The inaugural Butler Softball Long Ball Derby took place Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Bulldog Park. With 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Butler Softball program, the event saw all 2024 team members, coaches and celebrity hitters take their best swings in support of the Bulldogs.

Each hitter was allowed 10 swings in an effort to record their longest hit.  Donors then pledged a specified amount "per foot" in support of their chosen hitter(s).  Several Bulldogs reached the 300-foot mark throughout the event with Leigh Vande Hei taking top honors with a blast of 323 feet.  In total, 23 hitters stepped to the plate during the event, and the average "long ball" traveled over 294 feet.

Head softball coach Scott Hall said, "The long ball derby was a great experience for our student-athletes. It was an opportunity for our players to have some fun and showcase their athleticism at the plate while being supported by family, friends, alumni, and Butler Softball donors. It is an event that we look forward to doing each year going forward, and the level of support shown is a great start to our 2025 season."

The Long Ball Derby is a fun and engaging way to support the Softball Program.  Partnering with CUE Audio and utilizing their "Pledge Per" technology, this year's event saw over 150 donors make 191 pledges "per foot," resulting in over $24,000 raised for the program. Sr. Assoc. Athletic Director for Development J Locklier added, "This was a great day for Butler Softball and resulted in the largest one-day fundraising total in program history. This event is such a fun and unique way to support and engage with the program. The amount of support shown for our student-athletes was tremendous and we can't thank the families, friends, alumni and donors of Butler Softball enough!"

See below for a listing of each participants "long ball":

Makena Alexander - 302 feet
Gwen Baker - 290 feet
Alona Boydston - 280 feet
Sydney Carter - 320 feet
Erin Clark - 287 feet
Hailey Conger - 290 feet
Paige Dorsett - 314 feet
Rylyn Dyer - 239 feet
Paxton Law - 260 feet
Cate Lehner - 239 feet
Paige Lillie - 284 feet
Olivia Moxley - 275 feet
Kayla Noerr - 254 feet
Katie Petran - 293 feet
Olivia Roberts - 263 feet
Morgan Robertson - 270 feet
Kieli Ryan - 260 feet
Emily Todor - 239 feet
Leigh Vande Hei - 323 feet
Ella White - 296 feet
Men's Basketball Asst. Coach Alex Barlow - 269 feet
Head Softball Coach Scott Hall - 332 feet
Athletic Director Grant Leiendecker - 293 feet