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III softball explores adopting change in format for regionals

The committee, meeting June 25-28 in Jackson, Wyoming, agreed to explore the financial ramifications of such a change and the effect it would have on schools that do not compete on Sundays.

The current Division I format provides for two games on the first day (seed No. 2 vs. seed No. 3 and seed No. 1 vs. seed No. 4). On the second day, the winners of the first two games would meet in the third game of the tournament. Game No. 4 would match the losers of the first two games. The winner of game No. 4 would play the loser of game No. 3 in the fifth game. On the third day of the regional, game No. 6 would pit the winner of game No. 3 against the winner of game No. 5.

Game No. 7 would be necessary only is the winner of game No. 5 beats the winner of game No. 3 in the sixth contest.

If the committee forwards a recommendation to the NCAA Executive Committee, the earliest such a change could take place would be for the 1998 championship.

In addition to considering the format change, the Division III committee agreed to adopt Division I's inclement-weather policy for six games played, beginning in 1997.

The new policy would state that if six games are completed before inclement weather limits action, the winner of game No. 6 would advance to the finals unless there is still a tie, in which case head-to-head competition would be examined.

If a tie still remains, run differential between the teams will be used. The run differential equals runs scored minus runs allowed, with a limit of eight runs maximum per game.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Division III Women's Softball Committee
June 25-28/Jackson, Wyoming

* Noted that current restructuring discussions in Division III have raised the possibility of returning to a 1:8 ratio for determining bracket size in team sports (one spot in the bracket for every eight institutions sponsoring the sport). If such a ratio is adopted, the Division III bracket would expand from 24 to 32 teams.

* Agreed that schools may be fined $150 if they do not submit score report forms after repeated requests from the committee.

* Voted to allow four at-large selections to the all-tournament teams.

* Voted to recommend to the NCAA Executive Committee that the following conferences be granted automatic qualification in 1997: the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic, New Jersey Athletic and State University of New York Athletic Conferences.