The NCAA News - News and Features

July 7, 1997

II softball retains finals format

The NCAA Division II Women's Softball Committee -- responding to the NCAA Division II Championships Committee's proposal to increase the Division II tournament field from 24 to 32 teams and hold regionals over three days instead of the traditional two -- has recommended that the format for the finals continue to be modified double-elimination with eight teams competing.

The committee, meeting June 22-25 in Kansas City, Missouri, also recommended that championships awards be presented to the first- and second-place teams from the finals and to each of the six regional champions. Under the recommendation, the third- and fourth-place teams from the finals no longer would receive awards.

In addition, the committee expressed its desire to solicit a bid from 1998 Division II championship host Salem, Virginia, to serve as host in 1999.