Dartmouth undergraduates who signed up for intramural softball this spring may be disappointed to learn that they won't be walking onto carefully-shaped pitcher's mounds or manicured outfields this year.
The College turned over the former softball fields to the town of Hanover to build a new middle school, and intramural softball participants have since been forced to play on grass fields.
This decision has affected a large group of students on campus -- softball is one of Dartmouth's most popular intramural sports, with 12 different leagues and almost 80 teams playing in total. One umpire estimated that upwards of 1,000 students will participate this season.
Intramural league officials criticized College administrators for allegedly giving away the fields without previously notifying the athletic department or finding alternative diamonds for teams to play on.
"I think it's ridiculous, and it just emphasizes the gap between the students and administration at this school," intramural student assistant Jenna Pelletier '06 said. "[The decision] doesn't surprise me after the swim team fiasco."
Head of intramural sports Stephen Erickson was unavailable for comment on Monday.
Intramural teams are now playing on two grass fields located across the street from the Dartmouth golf course.
The main problem with the transition to this area, softball officials said, is that the grass fields do not hold water well. The fields become muddy and slippery when it rains, limiting traction and increasing the number of falls. In inclement weather, the grass fields also create long game delays.
The circumstances reportedly create frustration for many intramural athletes because the style of play is seriously altered.
"It makes the game a whole lot different to be on the grass fields," former Intramural Student Assistant Andrea Shute '05 said. "It's not as official."
Danny Hubert '07 captains a co-ed team in the B-division.
"The ball goes a lot slower in grass and it can take some bad hops," he said. "It's easier to dive but I'm sure by the end of the season it's going to be torn up and a disaster."
While some players are frustrated, others are taking the decision in stride.
Shute voiced this sentiment, noting, "It's still nice to have somewhere to play."
Weather permitting, intramural softball participants will still be able to fully enjoy the season, despite the grass fields. However, April showers may lead to greater frustration and disappointment for the large number of students involved the popular sport.
A 2002 vote by Dresden school district residents approved plans to move the Richmond Middle School and Hanover High School campuses to a 61-acre plot of land previously owned by Dartmouth.
