When I found out intramural softball would be different this year, I asked myself, “how different could it be?”

The truth is it could be very different.

Under last year’s softball rules, there wasn’t much you could have been confused about. The rules were pretty much the same as baseball rules. There were a few differences like foul outs and no base stealing.

Under this year’s rules, each batter will get one pitch to hit. If the batter doesn’t put the ball in play, it counts as an out. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, NO WALKS!

Imagine Randy Johnson getting one pitch to strike you out. It doesn’t even have to be over the plate. He could plunk you to get you out.

Come on now. Do you think recreation center-recreational sports program director Kevin Linker didn’t think of that?

To ensure the batter sees a good pitch, the pitcher will be a player from his or her own team.

This one-pitch thing could be a good deal. I remember playing last year and when a team would get down, they would make the pitcher throw a strike. It may seem easy to pitch a 12-inch softball over the plate, but it’s not. Needless to say, there were some long innings to endure: walk, after walk after walk. UGH!!!

I could never really see the point in watching a 12-inch softball coming at you in slow motion. When I saw that pitcher release the thing, I was ready to swing.

Linker said he’s received more complaints about too many walks than he has about this year’s one pitch, 30 minute game limit rule.

However, Linker did say after about a week of games his phone will probably be ringing off the hook with complaints.

The reason Linker switched to the one pitch format is because the intramural fields are not done yet. Because the fields aren’t ready, there is less space for softball games than in years past. Even though there is less space to work with, the number of softball teams hasn’t decreased.

Linker said there are in the neighborhood of 75 teams competing this spring. Normally those teams would be spaced out through eight fields Monday through Thursday giving teams enough time to play whole games. This year the teams have to play on three fields in the same amount of time.

This isn’t the first intramural sport that has been affected by the field renovations. The intramural football season games were played on Sunday, instead of the usual Monday through Thursday.

I asked Linker if he considered playing the softball games on the weekends much like he did with football.

He said even if he did move softball games to weekends, the games would follow the one-pitch format.

Linker said he thinks if he did move the games to the weekends, there would be a lot more forfeits. Linker feels students have better things to do on the weekends.

I tend to agree with him.

To be honest with you, I think weekend softball might be kind of fun. Turn this 12-inch intramural league into Chicago style softball. Except, you know, with gloves, a 12-inch ball and no beer. Wait, nevermind.

Anyway, give this style of softball a chance before you go calling the recreation center saying you hate it. Also, think about next year.

The new intramural fields will be ready for next season, and as Linker said, “It’s not like it’s chain linked.”