a ball.

“You’ll hear a lot of oohs and aahs after that,’’ she laughed. “Sometimes someone will ask me: ‘How did you do that?’ They’ll even ask me if I’m a gymnast. I’m tall and I’m really flexible. I’m not letting anything get past me. I love playing first base. It’s definitely a fun position.’’

Ryan said he wouldn’t trade Bridgeman’s glove — she hasn’t made an error all season — for anything.

“In my opinion, she’s kind of like a Hoover vacuum cleaner,’’ he said. “If you get it close, it’s gone — it’s sucked-up in there. I haven’t seen a better defensive first baseman all season — at any level.’’

Bridgeman has struggled a little bit at the plate this season, but has still come up with some big hits.

She drove in the 59ers’ only run in a 1-0 win over Calumet in the opening round of the Class 3A Griffith Sectional. Then, at the Twin Lakes Semistate, she ripped a run-scoring double during a five-run rally in a 5-3 comeback semifinal win over Columbia City.

“She’s had some big-time hits in some big-time games for us,’’ Ryan said. “The key for her is to let the ball get in deep and then let her extend those arms and get through it, because when she does that, she can hit the ball with anybody.’’

Bridgeman is hitting .250, but has driven in 17 runs and scored 15 times, with six doubles and a home run.

“I know I have to come through with my hitting and defense (today),’’ she said.

“Being a captain means a lot to me. I watched the leadership of players like Audrey Bickel, Sam Serrato and Alyssa Moseley, and I learned a lot from them. I’m definitely a loud mouth. I’m always trying to get everyone pumped up. I scream and shout. It means a lot to have the younger girls look up to me. You just have to be a good role model.’’

Bridgeman would like nothing better than to finish her high school career in style.

“I think we have to go into this final game and just be ready for it,’’ she said. “We all need to do our own jobs and play as a team. I know when we’re all on our ‘A’ game, we’re unbeatable. We’re definitely a close team. We all get along really well and have a great relationship. I think it would be great if we won. That would be awesome. I know we can do it. We just need to relax and play like we can play.

“It’s exciting. It’s the biggest game. It’s awesome to know we’ve made it to the final. It feels good to go back (Bridgeman was a sophomore in 2009 when the 59ers lost to New Palestine, 10-0) but this time I want to make sure we bring home the blue (ring).’’

After all, that blue ring would undoubtedly go well with a lot of clothes in “Miss Kardashian’s” wardrobe.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.