By kevin eckleberry

Daily News

Softball season is here.

The Callaway, LaGrange and Troup softball teams will be on the field today for the start of preseason practice, and they’ll open the season on Saturday with a round-robin series of games against each other at Granger Park.

The teams have been getting together throughout the summer for voluntary workouts, but today marks the first day of mandatory practice according to the Georgia High School Association calendar.

From today’s first day of practice, the teams will have less than a week to get ready for the start of the season on Saturday.

In the season opener on Saturday, LaGrange and Troup will play at 10 a.m., and it’ll be Callaway and Troup facing off at noon.

In the day’s final game, LaGrange and Callaway will play at 2 p.m.

All money raised from Saturday’s games will go to The H.O.P.E. For a Day organization. Admission is $5.

All three teams will look to build on successful 2017 seasons.

Callaway finished third in Region 5-AA and reached the second round of the state tournament for the first time in the history of the program.

Troup beat Cartersville to finish third in the Region 5-AAAA tournament and fought hard against Northwest Whitfield before losing in the opening round of the state playoffs.

LaGrange had a winning season and finished third in the regular season in Region 5-AAAA, but it’s season ended when it lost to Cedartown in the region tournament.

Also today, preseason practice begins for the volleyball, cross country and cheerleading teams.

Football practice began last week, and the teams can put the pads on and begin holding full-contact practices on Wednesday.