The Karns City High School softball team has found a new home this season: Diehl Stadium, home of the Gremlins' football, boys and girls soccer and track teams.

KARNS CITY — Karns City was no longer permitted to play softball at Kelly Automotive Park and the Gremlins were in danger of losing the field at Chicora Elementary.

So they took their balls and went home.

Literally.

Karns City home softball games are now being played at Diehl Stadium, home of the Gremlins' football team.

“The kids love it,” KC athletic director Brian Markle said. “They get to play games under the lights for the first time.”

They also have a public address announcer, concession stand and a scoreboard. They had none of those things at Chicora Elementary.

The Gremlins tried playing softball games at Kelly Automotive Park last season, but the PIAA said that field could not be used for softball because of the baseball mound.

With the backstop on wheels, portable outfield fence and bases that are gripped underneath by the turf, Karns City's football field can be transformed to softball “in about 10 minutes,” Stitt said.

Only the pitching rubber and home plate are nailed into the turf.

Markle said PIAA officials were brought in to approve the softball field before any games were played on it.

Learn more about how the football field transforms for softball in Thursday's Butler Eagle.