College Softball News

FPN Bracketology 4.0

Down the stretch we come before selection Sunday on May 12th. This could be one of most interesting selection Sundays as you can make a case for up to 20 teams to host for the 16 regional sites. We also go in depth on who is on the bubble and more. Here is how it is looking as of today in our latest projections.

**Bold numbers in parentheses represents the number of teams from a given conference to receive an NCAA tournament bid. Number is parentheses behind team names represents current RPI**

ACC (5)
Florida State (5) , North Carolina (23) Virginia Tech (29) , Louisville (28), Notre Dame (37)

American (3)
South Florida (26) Tulsa (24), Houston (36)

Big East (1)
St John’s (93)

Big 12 (4)
Oklahoma (1) , Texas (6) , Oklahoma State (13) , Texas Tech (21)

Big Ten (5)
Northwestern (11), Minnesota (10) , Michigan (17), Ohio State (38), Wisconsin (34)

Pac-12 (6)
UCLA (2) ,Washington (4) , Arizona (3), Stanford (31), Arizona State (27), Oregon State (40)

SEC (13)
Alabama (9), LSU(8), Florida (7), Tennessee (12), Ole Miss (15), Auburn (20) , Kentucky (16), Arkansas (22) , Mississippi State (30), South Carolina (19), Missouri (33), Georgia (32), Texas A&M (49)

A-10 (1)
Fordham (158)

America East (1)
UMass Lowell (111)

A-Sun (1)
Liberty (57)

Big Sky (1)
Weber State (121)

Big South (1)
Longwood (70)

Big West (1)
Cal State Fullerton (43)

CAA (1)
James Madison (14)

C-USA (1)
Louisiana Tech (53)

Horizon (1)
Illinois-Chicago (120)

Ivy (1)
Harvard (171)

MAAC (1)
Monmouth (163)

MAC (1)
Miami (Ohio) (75)

MEAC (1)
Bethune-Cookman (208)

MVC (1)
Drake (25)

MWC (3)
Colorado State (35), San Jose State (45), UNLV (41)

NEC (1)
LIU-Brooklyn (117)

OVC (1)
Jacksonville State (85)

Patriot (1)
Boston U (102)

Southern (1)
North Carolina-Greensboro (76)

Southland (1)
Sam Houston State (87)

Summit (1)
North Dakota State (47)

Sun Belt (1)
Louisiana Lafayette (18)

SWAC (1)
Texas Southern (212)

WAC (1)
Seattle (60)

WCC (1)
BYU (77)

————————————-

HOSTS

No. 1 Oklahoma
No. 16 Kentucky
2- Arizona State
2- Virginia Tech
3- Texas A&M
3- Liberty
4- UMass Lowell 4- St John's
------
No. 2 UCLA
No. 15- Michigan
2- Mississippi State
2- South Carolina
3- San Jose State
3- Louisville
4- Monmouth4- Miami Ohio
------
No. 3 Florida State
No. 14- Oklahoma State
2- South Florida
2- Arkansas
3- Georgia
3- Tulsa
4- Harvard4- Fordham
------
No. 4 Arizona
No. 13- Tennessee
2- Cal State Fullerton
2- James Madison
3- UNLV
3- Longwood
4- Weber State 4- UNCG
------
No. 5- Alabama
No. 12- Northwestern
2- Stanford
2- Missouri
3- Ohio State
3- Notre Dame
4- Jacksonville State4- Illinois-Chicago
------
No. 6- Washington
No. 11- Ole Miss
2- Colorado State
2- Louisiana
3- Seattle
3- La Tech
4- BYU4- LIU-Brooklyn
------
No. 7- LSU
No. 10- Minnesota
2- Texas Tech
2- Drake
3- Oregon State
3- North Dakota State
4- Texas Southern 4- Boston U
------
No. 8- Florida
No. 9- Texas
2- North Carolina
2- Auburn
3- Wisconsin
3- Houston
4- Bethune-Cookman4- Sam Houston State

In Mix to Host- South Carolina, James Madison, Louisiana

Last 4 In:
Oregon St (40) San Jose State (45), Texas A&M (49), UNLV (41)

First 4 Out:
Indiana (46), Boise State (39), Illinois (50), So. Illinois (44)

Next 4 Out:
Texas State (59), UCF (54), North Texas (55), Lipscomb (48)

————————————-

To keep reading use the promo code “postseasonpush” to sign up for a one year subscription. Below you’ll find the data, information, and resumes for our host bubble teams and overall bubble programs as well as the official requirements facilities must “check off” in order to host postseason action. This could come into play largely this year (as it has in past seasons).

Host Bubble Team Records vs Top 25, 50, and Strength of Schedule

TEAMTOP 25TOP 50SOS
Northwestern3-412-535th
Oklahoma State8-614-927th
Kentucky13-1219-181st
Ole Miss12-917-136th
James Madison3-35-540th
Michigan2-713-1018th
Minnesota5-812-917th
Lousisiana0-11-195th
South Carolina7-1110-1314th

————————————-

Bubble Teams Records vs Top 25, 50, Strength of Schedule , RPI

**conferences are listed in the order of strong conference RPI ranking**

TEAMSTOP 25TOP 50SOSRPI
SEC
Texas A&M4-115-1921st49
--
PAC-12
Oregon State0-125-1515th40
--
BIG 12
Iowa State0-125-1549th56
--
BIG TEN
Indiana1-43-1164th46
Illinois4-97-1539th50
--
ACC
Notre Dame3-77-875th37
--
AMERICAN
Houston2-54-976th36
UCF0-92-1560th54
--
MOUNTAIN WEST
UNLV0-06-563rd41
San Jose State0-06-446th45
Boise State1-12-6112th39
--
SUN BELT
Texas State0-45-1059th59
--
C-USA
North Texas1-52-591st55
Western Kentucky1-11-3125th52
--
A-SUN
Lipscomb0-51-1109th48
--
MISSOURI VALLEY
Southern Illinois1-34-398th44
--

————————————-

Miscellaneous notes: here are the requirements for a facility to host a regional which could come into play this season, especially with Northwestern.

PROSPECTIVE HOSTS – FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Field dimensions: The distance of the outfield fences shall not exceed 235 feet. Outfield fences shall be a minimum of 190 feet in left and right fields (200 preferred). If a portable fence is used, it must be placed at a distance of 200 feet in left and right fields, and 220 feet in center field. All portable fencing must be secured so as to prevent balls from rolling under. The outfield fence is required to be a minimum of four feet but highly recommended to be a minimum of six feet. Please see the 2018 and 2019 NCAA Softball Rules Book for future requirements.

2. Backstop, sideline and outfield fences must enclose the playing field. 

3. The infield must be skinned; the outfield must be natural grass or grass-like synthetic surfaces.

4. There must be a minimum of 25 feet and a maximum of 30 feet from home plate to the backstop.

5. The facility must be enclosed in order to charge admission, with minimum seating capacity of 500 unobstructed-view seats.

6. Concessions and an athletic training facility must be available on site. If permanent facilities are not available, tents may be used to meet this requirement.

7. Restroom facilities must be available, readily accessible and reserved exclusively for student-athletes and team personnel during the course of the game (e.g., permanent restrooms). Adequate restrooms at the facility also must be made available for the spectators. Student-athletes must have access to permanent restroom (private and team-useonly) facilities.

8. An electronic scoreboard, public address system (including backup, if possible).

9. A warmup area must be provided for the two non-playing teams. Minimally, designated restricted areas for throwing and stretching only must be provided to teams in the immediate proximity to the playing field.

10. On-site parking must be provided for teams, tournament personnel and umpires.

11. A covered interview area must be provided separate from spectator and hospitality areas.

12. A tarp must be available for inclement weather.

13. Dugouts must be covered and enclosed from spectators.

14. Internet access must be available for use at press row (radio, internet, phone, fax).

15. Press box: Institutions are required to have minimally a three-sided, covered press box with internet access and telephone.

16. Two separate bullpen areas of comparable composition to the competition field (dirt is preferred) and distance from dugouts must be provided. Bullpens must be separated from the spectator access area. Dirt bullpens are required at the Women’s College World Series.

17. A full complement of grounds crew personnel must be on site at all times during practice and competition.

18. Umpire facilities: A private dressing area (to accommodate both males and females) must be provided. Portable locker rooms, recreation vehicles, etc., may be used; however, a tent does not fulfill this requirement.

19. In order to host preliminary rounds, a lighted facility is required. (Minimum lighting requirement for television is 125 footcandles).

20. Hosts must provide, in the participant manual, a list of equipment available to all teams (i.e., screens, pitching machines, etc.) and a list of indoor facilities.

21. Videotaping: All team camera locations will be located in the center field area and be unmanned. The site representative or a designee will check them periodically to ensure they are operational. The host will provide three-foot-high platforms in both right- and left-center fields approximately 20 feet from center field. Teams that do not comply with these policies will forfeit all video footage. (See camera protocol on page 31 for specifications.)

To Top