“Play ball!” will be heard for the first time at the new Weatherford College Softball Complex Saturday, Jan. 28, as College and community officials, students and players gather to begin the inaugural season of intercollegiate softball at the 143-year-old institution.

“I know that our community is going to be proud of the state-of-the-art facility that we have built,” said Dr. Kevin Eaton, WC president. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to show off our new facility to the community. Our tradition of excellence will now include softball, and I am certain that our inaugural team will compete at a very high level, as all of our athletic programs have done.”

A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. in front of the complex. Game time is 1 p.m., started off with the National Anthem sung by local recording artist Katy Keenie. Keenie is a WC alumna and member of the 2000 Weatherford High School state championship softball team.

Located adjacent to WC’s Roger Williams Ballpark, the softball complex features covered stands with seat-backs for all fans. A new parking lot across College Park Drive should be complete in April to accommodate employee and student parking and the expected crowds for softball and baseball.

WC’s softball coach is Dottie Cupp, former pitching star from the University of Central Florida. Cupp comes with coaching experience from Towson University in the Baltimore area and Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Florida.

The entire community is invited to attend the Opening Day ceremonies and the first game, a doubleheader against Northeast Texas Community College. Admission for the first doubleheader is free. (Donations may be made to the Coyote Softball Booster Club at the gate.) WC will supply commemorative pennants, and Weatherford’s First Financial Bank will be giving complimentary softball T-shirts, both while supplies last.

 
While workers continue to put on the finishing touches, WC softball players are on the field, practicing for their Opening Day match against Northeast Texas Community College Jan. 28. The public is invited to come out and support the Lady Coyote Softball team in its inaugural game at 1 p.m.; admission is free.