Thanks to a coeducational tradition of more than a century and an impressive track record, women's sports at Middlebury enjoy a particularly prominent position in both the College community and the life of the town. Softball is Middlebury's newest varsity sport (1998) and has grown significantly over the past few years. In '05, the team broke a school record with 24 wins and set 20 team or individual single-season records. They also advanced to the NESCAC Championship game with their second consecutive NESCAC Tournament appearance. The team's schedule includes NESCAC opponents as well as several other Division III opponents. The Panthers play their home games on state-of-the-art diamond. The composition of the field ensures the team the earliest possible opportunity to play. Along with excellent drainage, the facility includes an in-ground sprinkler system, an electric scoreboard, dugouts, a full fence to NCAA specifications and a panoramic view of the Green Mountains.
Middlebury's team carries between 16 and 20 players who appear in approximately 25 games during the regular season. Practice begins indoors in February, with players expected to attend unless there is an academic conflict. Beginning in the spring of 2000, the team added the tradition of a Florida trip during the spring break, adding 8-10 games to the schedule. Players are generally on the field for two hours; combined with preparation and post-practice activity, the total commitment is about three hours a day.