The idea for the Iowa Women's Softball League began last summer when I asked Joe Drahozal what his daughter, Erin, was doing for softball while she was on vacation from Upper Iowa University.

Joe's answer surprised me: Erin would not be playing softball during the summer, except for individual workouts, because there were not any women's collegiate fast-pitch softball leagues in Iowa.

Well, there is now.

The new Iowa Women's Softball League will swing into action this Sunday afternoon with doubleheaders at Kirkwood Community College and Coe College at 2 p.m.

There are 52 players and four teams in the league. That number includes 46 active college players and six former college players who are anxious to get on the field again.

It's taken nearly a year of planning and preparation by the Metro Sports Report and friends, but Opening Day is fast approaching and everyone is ready to roll.

As president of the Metro Sports Report , I'd like to personally thank all the college coaches for their support. We have players from 23 different colleges and they hail from 34 different high school programs.

I'd also like to thank all of our fine sponsors, whose financial support has made this possible. Ironside Apparel, Construction Materials, Emil's Hideaway Restaurant and Hawkeye Convenience Stores  are our four gold medal sponsors. Ironside Apparel designed and provided the sensational jerseys that all the players will be wearing.

Play It Again Sports of Cedar Rapids, Adcraft Printing and TSF Structures are our three silver medal sponsors and have provided incredible support as well.

I'd also like to thank all the players, for having the faith and confidence in our new league. And I'd like to thank the coaches for volunteering their time to run the teams and help manage the league. They are Joe Drahozal, Mike Kuba, Dean Wiebel and Shelby Crist, who will be serving as a player/coach.

The team rosters and league schedule are posted as separate stories on the home page of the Metro Sports Report website for your perusal.

We'll be asking spectators for a voluntary gate fee of $5 for each doubleheader when we "Pass the Hat" between games. All students in college, high school, middle school and grade school will be admitted free of charge. All senior citizens will be admitted for no charge as well.

The season will run for 10 straight Sundays, from May 28 through July 30, with doubleheaders at Kirkwood and Coe each day. The final Sunday will be reserved for the one-day playoffs.