The Division I Softball Committee at its recent meeting decided to make the outfield fences at the Women’s College World Series higher and farther away beginning in 2010.

A warning track also will be implemented for student-athlete safety.

The new dimensions for the WCWS most likely will be 200 feet down the right and left field lines and 220 feet to center field. The height of the fence will increase to six feet rather than the four-foot high fences used in the past.

Most of the facilities used at campus sites where the regionals and super regional rounds are played have these dimensions.

Previously, the outfield fences for the Women’s College World Series were 190 down the lines and 220 to center at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

“We’ve sought feedback from the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association and the NCAA Softball Rules Committee,” said David Batson, committee chair and director of athletics compliance at Texas A&M. “A lot of schools also want to change their campus facilities to match what they will be playing on at the Women’s College World Series.”

The addition of a warning track has been discussed with facility personnel in Oklahoma City.

“We’ve seen outfielders go all out for a fly ball, and when they hit that four-foot fence, they go flipping over it,” Batson said. “It’s not the safest environment for a student-athlete. If we can give them a warning track and a six-foot fence with appropriate protection, it helps from a student-athlete safety perspective.”

In another item on the agenda, the committee recommended raising the guarantees institutions and conferences must ensure to host regionals or super regionals. Prospective regional and super regional hosts would have to guarantee $7,500 and $10,000, respectively (up from $5,000 and $7,500).  The Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet must approve the proposal.