Southern Oregon has announced that National Champion Coach Jessica Pistole will return to the helm of the program. Pistole had left the Raiders after the 2019 Championship Season for the head coaching job at San Diego. She coached the Toreros for less than 10 months and was 15-12 in the abbreviated 2020 season.
Cal Maritime Names Yoder Director of Athletics
Cal Maritime has hired Karen Matteson Yoder as their new Director of Athletics. She joins the Keelhaulers after serving in the same capacity at Mission College. Yoder is also a veteran of the collegiate softball game having head coaching stops at UC Davis, Napa Valley College, UNC Greensboro, and Cal State Hayward.
2020 Canada Cup Cancelled
One of the most well known international softball events, the Canada Cup, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The annual event was scheduled for July 3-12 in Surrey, British Columbia. This year had the most national and club teams ever registered in event history at 110. Organizers have already set the events return in 2021 for July 2-12.
Cal Alum Spencer Returns to Lead Golden Bears
California has announced that program alum and Texas Assistant Coach Chelsea Spencer will take the reigns in Berkeley. After some odd twists and turns in the search, the member of the 2002 National Championship squad returns home to coach the Golden Bears.
Draine Promoted to Head Coach at Coker
Coker has promoted assistant coach Mackenzie Draine to head coach. Draine was in her second stint as an assistant for the Cobras after coaching on staff at Cleveland State. Draine replaces Travis McCall that departed for an assistants position at USC Upstate.
Meadows Named Head Coach at Bishop State
Bishop State Community College has named Monica Meadows their new softball coach. Meadows served last season as an assistant coach at Nicholls State after a three year stint as head coach at Coastal Alabama Community College.
McDaniel Out as Tennessee Pitching Coach
Sources are reporting to RTS that longtime Tennessee Assistant Coach Marty McDaniel will not be returning to the program. McDaniel served the last 16 seasons overseeing a pitching staff that racked up 743 victories and seven appearances at the Women’s College World Series during his time with the Lady Vols.
NCAA Recommends Reduction of Contests for DII
The NCAA Management Council has recommended to cap the maximum number of softball contests for Division II to 44 for the 2021 season as a result of financial strains of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This would be a reduction of 12 contests from the current number of 56 and possibly leveling a huge blow to the competition opportunities and visibility of the game
McCall Joins USC Upstate Coaching Staff
Coker Head Coach Travis McCall has departed the program to join the coaching staff at USC Upstate. McCall spent six seasons leading the Cobras achieving a 165-120-1 record and two NCAA postseason appearances.
NCAA Extends Dead Period for DI; Quiet Period Established for DII
The NCAA has extended the recruiting dead period to June 30 as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The change essentially wipes out the first month of the usual prime summer recruiting season and showcase events for softball coaches and their programs. While Division I has their hands tied for any in-person recruiting on or off campus; Division II Coaches have wrangled being in a “quiet” period compared to a “dead” period. This will allow much more flexibility for DII in regards to recruiting. In essence DII will be allowed to host prospects on campus and run camps if allowed by their institute. DII will also be allowed “voluntary workouts” during the summer with all their athletes including incoming freshmen.