After a long and freezing winter, spring is finally in full swing at Brookfield Central! Spring sports are back, including Track & Field, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Lacrosse, and Baseball. A particularly great spring sport to watch on a warm and sunny day is softball. While sharing many similarities with baseball, there are a few key differences to note that might help with understanding what’s happening during a game.

The baseball field and softball field at BC are right next to each other, and it’s quite easy to spot a size difference. The softball field has bases that are sixty feet apart while the baseball field has bases ninety feet apart. Depending on the type of play (fastpitch or slow-pitch), the fences are normally between 190 and 230 feet away. Softball pitchers throw from around forty-three feet from home plate, while baseball pitchers throw from sixty-and-a-half feet away. Softball pitchers also stand on a flat rubber, while baseball pitchers stand on a raised mound.

The difference in pitching plays a huge role in the excitement of watching softball, as being pitching from so close makes the batter more reliant on reaction time and increases the general pace of the game. Softball pitchers also utilize a windmill technique, which is when they throw  the ball using an underhand motion with a circular rotation of their arm; this allows for a greater generation of power.

When you’re watching a BC softball game, it might also be helpful to understand the scoring. A team scores a point when a batter or a baserunner runs first, second, third, and home plate in order without being tagged. The scores add up over seven innings, and the team with the most points is the winner. While high school baseball typically has seven innings as well, a normal professional game will have nine innings. The difference in number of innings also contributes to softball being known as a bit more fast-pace.

Two seniors, Shar Fernando and Lexi Eichhorn, are already committed to continue playing softball at the collegiate level. With a mix of players from different grades and talents, this season is sure to be filled with exciting match-ups. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather to go out and support the softball team!