Christian Liberty eager for indoors opener

Are you ready for some softball?

With the adverse weather conditions canceling all outdoor action since March 11 when the season was supposed to open, Christian Liberty will kick things off on Thursday with a game against Regina.

Snow, rain or cold will not be a factor.

The game will be played indoors at 3:30 p.m. at the new Rosemont Dome.

It is part of the fourth annual Indoor High School Spring Jamboree hosted by Jim Goranson’s Illinois Bash.

“The girls are excited to play in an indoor facility,” said Christian Liberty coach Dave Krizanovic, whose team has won back-to-back Class 1A regionals. “Being a small school we don’t get to play at too many nice fields, like most suburban schools who have their own fields.

“This will be the nicest facility we have played on in my three years as head coach other than Lenz Field (in Jacksonville, Ill.).

Regina is coached by Goranson, whose daughter Dani was a four-year standout for Elk Grove and is now a freshman pitcher for Michigan State.

“Too bad it’s only one game,” Krizanovic said. “Unfortunately, I will have two starting players missing. They are going on a trip to Paris with the French class.

“The good side of that is that my remaining players will get a decent amount of plate appearances.”

The Chargers coach expects a strong challenge from the Panthers, who defeated CLA 17-0 last season in a nonconference game in Arlington Heights on April 24.

“Regina is a very good team and well coached,” said Krizanovic, whose team was 11-14 and 6-6 in the Northeastern Conference last season. “So we should be able to learn a lot from them and how they play ball. That will help my young players as we get this season started.”