Field: The championship field comprises 43 teams. First-round competition will include five five-team tournaments and three six-team tournaments. All first-round tournaments will feature a double-elimination format. Winners of the regionals will advance to an eight-team, double-elimination final.

Dates and sites: Regional play will be May 12-14 or 12-15 (for regionals with six teams), and the finals will be at James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia, May 18-22.

Information/results: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/563-1133 (pin code 1915); request numbers are 1481 for brackets and schedules, 1482 for ticket information; and 5187 for championship schedules and results. Championship results will appear in the June 5 issue of The NCAA News.

Championship notes: One of the biggest obstacles for Simpson in repeating as national champion in 2000 would be doing so without the services of pitcher Kelly Schade, who set career records for victories, strikeouts and shutouts. The Storm has maintained a 17-1 record so far this season without Schade, though, and has compiled a team earned-run average of 1.09 this season. Amber Ridnour, who hit .397 in last year's tournament, returns as the only all-tournament team selection from 1999 for the Storm. Runner-up Chapman returns four of five all-tournament team members from last year, but it lost Stephanie Carew, who finished her career in the top five for career home runs. Amie Barnes batted .471 to lead all batters in tournament play in 1999 and is joined by pitcher Linsey Buendia to anchor the Panthers this season. Alma, which advanced to the national semifinals last year, is 21-5 this season and is leading the Central region.