Softball to take the field as the new varsity sport

The paperwork is done, the votes have been cast, and the verdict is in: Oberlin will have a varsity softball team come next spring.

Now all they need is a field.

Softball is the third largest Division III sport, and a strong component of the North Coast Athletic Conference. "It's really the growing sport of the conference," said Muska. The NCAC has five softball teams at present, but will add two more next season with Oberlin and the College of Wooster joining the ranks. The Admissions office has received applications from approximately 30 prospectives who expressed interest in playing softball. Said Muska, "The concept of finding people for the team is not a problem."

Several other key elements are already in place for the team's planned opening season next year. A club team which played this spring, guaranteed funding, the prospective first-year additions to the squad and two possible coaches all promise a strong beginning for the newest Yeowomen.

A few hurdles still remain before the team can take the field. "The biggest problem is going to be building a field," said Muska. The playing field will potentially be located east of the baseball diamond, just opposite the ground's facility, and will cost between $35,000 and $100,000 to build. Along with building costs, the athletic department will need to spend around $7,500 in startup fees and the program will cost $8,000 a year to run. Meanwhile, the Heisman Club already promised $50,000 for the team's startup, and has also received a $7,000 donation for a scoreboard.

The team ran into some minor trouble in the General Faculty whose vote was the last thing needed to pass the proposal. Professor of History Geoffrey Blodgett brought up Title IX, the 27-year-old provision that requires gender equality in collegiate athletics. He argued that softball should not be introduced in order to even out proportions within the athletic department. Currently, Oberlin has a 59 percent female enrollment and 41 percent male enrollment, but only 46 percent of participants in varsity sports are female..

Blodgett professed his support of the team, but questioned the motivation for introducing a new women's varsity sport. "Softball should be added on its merits, not on requirements," he said.

The proponents of the softball team indicated that interest for the sport warrants its addition to the athletic program. "We believe it is appropriate to expand the athletic opportunities open to women," said professor of history and chair of the athletic commitee Heather Hogan.

College president Nancy Dye explained that Title IX is not based upon proportionality. Dye said that Title IX dictates that the College provides opportunity to women athletes. Dye said, "We have not had difficulty meeting Title IX requirements."

Dean of the College Clayton Koppes noted that proportionality is more of a problem for larger institutions, and supported the introduction of the program. "The real reason for doing it is that we should expand the opportunities available."

After the discussion, the proposal passed without opposition. The club team practiced twice a week this past semester, awaiting their varsity funding and direction of a full-time coach. Muska said, "We have a group of women who are excited about this opportunity." Two coaches in the athletic department, the new women's soccer coach Jane Wildman and women's basketball intern Joanna Wells, already expressed interest in coaching the team. Wildeman has experience as a college softball coach and was brought on board with the understanding she would help build a softball program in future years.

Junior Jami Silver coordinated the team during the spring semester, Students could receive ExCo credit for participating. She said about 20 women have been coming to practice.

Silver also said that she is happy with the level of interest that students have expressed in the team and thinks it is a good sign for the future. She added that when the sport gains varsity status she expects even more interest. "There are a lot of athletes who aren't playing because it's not varsity," she said.

The team played two games against Lorain County Community College and one against College of Wooster this semester. All were losses, but team members were not disheartened. The atmosphere at Oberlin High School where the games were played was one of commroderie and good cheer.

One seemingly unrelated benefit of the new softball team will be the growth of the football program. Since the varsity programs already have greater male participation, the football team could not be expanded budgetarily without adding a new women's varsity program. "The argument for adding a women's varsity sport is also to allow football to grow," said Muska.

"I think it's very important to keep opening up opportunities for women to participate in athletics," Hogan said. "Clearly softball is an increasingly popular sport for high school women around the country."

Silver said it is a challenge to keep a balance between intensity and fun, but she's sure it will turn out well.

"I think it will just get better and better," Silver said.

The NCAC scheduler has already been contacted, and the Oberlin softball team will hopefully start competing next spring.

A taste of things to come: a potential future vasity athlete warms up with potential future teammates. (file photo)