Balls soar through the air, each foot of flight producing more money. In an effort to raise money for the softball program, the team will put on a hit-a-thon on May 4.

?We are holding the hit-a-thon to raise money for new equipment,? coach Tiffany Kaiser said. ?The two main things we need are a new home plate and pitching machine.?

While new equipment maybe considered a luxury for other teams, for the Eagles it is a necessity. The umpires ruled the home plate unsafe when a runner slid into it and dislodged it from the ground, on April 24. This forced FC to forfeit after playing two innings against Dos Palos.

?When the quality of equipment hinders a team from playing,? Kaiser said, ?it is time for new equipment. Having to forfeit a game because we could not get a plate properly installed in time is unacceptable.?

In addition to a new plate, the team hopes to purchase a pitching machine to replace a non-functional one.

?It is difficult to practice batting effectively without a pitching machine,? Kaiser said, ?and that is an area where we need to improve. We either have to make Amanda Wood, our only pitcher, throw the day before a game when she should save her arm for the next day or have one of the coaches pitch at a lower speed than the girls will encounter in a game.?

Softball’s first fundraiser has already been a positive boost for the team.

?Hopefully we can raise some money and get a new plate before our next home game,? Kaiser said.

In addition to raise funds, the team sees the hit-a-thon as an opportunity to challenge each player and evaluate team hitting.

?I?m looking forward to raising money,? Melanie Nachitgall, ?08, said, ?but I?m also excited because it gives me a chance to see how far I can really hit the ball.?

The hit-a-thon will be held during the team practice. Team members are asking for sponsorships and will collect the money the following week.