Arena Softball

Found this story at Postbulletin.com.

Everyone contributes in Arena Softball

Steve Gage has been playing softball for 12 years, averaging about three times a week.
He's an enthusiast. "Obviously, playing softball is something I really enjoy," he said.
Now, he's expanding his schedule. He may even play 12 months a year.

Yeh, right, in Rochester? In January? This is Minnesota, right?
No, Gage is devoted to Rochester's newest sport -- Arena Softball, which is being played at the new Soccer World location on 19th Street NW.
Softball played inside?
"It really doesn't matter if you've played much softball in the past or not," Gage said. "This is softball at its roots, but the fastest moving baseball or softball that I have ever played. It's a completely different game than the one we play outside."
This softball is played on a regulation diamond, but with a tight, spring-loaded net enlosing the entire field. Instead of walls and roofs, you're enclosed inside a giant net.
There are no foul balls; all hit balls are live, no matter what direction. Careening balls are played off the net.
There are no longer three outs to an inning; all batting innings consist of 16 batters. There is a pitcher and a catcher along with the seven other positions.
Teams can score runs on defense, too. The fielding side is awarded a 1/2 run for every out they create. Each run scored, of course, counts as one.
The game is timed. The game is considered over after 60 minutes.
"This is a game for those that won't play softball outdoors because they're afraid they can't hit," Gage said. "If you're able to run, that's all you have to do. And you really don't have to be that fast."
Soccer World offers a six-team league, which started play last week. Gage organized the "Scared Hitless" team, which now has a sponsor, Jag Tours.
"I never dreamed I would ever play softball inside," said Gage, who works for Accenture, a consulting firm based in Chicago. "At first, I had a hard time getting guys interested, but once they came out, they were hooked.
"In the winter, I used to play broomball in order to keep active, but I got tired of all the bumps and bruises. Playing indoors, it keeps me playing softball until I can get back outside in the spring."
Kevin Lowery owns two Soccer World locations and said he was looking to add a sport to supplement the winter schedule.
"I knew they played indoor softball in California, but that's about all," he said.
"I figured Rochester would be a natural because it is such a big softball city, but I put out the word and nothing happend. No response, even though I offered any team to play for free.
"Finally, one guy came in who was interested. I think he saw something on Facebook. Then he watched a video on Youtube and he got excited, and the word started to spread. It's the fastest sport we have."
Aluminum bats are used but the softballs are slightly "softer" than those used in the summer.
The current season runs through mid-December, and in January, Lowery hopes to expand play, hopefully adding co-ed teams.
Games can get high scoring -- a 65-47 score was turned in last week.
"As long as you touch the bat with the ball, you're good to go," Gage said.
Home runs? The only way to get an "automatic" home run is by hitting one of the two banners situated in the outfield. The dimensions at Soccer World are 130 feet to left field, about 100 to right and 150 to 150 in center.
"I'm a pretty big guy," said Gage, "and hit a few home runs in the summer but here, indoors, home runs can be hit by anyone.
"Everybody contributes."