NCAA approves adding two more days to WCWS
NORMAN — Three months ago, in the middle of her team’s run to their fifth Women’s College World Series title amid attention unlike any the sport had experienced before, OU coach Patty Gasso became college softball’s biggest advocate for change.
The addition of replay and a schedule allowing more rest were among the biggest issues Gasso pushed.
Wednesday, the NCAA’s Division I Competition Oversight Committee approved changes to the schedule. Last month, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel for the sport announced the approval of instant replay for the upcoming season.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” Gasso told The Oklahoman. “I think the entire softball community feels the same way. Especially as a team that’s been in it pretty consistently, I just see the physical drain that it has on athletes to the point where, as a coach, you’re uncomfortable playing them.”
The scheduling change — as well as the replay capabilities — will be in place for next year’s WCWS in Oklahoma City.
The scheduling change, taking the tournament from a seven-day event to nine days, eliminates the doubleheader for teams that lose on the tournament’s opening day, and adds a day of rest between the end of bracket play and the best-of-three championship series.
The additional two days for the WCWS will also increase the economic impact of the event for the Oklahoma City metro area. The seven-day tournament had an estimated $24 million economic impact, according to the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“What we’ve accomplished with this format change for the Women’s College World Series is further prioritization of
student-athlete rest, recovery and preparation during the event and more flexibility to manage weather delays in Oklahoma City,” committee chair Sandy Atkins said in a statement.
“The engagement from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, particularly the active coaches who have participated in the Women's College World Series, helped identify the day off before the championship series and minimizing doubleheaders as key recommendations to improve the championship.
“That focused feedback helped us narrow in on this alternative format that targets those priorities, while still preserving the format components that allow for a competitive series and quality experience for teams and fans.”
Thanks to weather delays, Oklahoma State's WCWS loss to Florida State didn't end until after 2 a.m., and the deciding third game of the championship series was played on a Thursday afternoon.
The Sooners ultimately played eight games in eight days to win the title. The Seminoles also played eight games during the tournament.
Gasso said the teams were exhausted even before they got to the final game.
“When you're on that final day, both Florida State and OU, they were dead, dead tired,” Gasso said. “So what you saw was two teams just trying to survive and not being rested and recovered.”
The two additional days will change that dynamic, she said, helping continue to momentum built by Odicci Alexander's storybook tale, OU's run to the title and plenty of other moments in the 2021 WCWS.
“Ultimately what's good for the athletes is what's good for the game,” Gasso said.
And Gasso said it was heartening to know that her voice — and that of others who advocated for similar changes — was heard.
“To be able to be heard as an organization, it's beyond exciting,” Gasso said.