Rowdy fans try to out-heckle fellow bleacher bums

When Tom Lloyd heckles, he rhymes.

"Hey batta, batta, batta, yo momma's getting fatta, fatta, fatta!" he yelled at a crowd Wednesday night.

Lloyd, who was in town from Cincinnati on a business trip, was announced the best heckler in the "Heckle-A-Batta" contest at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub in Arlington Heights. The contest was sponsored by the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights in honor of their current "Bleacher Bums" show, which runs through early September and pokes fun at the rivalry between the Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lloyd said he's been a Cubs fan for years and loves heckling.

"I always yell at whoever's at the plate," he said, "and I figured if something rhymed, it would come across better."

About 50 people watched Lloyd and seven other contestants yell at imaginary batters, pitchers and, worst of all, Cardinals fans.

One such Cardinals fan was Joel Friend, the theater's emcee for the evening, who constantly reminded the Cubs-loving audience members how many World Series championships the Cardinals have won.

Brad Dunn, the theater's marketing manager and one of the judges, said he was especially impressed with Lloyd's spirit and enthusiasm because he had not planned on participating in the contest before entering the bar.

Lisa Rock, a casting associate with the theater and one of the judges, pregnant with her first child, said she also loved Lloyd's performance.

"The baby actually kicked," she said.

Lloyd's grand prize was a one-time role in a performance of "Bleacher Bums," tickets to the show, an overnight stay at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington Heights and a case of beer. Three runners-up won beer and tickets to the show.

Judges rated contestants on their appearance, attitude and heckling abilities.

"I was surprised that there wasn't as much preparation, but there was a whole lot of spirit and energy," Dunn said of the contestants. "Most of these people are not actors, so it's just them getting up there and giving it everything they've got."

Only one heckler, Amy Ondracek of Chicago, wore Cubs gear, but each contestant had a unique style and spirit. Some yelled at Cardinals fans and others at Cubs players.

Eva Randazzo of Des Plaines, who finished second in the contest, chanted "Hey batta, batta, batta, come on, batta, batta, batta!" But her unique performance came in the form of shaking her body and raising her hands in the air.

"I think it takes a lot of courage to get up and do anything in front of anyone," said Craig Dingle, one of the judges and an actor in "Bleacher Bums."

"Bleacher Bums" runs Thursdays through Saturdays from now until Sept. 6 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets are $27 and can be purchased at the box office at metropolisarts.com or (847) 577-2121. The show is not recommended for children or young teens.

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