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coczoXmr-2OmOzWendy Balestrieri of Billerica, top, and Paul White, also of Billerica, cheer on the players at Lampson Field.Extremematch with WAAFExtreme shows hard-rock band can play softballBy JOHN COLLING ESun StaffBILLERICA — The scene on and around Lampson Field yesterday had all the trappings of a rock concert: hordes of screeching teens decked out in heavy metal garb, a traffic jam, limousines, and police security.RELATED STQRY/9Some world-famous rock stars were on hand as well, but not to play in the fashion that earned their fame and fortune.The guys from the Boston hard-rock group Extreme exchanged their instruments for bats and gloves in a promotional softball duel with WAAF-FM radio disc jockeys. The loosely played game elicitedttt 11 » m h«m ■—mi' •■now— m* —— —------ —------- —-------- -------- -------- ........ —......- - -..... - . ----- --------------- - -choruses of shrieks and cheers from an estimated 3,000 fans, who could have cared less about their musical idols’ athletic talents.These days, Extreme is an extremely hot property. A No. 1 hit single, “More Than Words, recently propelled their second album, Extreme II Pornograffiti, to sales exceeding two million units.The band tours constantly, and opened for David Lee Roth before 12,000 appreciative hometown fans Sunday night at Great Woods.“This is the most fun we’ve ever had. Between yesterday and today, it’s the best,’’ said guitarist-vocalist Nuno Bettencourt, a Hudson native who held his own at shortstop while admitting I haven’t played softball in about six years“I used to be a jock in high school, though,” he said.Fans arrived at the field as early as 9 a.m. for the 2 p.m. game, hoping for autographs or at least an up-close view of the suddenly famous rockers.Among them was 16-year-old Mary Libbey, who drove in with three friends from Worcester.“Extreme is different (from other bands). Everybody else is cliched,” she said, “but when you go to an Extreme show, the energy is fresh. They’re so original.”The game was a dream come true for lead vocalist Gary Cherone, who co-wrote and co-sings 'More Than Words” with Bettencourt. Cherone, an avowed sports nut who sported a pair of bright green shorts with the Boston Celtics logo, said he is a true athletic exhibitionist.Please see EXTREME/7
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