THE Spring Games, which began last Friday (Feb. 21, 2025) and runs through March 28, 2005 is described as “the ULTIMATE collegiate softball experience” and certainly is the largest college softball event in the world.

How many softball events featuring close to 300 teams playing more than 1,200 games run like this over a month?

Line Drive Softball’s Brentt and Shannon Eads will be there to cover much of this year’s event which takes place 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 invited small Northern teams to play at the brand-new facility. That first year, 48 teams came 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 as many as 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 along with a half dozen D1 programs like Rutgers, Louisville, Liberty and Middle Tennessee State—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:

“What a great opportunity for college softball programs across all divisions to compete in this well-respected, well-established event. My wife and I look forward to being there in March to cover much of the action!

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 attending this outstanding event.”  

*** Follow Line Drive Softball for onsite coverage of THE Spring Game