In a topic that’s been buzzing all week, multiple sources—including the Associated Press—have confirmed that the Regional & Super-Regional Sites leading into this year’s Women’s College World Series (WCWS) will be predetermined instead of being based on the seeding of the Top 16 teams among the 64 in the WCWS tournament.
On Monday, two college softball-focused online sources, DI Softball and Justin’s World of Softball, had published the anticipated news based on their receiving a copy of the NCAA letter that was sent out across the nation.
Here is the AP article which was published on Tuesday in major newspaper outlets across the nation including the Miami Herald, Seattle Times and USA Today
The NCAA Division I baseball and softball tournaments will have predetermined sites for Regionals and Super Regionals as a safeguard against COVID-19.
In a recent memo to Division I baseball and softball administrators, NCAA sports directors said schools are invited to bid to be among 16 regional hosts in each sport. Those sites will be announced the week of April 26 for softball and the week of May 10 for baseball.
Eight super-regional sites will be selected from among the 16 regional sites.
Traditionally, Regionals are awarded to the top 16 seeds announced the day before the 64-team tournament fields are announced. The eight highest advancing seeds typically host Super Regionals.
The rationale for predetermining sites, according to the memo, is that additional time is needed to prepare them for COVID-19 testing procedures.
The eight Super Regional winners in softball will play in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City beginning June 3. The eight advancing baseball teams play in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, beginning June 19.
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Additionally, here are some of the reactions based on media reports from across the nation:
Ben Miglore of the Columbia Missourian reported:
Missouri softball coach Larissa Anderson has said one of her goals for the team this season was to be able to host regionals. Normally that would mean just reaching the top 16, a territory the Tigers have been hovering near the edge of for much of the season.
Now, to be able to host, Missouri must convince the NCAA, a hurdle not previously anticipated. The school has yet to announce whether or not it will submit a bid.
Brett Greenberg of The Tuscaloosa News wrote today:
The decision is in an effort to help comply with health and safety protocols as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think this was the right call,” said Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy. “In a normal year, we would possibly be traveling to play five days after the bracket is announced. With all the protocols in place, it is impossible to keep everyone safe.”
Jeff Metcalfe of the Arizona Republic added:
Arizona State is bidding to host NCAA Tournament regionals in baseball and softball.
The deadline for bid submission is April 12.
Matt Jones of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette stated on Monday:
The University of Arkansas plans to submit bids to host NCAA baseball and softball regionals on its campus.
Bids for the two sports are due by next Monday, significantly earlier than in other years. According to an NCAA memo sent to universities last Friday, more lead time is needed this year to determine hosting sites in order to ensure covid-19 testing protocols are functional at each site.
