Intramural softball season set to start May 12 Published May 7, 2015 By Kendahl Johnson Kirtland Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- When Kirtland's intramural softball season gets underway May 12, participants will notice major changes from last year, namely the change from aluminum to wooden bats and pitchers being required to wear face masks. Steven Bowlin, Fitness Center director, said the change was put into place to protect the players. "We made this change to increase the safety of our league," Bowlin said. "Our number one priority is protecting the players." Wooden bats and masks will be provided by the Fitness Center, so no additional expense will be incurred by the teams, he said. Other efforts were made to help increase player safety, including major enhancements to the softball field. Workers have added more than 100 tons of surface material, repaired sprinkler heads, added new safety bases, added a safety fence topping, seeded the field with new grass and purchased different drags to keep the soil soft. "The staff works very hard to make sure the field is safe and very well groomed," Bowlin said. "We're continually trying to make things better and provide a good quality product for our Airmen." Twelve teams will compete in the league this season, with the 550th Aircraft Maintenance Unit defending its championship title from last year. Senior Airman Andrew George, a member of the 58th Maintenance Squadron's team, said his team has been working hard to prepare for the season and he expects to dethrone the 550th this year. "We are gunning for them," George said. "We have a few heavy hitters on our team and we'll be tough to beat." Other teams expected to be in the title conversation are the 898th Munitions Squadron, winners in the 2013 season, 377th Weapons System Security Squadron, runners up in 2013, and the 377th Security Forces Group. "We have a lot of strong teams with talented players. It will definitely be a competitive league," Bowlin said.