The Division II Softball Committee will submit a proposal to the Division II Championships Committee to expand the championship field from 48 to 64 teams. The committee was charged with reviewing bracket expansion at its annual meeting July 7-10 in Indianapolis.

"I think expansion is a positive move for softball," said Janet Montgomery, committee chair and head coach at the University of West Alabama. "It will provide opportunities for 12 more teams to experience championship play."

The proposal would expand each regional site from six to eight teams. If expansion to 64 teams is not approved, then the committee would prefer a 56-team format.

In another recommendation to the Championships Committee, the Softball Committee is requesting funds to purchase a rankings program that would allow committee members to enter data electronically and help process the information more accurately.

In other action, the committee determined that host institutions no longer will have the option to select what time they will play on the first day of competition. The pairings in the bracket may not be altered.

The committee also noted that the first poll for 2004 will be published after the committee's March 31 conference call. The date is later than in past years because there hasn't been enough information available about the teams earlier in the season on which to base the rankings.

The committee also voted to require that the director of athletics, senior woman administrator or designated assistant attend the pre-tournament meeting and all competition in which team participates. The designee cannot serve in dual capacities as sports information contact or coach.

Among other actions, the committee:

Voted to move the championship game from Monday to Sunday because of the Division II Sports Festival format in 2004. Game No. 14 will begin at 5 p.m. and the if-necessary game would start 30 minutes after its completion.

Recommended that the Championships Committee allow all umpires to fly unless they are in the 500-mile radius to the national championship. Currently, only four of the six umpires are allowed to fly.

Recommended that the Championships Committee increase the regional umpire fee from $500 to $600 and increase the national championship fee by $90.

Determined that bids from prospective hosts be required to assure adequate restrooms on site (permanent or portable) within 100 feet of the field.