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Unfortunately, they were told that their softball field is going to be converted into a baseball field so both, softball and baseball, can use it.

“I think it’s unfair because Coach Bubba has had that field for years! It’s a real disadvantage to the softball team,” said JV player Rebecca Trijillo.

Lately, the boys have been trying to find places to practice, like on open fields.

“I think it’s a good thing because we get a place to practice,” said baseball player Johnny Roman.

Most of the girls are upset about this change. This will affect how they play because a softball field has many differences compared to a baseball field.

“I am changing the softball field so it could be a multipurpose field,” said Granite Hills High School athletic director Gary Stoddard.

A softball field has an infield made up of all dirt, and the pitcher’s mound is on flat ground. The distance from the pitcher’s plate to the home base is around 43 feet. In baseball the pitcher pitches from about 60 feet, with a raised slope. The infield for baseball is made up of grass, except for the lines connecting the bases.

Softball players are not used to the raised mound in the middle, so if they happen to dive for a ball or catch a pop fly, they are at risk of getting hurt. Baseball players can play with or without a raised mound.

Of course the baseball players are excited to get a field on which they can call their “home.” However the softball players throw their hands in the air, claiming that this was their field first.

“I strongly disagree with the decision to convert the field; I was not asked! I believe it is a big safety hazard to my girls when they have certain plays then to have to worry about a mound behind you that you can trip over. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy that we have enough boys to field a freshman team. But in two years it won’t even matter because the school will be changing to a different league where most of the schools don’t have a freshman team and the damage will already be done to my field. Who will it fall upon then to put the field back to the way it was, and how much more will it cost the district to do?,” said head coach for JV, Bubba Hernandez.

Photo of the changes that currently taking place on the softball field. Photo taken by Taylor Means