The NCAA has now sent out a communication to all-session/season ticket holders that the capacity of the WCWS has officially been increased to 100%. Those ticket holders will now receive all their tickets for all sessions they would usually be entitled to, instead of the 50% ticket/session allotment that had been under the former capacity plan. The communication also stated that single-session tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 27.
Matriarch Of GCU Program Done
Grand Canyon has parted ways with head coach Ann Pierson. She led the Antelopes from the programs inception in 2004. In her 18 seasons at GCU she compiled a 509-419 record.
King Out At Furman
RTS has confirmed through sources that Furman has officially moved on from head coach Wally King. King had been on suspension from his position since April for undisclosed reasons. Those sources also confirm assistant coach Stacey Johnson-Whitfield will now serve as interim head coach as the school conducts a national search.
NCAA Working On WCWS Capacity
The WCWS capacity saga continues and seemingly is evolving by the minute. RTS received a communication just minutes ago from the NCAA. Part of that communication stated:
“Currently, the NCAA is working with state and local officials to finalize capacity to the 100% for current ticket holders for the WCWS event this year.”
The email would indicate that a plan is in its final stages to open the event to full capacity in some way starting with current all-session ticket holders. The WCWS is less than two weeks away starting Thursday June 3.
WCWS Fan Fest Seemingly Canceled
The muddled message on the question of capacity at the WCWS continues. Sources close to the situation have informed RTS that the annual WCWS Fan Fest was removed Thursday from the operational schedule for USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. The annual Fan Fest takes place inside the Hall of Fame Complex just outside the stadium and runs the entire week of the WCWS offering interactive and other softball specific activities to fans. The move could further indicate that an increase of attendance capacity from the current 50% might not be in the cards in OKC. On Wednesday NCAA had announced it had lifted all capacity limitations for their championships if local and state guidelines allowed such a move.
RTS Descends On Athens Regional This Weekend
RTS will be at the Athens Regional starting tomorrow and through the weekend at Jack Turner Stadium on the campus of the University of Georgia. Action starts with two games on Friday as the No. 13 National Seed and ACC Champions No. 17 nationally ranked Duke, take on the champions from the Southern Conference UNC Greensboro at Noon EST. Host Georgia follows at 2:30 pm EST taking on Western Kentucky the Conference USA Champions. Follow RTS on Twitter @Rounding3rdSB for real-time in-game updates throughout the weekend.
Winningest Coach In Mercer History Out
Mercer head coach Stephanie DeFeo has stepped down from her position. DeFeo spent eight seasons with the Bears, the first three as an assistant coach and last five leading the program. The move comes as a bit of a surprise as Defeo is the winningest coach in program history with a 217-195 record.
Message Muddled On WCWS Capacity Issue
Around and around we go… After NCAA confirmed to RTS that the lifting of capacity restrictions in Oklahoma City for the WCWS was based on local regulations and guidelines set forth by OKC, the city itself has now clarified that no such restrictions are in place. City representatives have clarified however that the ultimate decision on capacity at Hall of Fame Stadium is at the discretion of facility management, USA Softball. USA Softball in turn clarified to RTS that, “With the WCWS being a NCAA event, USA Softball does not have any further details or comments at this time.” It seems as there could still be a path to 100% capacity, who makes that call is the ultimate question. WCWS all-session ticket holders were issued electronic tickets this morning for the previously determined 50% seat/session limit based on each holder’s preselected option. So at this point backtracking ticketing two weeks away form the start of the WCWS could be a major issue at hand.
WCWS Attendance Capacity Still In Doubt
After NCAA announced restrictions would be lifted clearing the way for 100% capacity at the Women’s College World Series, it now seems Oklahoma City itself has other ideas. After communicating with NCAA, RTS has learned that per local regulations and guidelines the city itself will currently keep attendance capacity for the WCWS at 50%.
NAIA World Series Set
Ten teams have advanced through the Opening Regional Round and will now vie for the NAIA National Championship. The title will be decided May 27-June 2 in Columbus, Georgia.
NAIA World Series Participants by seed:
No. 1 Southern Oregon
No. 2 Oregon Tech
No. 3 Olivet Nazarene
No. 4 College of Idaho
No. 5 Ottawa-Kansas
No. 6 Madonna
No. 7 Mount Mercy
No. 8 Milligan
No. 9 Bethany
No. 10 Houston-Victoria