2010 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP HANDBOOK Updated 5/4/2010 Second update: 5/19/2010 Rules...... 22 Table of Contents Sportsmanship...... 22 Squad Size...... 22 Introduction...... 5 Starting Times...... 23 Important Dates...... 6 Sunday Competition...... 23 General Administration...... 7 Television Rights and Footage Licensving...... 23 Date Formula...... 7 Tickets...... 23 Future Dates and Sites...... 7 Umpires...... 23 Sports Committees...... 7 Uniforms...... 24 Championships Information Available Online...... 8 Videotaping...... 25 Determination of Competing Institutions...... 10 Appendix A...... 28 Championships Structure...... 10 Appendix B...... 30 Championships Selection...... 10 Appendix C...... 31 Championships Format...... 11 Appendix D...... 33 Certification Of Eligibility/Availability...... 13 Appendix E...... 34 Determination of Home/Away and Neutral Sites...... 14 Pairings...... 14 Appendix F...... 37 Instructions for participants...... 14 All-Tournament Team...... 15 Audio Coverage (Radio and Internet)...... 15 Awards...... 15 Ball...... 15 Bands and Mascots...... 15 Banners...... 16 Determination of Home Team...... 16 Drug Testing...... 16 Length and Schedule of Games...... 16 Lodging...... 17 Media Arrangements...... 17 Medical Arrangements...... 19 Meetings...... 19 National Anthem...... 20 News, Media, Press Conferences and Satellite Feeds...... 20 Official Scorer...... 20 Official Traveling Party...... 20 Practice Schedule...... 20 Prgraoms and Promotions...... 20 Protest Procedure...... 21 Publicity and Promotion...... 21 prior approvalisobtainedfromthe unless Association. prohibited is manner any in use and Association the of marks registered NATIONALCOLLEGIATEand ATHLETIClogo NCAA ASSOCIATIONNCAA, are

THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Indianapolis, Indiana46206-6222 February 2010 P.O. Box6222 www.ncaa.org 317/917-6222 4 sport-speci policies NCAA the in appear will with revision(s) The committees. sports individual by deals revised been have fourth the while sport, sectiongeneralthe championships.inpolicieslisted Some88[Note: all applicable to respective the to only pertain to Participants; and (4) General Championship Information. The Information. Championship General (4) and Participants; to Institutions;(3)InstructionsCompetingGeneralDetermination of Administration; (2) o t Ue hs Publication. This Use to How on the NCAA Online Web site (www.ncaa.org). women’s championshipsand men’sare National Collegiate combined Championships. The championships. III Division are 14 and championships II Division are 13 championships, I Division are 12 Championships, Collegiate National championships, women’s the Among championships. III Division are 13 and championships II Collegiate Division are National12 championships, I areDivision are 13 threeChampionships, championships, men’s the Among women. both and for are men three and women, for are 44 men, for are 41 which of championships, NCAA Manuals. governing regional advisory committees can be found later in the handbook and in the “Regional Advisory Committees,” headingmore information concerning thegeneral NCAA under policy referenced as However,appendix. an in included be would particular sport that for information basic the committees, advisory regional about know to wish you if example, For appropriate. where Manuals, NCAA the in or handbook A championships handbook is produced for each NCAA championship and posted posted and championship NCAA each for produced is handbook championships A national 88 sponsor will Association the year, academic 2009-10 the During Each topic included in the handbook is referenced to other applicable areas in the in areas applicable other to referenced is handbook the in included topic Each fi c section of the handbook.] Introduction h hnbo i dvdd no or etos (1) sections: four into divided is handbook The 5 fi rst three sections three rst ve are are five

Championships Information Women’s Softball General Administration Championships Information Dates and Sites [Reference: Bylaw 31.1.3 in the NCAA Manual.] Dates and sites for preliminary rounds are determined by the appropriate committees. Finals dates and sites are recommended by appropriate committees with final approval Important Dates given by the NCAA Division II Championships Committee. Friday, January 29—Deadline for submitting final game schedule. 2010 Regionals - Friday through Sunday, May 14-16 on the campuses of competing Wednesday, March 31—First poll. Friday—Sunday, April 2-4---Selection of umpires by Softball Umpire Improvement institutions. Program staff. 2010 Super Regionals—Friday-Saturday, May 21-22 on the campuses of competing Wednesday, April 7--Second poll. institutions. Wednesday, April 14—Third poll. 2010 Finals—Thursday-Monday, May 27-31, Finals, Heritage Park, St. Joseph, Wednesday, April 21—Fourth poll. Missouri Western State University, host. Championships Information Wednesday, April 28—Fifth poll. Friday, April 30—Deadline for submitting bids for prospective preliminary round hosts. Financial Guarantee. Host institutions for all rounds of competition shall guarantee Wednesday, May 5—Sixth and final poll. a minimum of $250 for both the regionals and super regionals and shall complete bid Sunday, May 9—Selection of teams participating in the championship. Teams will be forms. notifed late Sunday, May 9 or early Monday, May 10. NCAA Championships Policy Related to Sports Wagering. No pre-determined Friday—Sunday, May 14-16—Regionals on the campus of one of the competing institutions. or non-predetermined session of an NCAA championship may be conducted in a state Friday—Saturday, May 21-22—Super regionals. with legal wagering that is based on single-game betting on the outcome of any event Thursday—Monday, May 27-31—Finals, Heritage Park, St. Joseph, Missouri; Missouri (i.e., high school, college or professional) in a sport in which the NCAA conducts a Western State University, host. championship. Sports Committee [Reference: Administration and Management in the Division II General Section, and Bylaws 31.1.1 and 31.1.2 in the NCAA Division II Manual.] The NCAA Softball Championship is under the control, direction and supervision of the NCAA Division II Softball Committee. Current members of the committee are: Laura Liesman, Georgian Court University, chair Kevin Blaskowski, West Texas A&M University Kristen Decker, Mansfeld University of Pennsylania Pamela Knox, Western Oregon University Jimmy Martin, Limestone College Lori Meyer, Minnesota State University, Mankato Lisa Sweany, Grand Valley State University

6 7 For more information about the 2010 Division II Softball Championship, contact: 4. Is in the same area of Team A, and Team A plays some of several “home” games Mary Berdo, Assistant Director of Laura Liesman, chair, there each season. Championships, NCAA Director of Athletics and Recreation 5. Is in a city close, within the metropolitan area, to Team A and Team A designates P.O. Box 6222 Georgian Court University the game as a “home” game that will count in its home attendance. The committee will Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222 900 Lakewood Avenue decide any conflicts. Office: 317/917-6555 Lakewood, NJ 08701 Fax: 317/917-6237 Office: 732/987-2471 6. Is a temporary “home” site while the regular home site for Team A is being E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 732/987-2002 renovated. E-mail: [email protected] 7. Is a nearby temporary emergency site while the regular home site for Team A is being repaired or cannot be used due to weather/field condition issues. Annual Forms Neutral Site Determination Score Reporting Form. Institutions must submit their game scores online at http:// Team A is playing Team B. For results, the game is considered a “neutral site” game web1.ncaa.org/champsel/exec/login by 3 p.m. (Eastern time) on the following dates: for both teams if the site of the contest meets the following criteria: March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26 and May 3. 1. Is at another school that is hosting a tournament. Please note entire season schedules need to be submitted online by January 29. Failure to comply with this request may eliminate the institution’s chances of being ranked or 2. Is at another school that is hosting a tournament, even though Team A is from the Championships Information selected for an at large bid. Further, only teams eligible for NCAA championships shall same metropolitan area as the host school and Team B is not. be eligible for NCAA regional polls. 3. Is in the same city or metropolitan area of both teams and is not the home site for •Institutions that do not report will receive one warning (phone call followed up with either team. written notification). 4. Is not in the metropolitan area for either team. •Failure to report a second time will result in a $200 fine. •Failure to report scores for the final two score reporting deadlines will result in a In 2009-10, all championship materials will be available online at www.ncaa.org. $50 fine. An institution will no longer receive a packet of information from the NCAA if it is Appeals due to extenuating circumstances may be made to the Division II Softball selected to participate in or host the championships. Institutional personnel will need Committee. It should be noted that institutions should make every effort to contact to obtain information by going online to www.ncaa.org and clicking on Sports, Spring, their regional chair PRIOR to the Monday 3 p.m. deadline. Ranking week is Monday Softball, Championship Documents and Forms, Division II. All materials, including through Sunday. travel party forms, tournament manuals, releases, brackets, official expense forms, merchandise order forms, etc., will be on the Web site. The only items that will be sent Games played after May 3 should be submitted online by 8 p.m. (Eastern time) from the NCAA national office are the officials’ patches. Please be aware that bids to Saturday, May 8. host preliminary rounds of the championship are due several weeks before selections. [Reference: Championship Selection in this handbook.] Further, only complete bids will be reviewed (proposed budget, facility evaluation, key contact form, facility diagram, hotel contract letter and insurance certificate). If your Determination of Home/Away and Neutral Sites team is being considered for selection into the tournament and you have an adequate Home Team Designation facility, you should consider hosting. You should include as much information as possible regarding your site and facilities, even if you may need to change something Team A is playing Team B. The game is considered a “home” game for Team A and (e.g., game times). an “away” game for Team B if the site of the contest meets the following criteria: Facility Evaluation, Key Contact and Proposed Budget Forms. These forms are 1. Is the regular home site for team A. used to select preliminary round sites. The forms can be found online at www.ncaa. org, 2. Is in the same city and of a reasonable distance within the metropolitan area of under Sports, Spring, Softball, Championship Documents and Forms. Institutions that Team A. Also, Team B must be from outside the metropolitan area. (If in conflict, want to be considered for regional host site selection for the softball championship can default to the discretion of the committee regarding what a reasonable distance is.) find proposed budget forms online. The NCAA has implemented an online proposed 3. Is in the same city or a reasonable distance within the metropolitan area of both budget and financial report process. We request that prospective hosts no longer teams and one team, Team A, is designated as the home team and includes the game in complete hard copies of the proposed budget for this championship. The online version its season-ticket package and/or receives the gate sales from that contest. of the proposed budget and financial report form may be accessed on the NCAA Web site at http://www.ncaa.org/ champadmin/champ_budget/. Please note that the 8 9 online form is password protected. Your institution’s athletics director should have the necessary membership database username and password on file. Written instructions Determination of Competing on how to complete the automated forms are located at the site referenced above and on each sport-specific Web site in the Documents and Forms section. If you have any Institutions questions regarding the new process, please contact the NCAA liaison. The key contact and facility evaluation forms can also be found online. Both must be completed in their entirety to be considered. The forms will be available on the following dates: Championship Structure Available online Due at NCAA The championship provides for a field of 64 teams. Four teams will participate at March 1 April 30 each of sixteen regional sites in a double-elimination tournament. The sixteen teams [Reference: Dates and Sites and Budgets in the Division II General Section.] advancing from regional competition will participate in a two-team, best of three super regional at eight sites. Expense forms with instructions will be available Expense Reimbursement Form. The finals will include the eight super regional winners. on the NCAA Web site in the championships documents and forms section(www. ncaa. org). In addition, the travel handbook will no longer be published. Instead, individual Championship Selection documents outlining the travel policies for each championship will be made available [Reference: Championship Selection in this handbook and Bylaws 31.01.2, 31.01.3 and online with the reimbursement forms. All transportation to be paid or reimbursed by Championships Information 31.3 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] the Association must be arranged in accordance with the procedures outlined in these documents. It is out belief that this will eliminate many of the problems members have A team must have a .500 overall Division II record or above to be selected. Selection had in the past in understanding how the policies differ for each championship. of teams shall be completed the evening of Sunday, May 9. Forms can be mailed to the director of athletics of each competing institution, if they Institutions must enter all their team’s game results, starting with the first game. are unable to be accessed via the Web site. Please contact the NCAA travel department Updated game information must be entered weekly by Monday at 3 p.m. (ET). Failure (317/917-6757; e-mail; [email protected]), to receive hard copies of these documents. to comply with this request may eliminate the institution’s chances of being ranked or Teams or individuals should provide themselves sufficient money to meet all expenses selected for an at large bid. Ranking week is Monday through Sunday. throughout the tournament, including ground transportation, lodging and meal expenses The committee will select eight teams from each region to participate in the as well as other miscellaneous expenses. championship. [Reference: Official Traveling Party, Per Diem and Transportation in the Division II The committee shall have full authority to select the teams to compete in the respective General Section, and Bylaw 31.4.6 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] regional tournaments. Each conference shall appoint regional advisory committees to Financial Report Form. The financial report portion of the financial report and assist in evaluating teams, but recommendations of the advisory committee members proposed budget form from each championship site must be submitted to the NCAA are not binding on the committee. not later than 60 days after the conclusion of the competition. Host institutions will find the forms online. The softball committee may assess afi nancial penalty against an Primary Criteria institution that fails to submit the financial report within 60 days after the conclusion 1. In-region Division II strength of schedule (opponents’ average winning percentage and opponents’ opponents’ average winning percentage). of the competition. 2. In-region Division II won-lost results. [Reference: Bylaw 31.4 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] 3. Head-to-head competition. Automatic-Qualification Application Form. Applications for automatic qualification 4. In-region Division II non-conference won-lost record. are available on the NCAA Web site and are due annually by May 1. 5. Results versus top 10 teams (all regions) from the previous week’s ranking. Secondary Criteria 1. Overall Division II strength of schedule (opponents’ average winning percentage and opponents’ opponents’ average winning percentage). 2. Overall Division II won-lost results. 3. Results against in-region Division II teams .500 or better. 4. Results versus common opponents. 5. Performance on the road. 6. Late season performance (i.e. the last 15 games prior to the selection call).

10 11 In making bracket assignments, the closest geographical consideration will be used Game 5—Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 as well as the ability to separate conference opponents during regional competition. Day 3 Selection of teams shall be completed Sunday, May 9. Game 6—Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 Championship Formats Game 7—Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary) It should be noted that the pairing in the bracket may not be altered, and the game Site Selection. Sites will be determined based on site selection criteria that includes times during the tournament may not be adjusted. However, the host institution may quality, availability of facility (i.e., whether the site is capable of hosting event), play the last game on day one of the tournment regardless of seed. and revenue potential (e.g., a financial guarantee or guidelines that ensures fiscal For additional information regarding the regional bracket, please refer to Appendix responsibility and is appropriate for the event, as recommended by the governing sports D. committee and approved by the Division II Championships Committee). Attendance history and potential will be used as a secondary factor (see Appendix E for specific Two-Team Super Regional requirements). If the above criteria meet committee approval, the bid will be awarded The procedures outlined below shall be used in the conduct of all eight super regional to the two insitutions who submit a completed bid and best meet the selection criteria. competitions. Pairings. [Reference Bylaw 31.1.3 in the Division II Manual.] The super regional will be conducted in a two-day period beginning Friday, May

Pairings shall be based primarily on the teams’ seeding. Team’s geographical 21. All super regional competition should be completed not later than the Saturday Championships Information proximity may be taken into consideration when establishing pairings to one another in prior to finals [Exception (i.e., weather) may preclude the completion of competition order to avoid excessive travel in preliminary rounds whenever possible. Additionally, by Sunday]. the softball committee has received approval to assign teams from the same conference Super regionals will follow the inclement weather policy stated on page 12. to different regional competitions when completing pairings. Day 1 Four-Team Regionals. The procedures outlined below shall be used in the conduct of all sixteen softball regional competitions. Game 1—Team A vs. Team B The regionals will be conducted for a three-day period beginning Friday, May 14. Day 2 All regional competition should be completed no later than the Sunday prior to the Game 2—Team A vs. Team B super regionals. [Exception (i.e. weather) may preclude the completion of competion Game 3—(if necessary) by Sunday] If the regular game schedule is altered because of weather or unforeseen circumstances, the following guidelines may be used and teams will be informed by Automatic-Qualifying Conferences the NCAA representatives: (1) No more than three games by any one team will be [Reference: Bylaws 31.3.4 and 31.3.5 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] scheduled in one day; (2) If possible, games will not be scheduled to begin prior to 9 Conferences that have been granted automatic-qualification privileges for the 2010 a.m. or after midnight; (3) If competition cannot be completed Saturday, the last time championship are: to start a regional championship game (i.e. Games 6 and “if” 7) to complete regional California Collegiate Athletic Association finals is the Sunday immediately preceding the super regional at 11:59 p.m.; (4) If play Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is suspended before games 6 and 7 and the regional competition ceases, see the rain Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association delay advancement formula (page 17) outlined in this handbook. Prospective host institutions must submit recommended starting times for all games East Coast Conference with the pre-bid materials for approval by the Women’s Softball Committee. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference For all regional competitions the following procedure will be observed. Great Lakes Valley Conference Great Northwest Athletic Conference Day 1 Gulf South Conference Game 1—Team A vs. Team B Heartland Conference Game 2—Team C vs. Team D Lone Star Conference Day 2 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Game 3—Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 Northeast-10 Conference Game 4—Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 12 13 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Pacifc West Conference Instructions to Participants Peach Belt Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference South Atlantic Conference At the National Championships (not at regionals or super regionals) an all tournament Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team will be selected. Twelve players, including the most outstanding player will be Sunshine State Conference selected at large with no specific regard to position (i.e., a certain number of outfielders, West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. infielders, etc.) An all-tournament committee comprised of the NCAA Division II Softball Committee will conduct the balloting. [Reference: Awards in the Division II General Section and Bylaw: 31.1.10 in the NCAA Certification of Eligibility/Availability Manual.] [Reference: Certification of Eligibility/Availability in the Division II General Section Audio Coverage (Radio and Internet) and Bylaws 3.2.4, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] Please refer to the NCAA Broadcast Manual policies and guidelines that can be Only student-athletes eligible under Bylaws 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 may compete found on www.NCAA.com/broadcast. Championships Information in NCAA championships. In accordance with Bylaw 3.2.4, member institutions are required to certify the eligibility of their student-athletes before the beginning of each Awards academic year and to withhold ineligible student-athletes from all intercollegiate competition. Member institutions are reminded to notify the NCAA national office Official NCAA individual awards (26) will be provided to the members of the teams before the selection date for each championship of any student-athlete who may that advance to the finals site. The champion will receive first-place watches at the have participated in regular-season competition but subsequently is determined to be finals site. Participation awards will be provided to all student-athletes in uniform not ineligible or unavailable for NCAA championships competition. advancing to the championship. For the softball championships, the championships liaison must be notified before Ball the selection date, Sunday, May 9. The Worth NC12L (.47 COR or coefficient of restitution) is the official softball for the championships. Worth will supply balls for all championship rounds; no other softball shall be used. Bands and Mascots Bands shall be limited to 25 members, including one director, who are in uniform and performing at the competition sites shall be admitted via the game list furnished to the host by the participating institution’s administrative representative. The host institution must designate seating in the stadium to accommodate the bands with prior approval of the games committee. Bands shall be assigned seating that will not interfere with spectators, photographers or dugouts. At all tournament sessions, seating will be provided for the bands during games in which their team is not participating. Bands, or any component thereof, shall not play while the ball is live. Bands may play immediately prior to the team’s offensive half-inning (concluding with the fifth warm-up pitch) and for 10 seconds after a run is scored. During warm-up periods, bands and the public-address announcer will alternate playing music. Mascots are not allowed in the outfield area or the infield, before the eight-minute warm-ups begin. Once the game begins the mascot and/ or flag bearer must not obstruct the view of spectators.

14 15 Banners Length and Schedule of Games Competing institutions’ banners are not allowed on the playing field fence. They are All games shall be seven innings, except that a five-inning, eight-run rule will be used in all allowed outside the playing field, subject to the approval of the games committee and rounds of the championship. If play is stopped before a seven-inning game is completed host institution. Flags and banners should not obstruct the view of the fans. and the eight-run rule is not in effect, it shall resume at the point of interruption. Every attempt should be made to complete the regional and super regional competition by Credentials Sunday. Competition may go to Monday when the following occurs: (1) weather or The host institution is responsible for providing access to the facility for the 26 emergency situations which prevent completion of competition; (2) any one team has members of each official travel party, media, NCAA committee representatives, to play more than three games in a day; or (3) in order to complete competition by umpires and other game personnel. It is recommended that the official travel party Sunday it would be necessary to begin competition after midnight Sunday. be admitted via a pass list at a separate entrance and all others are issued a credential. If competition has to be extended to Monday it must be completed without starting a Anyone traveling with a team over 26 must purchase a ticket. game after midnight Monday (if the regional final begins before 11:59 p.m. and an “if Participant Seating. If it appears there will be a large crowd during the competition necessary” game becomes necessary to determine the regional champion, that game sessions, an area should be roped off for the teams to sit while they are not playing. If will immediately follow). a team chooses to sit outside the designated area, it must purchase a ticket for those The committee reserves the right to revise the game schedule because of inclement seats. weather. Championships Information Parking. A parking area for the participating teams and tournament officials (i.e. key All regionals should be completed by the Monday preceding the finals. Games game personnel, NCAA representative and umpires) should be designated. may be started up until 11:59 p.m. if the field is lighted. If the final regional game begins before 11:59 p.m. and an “if necessary” game becomes necessary to determine Determination of Home Team the regional champion, it will immediately follow. The committee reserves the right to For all regionals, super regionals, and finals competition, the home team will bat last revise the game schedule because of weather conditions. and occupy the third-base dugout. Regional. If inclement weather limits play, every effort has been made to complete Regionals. The higher seed will be the home team at the regional for games one and competition Sunday and competition cannot be completed by Monday the team that two. The remaining games shall be decided by the coin toss. The higher seed shall call will advance to finals will be based on the following: the toss. The winner of the coin toss shall have the option of choosing either home or 0 games played Highest seed away OR uniform color. 1 games played Highest seed Super Regionals. The home team for the first game will be the higher seeded team. The second game the home team will switch and game three (if necessary) will be 2 games played Highest seed undefeated seed determined by a coin toss (higher seed calls the coin toss) 3 games played Highest seed undefeated seed Finals. For all games at the championship, the team listed on the top half of the bracket 4 games played Highest seed shall call the coin toss. 5 games played Highest undefeated seed Drug Testing 6 games played Winner of game 6 unless each [Reference: Drug Testing in the Division II General Section and Bylaws 18.4.1.5 and team has one loss, therefore the 31.2.3 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] teams are tied, then: Student-athletes who compete in this championship may be subjected to drug tests in 1. Head-to-head competition; accordance with Bylaws 18.4.1.5 and 31.2.3, and may be determined to be ineligible as 2. Highest remaining seed; a result thereof. Only student-athletes who have consented in writing to such testing are 3. Run differential (runs scored initially eligible for this championship; and thereafter, student-athletes who are tested minus runs allowed, with a limit of shall remain eligible only if they test negative. eight runs maximum per game); Super Regional. If inclement weather limits play, and every effort has been to complete Facility Requirements competition Saturday and competition cannot be completed by Sunday, the team that Recommendations regarding facility requirements may be found in Appendix E. will advance to the finals will be based on the following:

16 17 0 games played Highest seed period will begin immediately after the presentation. In the regional, super regional 1 games played Winner of game 1 and championship final games, the interview order will be reversed such that the losing 2 games played If each team has a loss, the highest seed coach and players will be interviewed first followed by the winning coach and players. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in a misconduct violation. Lodging Regardless of regular-season radio or television contract(s), the coach is obligated The host institutions for the championships will be responsible for advising to the entire covering media during the championship and must report to the interview participating institutions of the available hotel and motel accommodations; however, room immediately after the 10-minute cooling-off period. The coach cannot delay a all arrangements must be made by the participating institutions except for finals post-competition interview with the covering media to conduct a program for a single competition. (11-13 doubles per team plus two singles per team). In addition, please newspaper, radio or television reporter, unless requested to remain for a short interview reserve one single for the site representative (regionals and super regionals) or nine (not to exceed four minutes) by the television entity that has been granted television singles for the NCAA committee (finals). rights by NCAA Productions. If an institution does not wish to stay at the designated hotel, it must contact the Coaches cannot make themselves available to selected media representatives before hotel by 2 p.m. (local time of host) on Monday preceding competition and obtain a the conclusion of the 10-minute cooling-off period (i.e., no one-on-one interviews before written release of the reserved from the hotel management or use the rooms for persons the postgame interview session). They may, however, open their dressing rooms and/ accompanying the official party. Failure to make satisfactory arrangement will result in or report to the interview area before the cooling-off period ends, and make themselves the room charges being deducted from the team’s per diem. available to all media representatives staffing the championship. Should a coach permit Championships Information It is strongly recommended that the host institution for regional and championship one media agency to enter the cooling-off area before the 10-minute cooling-off period competition secure separate housing for competing teams and the NCAA representatives/ has ended, the area shall be opened to all other media representatives desiring access. officials. The NCAA championships have an “open locker room policy,” which is administered by the media coordinator on site. Media Arrangements All coaches and student-athletes must be made available for post-competition [Reference: Publicity and Promotion in this handbook.] interviews following the “cooling off” period. This not only applies to formal press conferences, but also to any interview requests made to coaches and/or student-athletes Media Credentials. The NCAA shall control the issuance of media credentials for not involved in the press conference. Failure to do so may result in possible misconduct, each of its championships. Subject to limitations of space, media credentials shall be as determined by the respective sport committee. assigned in accordance with the following priorities: (1) campus media certified by the director of athletics and/or sports information director of each participating and host Photographers/Videographers. Photographers are not permitted in front of the institution, (2) certified media from the immediate locale of the championship or the dugout any time after the competition begins. Photographers may work unrestricted on immediate locale of the competing teams, and (3)other certified media. the playing field and in the dugout area after a game, but must quickly clear the playing field to permit the next teams to begin warm-up preparations. No hand-held strobe Credentials will not be issued to representatives of any organization that regularly lights are permissible. Any special request for the placement of a camera or working publishes, broadcasts or otherwise promotes the advertising of “tout sheets” or “tip position at a finals site shall be made to the media coordinator. sheets” or other advertising designed to encourage gambling on college sports events. In addition, credentials will not be issued to representatives of telephone reporting Medical Arrangements services and professional sports organizations. Each scheduled practice or contest of any round of an NCAA championship should Other conditions for obtaining media credentials may be implemented, based on the include the following: circumstances at the championship site. These conditions must be approved before the 1. The presence on site of a person qualified and delegated to render emergency care to competition by the committee. a stricken participant. Microphones. The placement of microphones on a team coach or in team huddles and 2. The presence or planned access to a physician for prompt medical evaluation of the dugout areas is prohibited at all NCAA championships. situation, when warranted. Post-competition Interviews. Immediately after a 10-minute cooling-off period 3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and (i.e., 10 minutes after the game or once teams leave the dugout), the winning coach transportation between the athletics site and the medical facility for prompt medical services, when warranted. Access to a working telephone or other telecommunications and requested players will be available to the media in an interview area open to all device, whether fixed or mobile should be assured. certified members of the news media; any coach and student-athletes requested by the 4. All necessary emergency equipment should be at the site or quickly accessible. media will be available for interviews. The losing coach and requested players will Equipment should be in good operation condition, and personnel must be trained in follow. If a team or individual is participating in an awards ceremony, the cooling-off advance to use it properly. Additionally, emergency information about the student- 18 19 athlete should be available at home and on the road for use by medical personnel. the selection announcement to, en route to, from or at the locale of the competition or 5. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of the visiting teams, practice that discredits the event or intercollegiate athletics. of the personnel and procedures associated with the medical plan. Criticism of Offcials. Members of the coaching staff or other representatives of Meetings participating institutions or conferences shall not make statements critical of officiating in any NCAA championship event. Failure to comply with this policy may subject the [Reference: Misconduct in the Division II General Section, and Bylaws 31.02.3 and individual, institution or conference to the misconduct provisions of Bylaw 31.1.10. Bylaw: 31.1.8 in the NCAA Manual.] Pre-Tournament Coaches/Administrators Meeting. A mandatory meeting of the National Anthem head coaches, umpire-in-chief and members of the games committee will be held The “Star-Spangled Banner” shall be played before each session; if there is more before the start of the tournament. The athletics director, senior woman administrator, than one session per day, then the “Star-Spangled Banner” shall be played once per day or designated assistant or associate athletics director is required to attend the pre- (before the first session of the day). tournament meeting and all competition at all rounds in which the team participates. This person cannot be acting in a dual capacity as an individual member of the coaching News, Media, Press Conferences and Satellite Feeds staff, sports information director, or athletic training staff. The sports information Press Conferences and Interviews. Please refer to the NCAA Broadcast Manual director may attend the meeting but cannot be the designated administrator. A $200 policies and guidelines that can be found on www.NCAA.com/broadcast. fine will be assessed for noncompliance with this policy. Championships Information At the pretournament meeting, the chair of the games committee shall acquaint the Official Scorer head coaches of the competing teams with the provisions of Bylaw: 31.1.8, which govern The official scorer for each game shall be appointed by the tournament director, and misconduct by student-athletes and/or representatives of competing institutions. the duties are outlined in the NCAA Softball Rules. The official scorer will receive $25 Umpires Meeting. The umpire-in-chief will conduct an umpires meeting prior to the per game. start of the tournament. Games Committee Meeting. Please refer to the Division II General Section for a Official Traveling Party complete description of the games committee meeting. This meeting must include but Transportation expenses will be provided for an official traveling party of 26 is not limited to the tournament director, institutional administrator, umpire-in-chief persons. and NCAA representative. The meeting may also include sports information director, umpires, grounds crew director and sports medicine staff. Practice Schedule Sports Information Directors Meeting. A mandatory meeting for sports information It is suggested that practice be arranged on a field other than the tournament field directors will be held the day before competition begins at the Division II Softball in the event that more than one game is to be played on a given day. All teams should Championship. be accorded practice facilities of equal quality beginning with the day immediately preceding the tournament and during the tournament. Each team will be permitted a Merchandise maximum of ten minutes of shared warm-up. Teams selected to participate in NCAA championships will be given the opportunity For regionals/super regionals, competing teams must be allowed to practice on the to preorder first round event merchandise online through the official NCAA souvenir game field for a maximum of one hour on the day preceding play, weather permitting. merchandiser, Event 1, Inc. On selection, teams will be given the information to place Regionals/Super Regionals/Finals. Practice will not be allowed on the game field orders. These team orders will be shipped directly to the institution the week after first- beginning on the day of the opening game so that it may be prepared for competition. round competition. Questions regarding online team ordering process may be directed Practice will be scheduled for all teams on adjoining fields. All practices on the game to Gina Taylor at Event 1 at 888/745-3058. field will be closed, facility permitting. Practices cannot be used for scouting. Misconduct Programs and Promotion [Reference: Misconduct in the Division II General Section, and Bylaw 31.1.10 in the [Reference: Publicity and Promotion and Advertising in the Division II General Division II NCAA Manual.] Section and Bylaw 31.6.3 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] Misconduct in an NCAA championship is any act of dishonesty, unsportsmanlike IMG College will be responsible for all program production including layout and conduct, unprofessional behavior or breach of law occurring incident from the time of design, advertising, printing, vending and distribution to the championship sites. All items will be reviewed and approved by the NCAA. The championship host does not 20 21 need to include expenses or revenues for programs in the proposed championship The sports information director of the host institution will provide to the sports budget. information directors of the competing teams a listing of the news outlets to which IMG College will work with the championship host to determine if a local advertising publicity materials are to be directed and shall indicate how each visiting director representative should be hired to sell ads for the specific program. Some programs will may assist in the promotion of the tournament. Further, host SIDs are responsible for not include local ads. In addition, IMG College will: sending information to www.NCAA.com during the championship. The following 1. Send NCAA advertising guidelines as needed. should be included: 2. Contact the appropriate sports information director to obtain the required team Game score information. Score by inning 3. Handle vending and distribution of the programs. A representative of IMG College will Box score contact the championship host with additional information. Recap story If your team is eligible to participate in the championship, the sports information Game photos (submit in appropriate digital format) director of that institution should rush appropriate information to Dan King, IMG College., 904 North Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky 40505 (phone: 859/226-4588; Rules e-mail: [email protected]). Per NCAA Bylaw 17.32, member institutions shall conduct all of their intercollegiate competition in accordance with the playing rules of the Association in all sports for

Appropriate information would include: media guides, roster (including name, Championships Information position, uniform numbers, class, hometown, etc.), season record (including game which the NCAA develops playing rules. For those sports where the Association scores in order played), statistics, a team picture and a brief summary of the team’s follows rules developed by other governing bodies and modified by the governing season. sports committee, the adopted playing rules shall be used. The softball committee will not consider any results for selection purposes not played in accordance with the Questions regarding championship programs should be directed to Amanda Williams NCAA Softball Rules book. at the NCAA national office (317/917-6222, [email protected]), or Dan King at IMG College (859/226-4588). For NCAA Championship play, the NCAA Softball Rules shall be followed, with the following changes or modifications: NCAA souvenir programs are divided into three categories: individual programs, preliminary programs and program guides. Regional competition and the national 1. The complex must be enclosed so that admission can be charged. championship site shall receive program guides. 2. The field must have a skinned infield. There must be 25 feet (maximum 30 feet) from home plate to the backstop. The backstop, sideline fence and outfield fence must Program Guides. Program guides include specific team information and NCAA completely enclose the playing field. These guidelines are recommended. informational pages. Pre-determined final championship sites will receive one 3. If you use a portable fence to meet requirements, it must be a minimum of 190 feet in complimentary editorial page on the host’s choice of the following topics: host left and right felds and a minimum of 200 feet in center feld. The distance to the home- institution, host city and host facility. run fence should be a maximum of 225 feet in all felds. All portable fencing must be secured so as to prevent balls from rolling under. The program guide may include NCAA champion and/or partner ads. For pre- determined sites, IMG College will work with the host institution to determine if a local 4. The international tiebreaker will not be used in championships play. advertising representative should be hired to sell ads for a specific program. NCAA 5. The 8-run rule will not be used in the national championship game. advertising guidelines will be sent by IMG College as needed. Note: Please refer to Appendix E for more information. All program pages are subject to NCAA approval. Guidelines are subject to NCAA Sportsmanship changes. All competing teams must line up on the baseline during the introduction of coaches Protest Procedure and teams. Participants must go directly to the baseline during team introductions without touching any bases or home plate. Please refer to the 2010 NCAA Softball Rules Book, Rule 7-2, which outlines protest procedures for NCAA championships play. Squad Size Publicity and Promotion [Reference: Official Traveling Party, Uniforms in this handbook and Per Diem and Transportation in the Division II General Section]. The NCAA Division II Softball Committee request that participating institutions cooperate in providing publicity and program materials to tournament managers at the Each team is limited to 20 eligible players in uniform and an official traveling party earliest possible moment. of 26.

22 23 After a regional has begun, no changes may be made in a team roster for any reason. as banquets, autograph sessions, press conferences and postgame interviews. Student- This procedure also will be followed at the super regionals and finals, although the athletes, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who use tobacco products during same players need not be designated for regional play and finals competition. practice or competition shall be ejected for the remainder of practice or competition. The number of people allowed in the dugout shall not exceed 26. Violations of this policy may be dealt with by the appropriate sports committee in accordance with the misconduct provisions in Bylaw 31.1.10. An institution that is advised it is in violation of this regulation and does not promptly conform to it automatically shall forfeit the competition. There shall be no inordinate Umpires delay of the contest to allow a competing institution to conform to the rule. All umpires will be assigned by the national committee based on recommendations There will be no exceptions regarding this section. from the National Umpire Coordinator. Starting Times The umpiring crew shall be dressed alike in powder blue, short-sleeve, pullover shirts (major league style button placket with navy and white trim); navy slacks and Starting times for regionals/super regionals will be determined by the host socks; and a plain navy cap. The ball bag must be navy, and a jacket and/or sweater institutions,but not before 11 a.m. subject to the approval of the NCAA representative must be completely navy blue, and shoes and belt must be black. A T-shirt is optional to and the tournament format outlined on pages 11-13 of this handbook will be followed. wear under the powder blue shirt; however, if one is worn it must be white. For all divisions, game times should be set two-and-one-half hours (2.5) apart and The four best available umpires within driving distance, when possible, must follow the championship format on pages 11-13 of this handbook. The Division Regionals: Championships Information II Softball Committee shall determine game times for the finals. of the site will be chosen for regional games by the National Umpire Coordinator. The NCAA Division II Championships Committee has approved, if necessary, eight Sunday Competition flights to ensure that quality umpires are available for the preliminary round. Regional umpires will receive a flat fee of $600, plus $45 per diem, transportation and lodging, Only Sunday games that affect teams with waivers will be rescheduled. if needed. Television Rights and Footage Licensing Super Regionals: Three qualified umpires will be assigned to all regional games. Super regional umpires will receive a flat fee of $500, plus $45 per diem, transportation Please refer to the NCAA Broadcast Manual policies and guidelines that can be and lodging, if needed. If different umpires are assigned to the continuation of a found on www.NCAA.com/broadcast. suspended game, the umpiring fee will be divided equally among the officials. Tickets Finals: The committee shall select a pool of six umpires who are all approved for [Reference: Tickets in the Division II General Section and Bylaw 31.1.11 in the Division air travel. These umpires will be selected based on recommendations from National II NCAA Manual.] Umpire Coordinator. The finals umpires will receive a flat fee of $900. An umpire-in- chief will be designated as well; this individual will receive a $900 honorarium. All Ticket prices may be scaled according to seat location, but the following minimum umpires must be approved by the softball committee. prices shall prevail: Student/ Travel/Per Diem. Travel expenses for the officials will be paid according to the actual Sr. Citizen mode of transportation, not to exceed jet coach air fare or 50 cents per mile, but not General Special Children including terminal or other local transportation (maximum of 1,000 miles roundtrip). Reserved Admission Groups Under 12* Officials who receive approval for air transportation must make flight arrangements Regionals/ — $5 $3 $2 through the NCAA travel service, Short’s Travel, 866/655-9215. Super Hotel expenses (excluding incidentals) for officials required to stay overnight at the Regionals championship site shall be paid by the host institution and later reimbursed by the Finals — $10 $6 $3 NCAA. Officials will receive a $45 per diem allowance for meals and incidentals for each day of the championship, beginning with the day of arrival and ending with the *If accompanied by an adult. Children under 2 shall be admitted free of charge. day of departure. Officials not required to remain overnight at the site also shall receive Tobacco Ban a per diem of $45. Policies. A sports committee or games committee may not require membership in The use of tobacco products by student-athletes, managers, coaches, umpires and any specific officials association as a prerequisite for selection to officiate in an NCAA athletic trainers is prohibited while on site for practice and competition. For the meet or tournament. Officials shall be selected and assigned by the sports committee or purpose of this rule , the field, bullpens, dugouts, and the press box (or official scoring games committee, which shall ensure that officials adhere to the Association’s policies area) is considered to be on site-as well as during other championship activities such 24 25 relating to gambling activities and drug and alcohol use. Furthermore, officials must Videotaping conduct themselves in a manner befitting intercollegiate athletics. Failure to do so may result in termination of the officiating assignment. Teams may videotape their games only. Videotaping for scouting purposes is not allowed. Parents and spectators may videotape games from anywhere in the stands Uniforms without signing a release form or obtaining prior approval from the NCAA. [Reference: Bylaw 12.5.4 in the Division II NCAA Manual.] Each competing team selected for the NCAA championships must bring two sets of uniforms of different colors. For games 1 through 4 the visiting team shall have choice of uniform. The home team is expected to wear a different color jersey. For games 5 through 11, the winner of the coin toss will have the choice of home or visitor OR uniform color. As a reminder, when teams play back-to-back games, they must be prepared to change uniforms, if necessary. The home team may not wear the same color as the visiting team. Determination of uniform colors must be approved by the NCAA representative. For all sessions of the tournament teams must bring light and dark uniforms. On the field, including the practice areas and the bench and dugout, each team is Championships Information limited to eligible players in uniform and coaches, trainers and managers, all of whom shall be in appropriate team colors. Patches. Patches should be placed on the upper left sleeve. Logos. During its April 1994 meeting, the NCAA Council used the provisions of NCAA Constitution 5.3.1.1.1 (noncontroversial amendment) to amend the provisions of Bylaw 12.5.4-(b) to indicate that an institution’s official uniform and all other items of apparel (e.g., socks, headbands, T-shirts, wristbands, visors or hats, swim caps and towels) that are worn by student-athletes in competition may bear a single manufacturer’s or distributor’s normal trademark, not to exceed 21/4 square inches, including any additional material (e.g., patch) surrounding the normal trademark or logo. The logo or trademark must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (i.e., rectangle, square, parallelogram). This restriction applies to championship practice sessions as well. In addition, an institution’s official uniform cannot bear a design element similar to the manufacturer’s that is in addition to another logo or that is contrary to the size restriction. A student-athlete representing an institution in intercollegiate competition is limited to wearing apparel items that include only the logo (not to exceed 21/4 square inches) of an apparel manufacturer or distributor. The student-athlete may not wear any apparel that identifies any other entity, other than the student-athlete’s institution. These restrictions apply to all apparel worn by student-athletes during the conduct of competition, which includes any practice, pregame or postgame activities. This bylaw will be strictly enforced at all NCAA championships, and the names of individuals and institutions that are not in compliance with this bylaw shall be forwarded to the NCAA enforcement staff.

26 27 South Central Appendix A Kevin Blaskowski, West Texas A&M University, chair Amy Coulter, St. Edward’s University Regional Advisory Committees Donna Fields, St. Mary’s University Atlantic Carmen Leeds, Emporia State University Kristen Decker, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, chair Melanie Robotham, Lonestar State Conference Felicia Johnson, Virginia Union University Jeanne Scarpello, University of Nebraska, Omaha Peg Kauffman, Millersville University West Herb Minch, West Liberty State College Pam Knox, Western Oregon University Bren Stevens, University of Charleston Cristina Byrne, San Francisco State University Steve Wallace, Saint Paul’s College Bob Hogue, Pacific West Conference Central Dexter Irvin, University of Hawaii at Hilo Lori Meyer, Minnesota State University Mankato, chair Krista Montague, Montana State-Billings Greg Jones, Winona State University Hung Tsai, Cal State Stanislaus Kris Mort, Mesa State College Scott Peterson, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs East Laura Liesman, Georgian Court University, chair Jamie Apicella, C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University Rocco Constantino, Bloomfield College Brian DeMasters, Queens College Scot Obergefell, The College of Saint Rose Jen Starek, University of New Haven Midwest Lisa Sweany, Grand Valley State University, chair Rob Fournier, Wayne State University Tamie Falk-Day, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Missy Frost-Fisher, University of Indianapolis South TBD, chair Chris Bellotto, Florida Southern University Donna Crone, Christian Brothers University Terence Palmer, Paine College Patrick Peasant, Clark Atlantic University Les Stuedeman, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Southeast Appendices Jimmy Martin, , chair Elizabeth Burris, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Fred Gillum, Tusculum College Jaclyn Kaylor, Georgia Southwestern State University Jerry Snyder, University of Aiken David Williams, Mars Hill College

28 29 Appendix B Appendix C All times are local. *Denotes host institution T eam listed on the top of bracket calls coin flip.

1 3 2 4 TBD, May 15 TBD, May 14 TBD, May 14 loser gm 2 loser gm 1 Game 1 Game Game 2 Game Game 4 Game TBD, May 15 winner gm 2 gm winner 1 gm winner 2010 NCAA 2010 TBD, May 15 winner gm 4 gm winner loser gm 3 Game 3 Game Game 5 Game Division II Softball Championship Regional Bracket

Regional Sites TBD, May 16 winner gm 5 gm winner winner gm 3 gm winner

Game 6 Game (If necessary) TBD, May 16 Game 7 Game Appendices Advancing T eam eam

30 31 Appendix D TBD, May 22 TBD, May 21 Division II Regional Rotation Final Pairings Game 2 Game 1 Game 2010 Game 1 Southeast versus East 2010 NCAA 2010 Game 2 South versus Atlantic Game 3 Midwest versus West Game 4 South Central versus Central (If necessary)

TBD, May 22 2011 Game 1 West versus East Game 2 Midwest versus Central Division II Softball Championship Regional Bracket Game 3 South Central versus Atlantic Game 4 South versus South Central Game 3 Game 2012 Game 1 Central versus Atlantic Game 2 West versus South Super Regional Sites Game 3 Midwest versus East Game 4 South Central versus Southeast Advancing 2013 Game 1 Central versus Southeast Game 2 East versus South Game 3 Midwest versus Atlantic T

eam Game 4 South Central versus West

2014 Game 1 Atlantic versus Southeast Game 2 East versus South Central Game 3 Midwest versus South Game 4 Central versus West

2015 Game 1 South versus South Central Game 2 Midwest versus Southeast

Game 3 Atlantic versus West Appendices Game 4 East versus Central 2016 Game 1 Midwest versus South Central Game 2 Southeast versus West Game 3 South versus Central Game 4 Atlantic versus East

32 33 • A tarp, where applicable, should be available for inclement weather. The tarp crew Appendix E should be prepared for tarping the entire field on short notice, and be able to accomplish this without the assistance of participating teams. • Guidelines for field maintenance by the grounds crew. Facility Requirements for Division II Softball Championship Hosts Mark field in accordance with all applicable NCAA softball rules. The facilities used in the Division II Softball Championship must meet the Drag infield. requirements listed in the 2010 NCAA Softball Rules Book as well as the ones listed Level out batter’s boxes and pitcher’s area. below. Water batter’s boxes and pitcher’s area, if necessary. Required Re-mark batter’s boxes and foul lines as necessary. Playing Area: Rake to improve field of play as needed. •The distance of the outfield fence shall not exceed 220 feet. Outfield fences shall be a Clean dugouts. minimum of 190 feet in left and right fields. For Division II, a fence 200 feet all around, Clean stadium. if permanent, is acceptable. If a portable fence is used, it must be placed at a distance A electronic scoreboard and public address system of 190 feet in left and right fields and 220 feet in center field. All portable fencing must be secured to prevent balls from rolling under. If a host’s outfield fence does not (including a backup, if possible,) conform to 190 feet in right and left fields and 220 in center field and a portable fence Mark in catcher’s box. has to be used, portable pieces of fence may be used in the areas of the field where Tarp the field as appropriate or directed by the committee representative. the field distance requirement has not been met (i.e., if the center field fence is 225 The field lines must be 4 inches in width. feet but the lines are 190 feet, a piece of fence may be brought in the center field area • National championship site must use a six-foot, non-collapsible outfield fence. to bring center field into compliance). It is not necessary to surround the entire field with a portable fence. • Foul poles must extend vertically upward at the point it intersects the home-run • If due to inclement weather, it is determined by the NCAA representative in consultation fence. The color of the foul pole should be white or yellow. with the Division II Softball Committee Chair and NCAA liaison, games can be moved Facility: to a different field other than the one described in the bid process. If this move occurs, • The facility must be enclosed in order to charge admission and minimum seating ALL remaining games MUST be played on the back-up field. should provide no fewer than 500 unobstructed seats. • It is required to have a six-foot, non-collapsible fence in the outfield for the finals. The • Concessions and an athletic training facility must be available on site. If permanent fence may not exceed 220 feet, minimum of 190 feet in the left and right fields. For the facilities are not available, tents may be used to meet this requirement. regional and super regionals, permanent fencing is recommended but not required. • Adequate restrooms must be on site (portable or permanent) within 100 ft of the • Vertical backstop (with no hood), outfield fences and permanent sideline fences must facility. enclose the playing field. • An electronic scoreboard and public address system (including a backup, if possible,) • The infield must be skinned. The outfield must be grass or artificial turf. must be available. • The distance from home plate to the backstop must be a minimum of 25 feet (maximum • A tournament hospitality room should be available. Also, designate an umpires’ lounge 30 feet). for regionals and finals. • Dugout must accommodate 26 persons. Provide cups, water, ice and trash can in • Designate a scorer’s table. Allow seating for NCAA committee, umpires and liaison each dugout. Should be cleaned after each game. (15) on field and in press box. If possible, cover scorer’s table with bunting or other • Dugouts must be covered and enclosed from the spectators. A temporary cover is appropriate material. permissible. • Designate a telephone number for teams to call for schedule/field condition updates in • The banned bat list should be in each dugout. Several copies should be made the event of inclement weather. available. Color copies are preferred. • All on-site corporate signage must be covered. • A designated, restricted and comparable area for stretching and throwing only will be • Adequate parking must be available on site for teams, tournament personnel and provided to teams in the immediate proximity to the playing field.

umpires. Designated parking for NCAA liaison and umpires. Appendices • Bullpens must be similar in composition (dirt preferred) and similar in proximity from • Locker rooms are not required. However, if the home team has a locker room, a each dugout. Pitchers for subsequent games may have access to bullpens with priority comparable area must also be provided for the visiting teams. given to the game in progress. • Hosts must provide in its participant manual, a list of equipment available to all teams • Foul poles must extend vertically upward at the point it intersects the home run fence. (i.e., screens, pitching machines, etc.) as well as a list of off-campus and/or rainy-day/ The foul pole must be white or yellow. indoor facilities. • Priority will be give to hosts with lighted fields (or access to lighted fields), all other • Sign stating that all practices are closed. criteria being equal. Recommendation: 150 foot candles in the infield and outfield. • Two front toss screens for teams to use during practice and warm-ups must be 34 35 provided. • A four-foot seating buffer must extend around the field where applicable. Appendix F Athletic Training: • Towels must be available for teams and umpires For information on institutions that sponsor Division II softball by region, please go • Designate drug testing area should championship be selected. to www.NCAA.org, under Sports, Spring, Sponsoring Institutions, Regions. • NCAA cups and coolers must be used at all times at the finals. For regionals and super regionals, plain cups and coolers must be used or covered. Media: • Designate photo areas, coin flip area and team seating area. • A covered interview area must be provided in a relatively quiet area (i.e., not in close proximity to player or media hospitality) that is secure and secluded from spectators and player hospitality. • A covered three-sided press area must be provided. • A minimum of two phone lines must be available for use at press row (radio/internet/ phone/fax) if wireless access is not available on-site. • A minimum of one phone line is recommended for use at press row (radio/internet/ phone/fax) if wireless access is available on-site. Security: • Implement security measures for restricted access areas (locker rooms, press area, hospitality, etc.) • Implement crowd control procedures. At least one uniformed security guard should be at the facility during competition. Auxiliary: • Personnel to shag balls during games. • Designate an area for sale of championship merchandise. • Appropriate maintenance staff must be on call throughout the championship, and a cleaning staff, for all areas of the facility (e.g., restroom, stands, dugouts, concession area, etc.), is required to clean facility at least twice daily. Appendices

36 37