CASTILLA NO MATCH FOR “NASTY” SOFTBALL PITCHES

ARIZ.» Vinny Castilla SCOTTSDALE, stepped into a batting cage Thursday, his hands in gloves and wrists wrapped, with every intention of getting a hit. But the Rockies’ special adviser, an original member of the Blake Street Bombers, was about to go down swinging.

The University of Wisconsin softball team visited Salt River Fields to take in batting practice and the Rockies’ closed-door morning meeting. Badgers freshman shortstop Lauren Foster is the daughter of Colorado’s pitching coach, Steve Foster.

The Badgers’ visit set up a challenge. Castilla and Rockies scout Doug Bernier, a former major-league shortstop, faced Wisconsin assistant coaches Kierstan Verdun and TaylorPaige Stewart, who pitched to them on a practice field.

Verdun threw four pitches to Castilla. He fouled off two, each a fastball. On the fourth pitch, she fooled him with a changeup — and a crowd of Rockies and Badgers hollered.

“They’re nasty,” Castilla said. “That changeup broke my back.”

Must-see TV.

AT&T SportsNet will televise 150 regular-season Rockies games this year, the network announced Thursday. The broadcast crew will have one newcomer.

Conor McGahey, a Colorado native and the public-address announcer for Broncos home games, will help host pregame and postgame shows with primary host Jenny Cavnar.

McGahey, who also hosts a studio show for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, fills the role vacated by Marc Stout.

Drew Goodman will continue to handle play-by-play duty, with Jeff Huson and Ryan Spilborghs returning for color commentary. Cavnar also will be an in-game reporter.

Starter on hold.

Manager Bud Black would not commit to announcing an opening-day starter for the Rockies’ March 29 game against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Jon Gray was the Rockies’ clear No. 1 pitcher to end last season, and he started the wildcard playoff game in Phoenix.

But Black said it’s too early in spring training to come to a conclusion.

“Did you seriously just ask that question on March 8?” he said.

Footnotes.

Gerardo Parra took another round of batting practice Thursday, this time from a pitching machine. He is scheduled to face live pitching Friday and make his Cactus League debut as early as Saturday. … Black said he has been especially impressed by German Marquez, saying the right-hander “plays as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.”