Rounding Third Softball

‪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

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.

‪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.

‪Arizona Head Coach Mike Candrea will be taking a 20% decrease to his $345,000 annual salary as part of cuts to the highest paid Wildcat Coaches. The cuts, a direct result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, is to help with an athletic department shortfall of $7.5 million in 2019-20. Candrea has spent 35 seasons coaching the Wildcats amassing 1,633 wins (1,817 in 40 years as a head coach) while winning eight National Championships.

The WBSC has announced the postponement of the 2021 Women’s Softball World Cup to 2023. According to officials this step was taken to keep the focus on the competition at the now rescheduled 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, the WBSC will now recognize the 2022 World Games taking place in Birmingham, Alabama as the top women’s international softball competition for 2022, with the winning team named world champion. 

Minnesota has announced Piper Ritter has been elevated to be the programs new head coach. The longtime assistant and alum takes the position second time around after being offered it three years ago when then Head Coach Jessica Allister departed the program. 

‪University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has announced the retirement of Head Coach Larry Hennig. Hennig guided UMHB to a 249-149 record in 10 seasons after 12 seasons at Temple College. He finishes his career with a 768-352 record. Assistant Coach Melissa Mojica has been promoted to replace him.

‪The NCAA has approved the process of developing legislation to allow student-athletes to benefit from endorsements and promotions. This legislation will allow student-athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Sources have confirmed to RTS that California has dwindled their finalists for their head coaching position to three. Texas Assistant Coach Chelsea Spencer, Texas Tech Associate Head Coach Sam Marder, and San Diego State Associate Head Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz will all have second interviews this week. 

Following up on an earlier story; Conference Commissioners from the America Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference, Mid-America Conference, Sun Belt Conference, and Conference USA petitioning the NCAA to allow institutions to fall below the minimum 16 sports for FBS Football Sponsoring Division I Institutions, won’t be considered as an option per the NCAA. Conferences were seeking relief in the wake of financial fallout from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic that would allow them to fall below the minimum number by possibly cutting non-revenue producing sports.