THE Spring Games, which kicks off six weeks from today, is described as “the ULTIMATE collegiate softball experience” and certainly is the largest college softball event in the world.

How many softball events featuring nearly 50 teams run like this over a month?

Line Drive Softball’s Brentt and Shannon Eads will be there to cover this year’s event which runs from February 27th to March 28th in Central Florida.

As is noted on the event’s website, legendary softball player and coach Dot Richardson was a driving force behind the event.

In 2008, when Legends Way Ballfields (Clermont, Fla.) opened, Dr. Richardson once again invited small northern teams to play at the brand-new facility…. 48 teams came that March, and every year since THE Games have grown both in popularity and quality. Over time, all divisions of collegiate softball were added to the schedule.”

Since 2014, when Dr. Richardson passed the baton to her niece, Alison Strange, THE Spring Games has consistently hosted over 300 teams playing over 1,500 games at parks in Auburndale, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Madeira Beach, Winter Haven, and Clermont.

All of these teams play out-of-conference, regular season games that count toward their record and, as noted in the Mission Statement for THE Spring Games, the Florida-based softball spectacular is “to provide a home field for all collegiate softball players, no matter what division or skill level… and to create a place they can call ‘home’ and return to each year.”

Today, several members of the Richardson family serve in leadership roles at THE Spring Games which remains family owned and operated.

This year (2025), 280 teams—mostly Division 2 and 3 squads—will be competing under THE Spring Games banner.

As part of Line Drive Softball’s growth this year (2025), Line Drive’s Brentt Eads explains:

“There will be an expansion of more top college and pro softball coverage in addition to our youth, high school, club and even international news.”

“Personally, with temperature lows in the teens and highs in the 30’s right now in Idaho where I live, it will be great to be in Florida in a matter of weeks to cover great softball and enjoy the weather in Florida!”

The Line Drive editor concludes:

“I’ve known Alison since 2018 when I helped set up live streaming opportunities at THE Spring Games and I’m excited to once again be part of this outstanding event.”  

*** Follow Line Drive Softball for more pre-event coverage of THE Spring Games!