No one needed any extra motivation in the Women’s College World Series. But there’s been something to sweeten the deal for teams at the beginning of the tournament this year—win, and you’re guaranteed the next day off.
The WCWS previously had seven days to crown a champion from eight teams in Oklahoma City each year. But coaches pushed for change after a scheduling mess in 2021, sparked by a rain delay, which highlighted just how little flexibility was built into the tournament. The NCAA responded this year by extending the WCWS to nine days. It’s a change that allows for some wiggle room in the event of bad weather and takes away the need for a team to play a doubleheader if it loses on Day 1. And there’s a benefit for a team who opens the tournament by cruising—the chance to lock in some early days off.
“It just gives us a chance to recover, take a breath, stay out of the sun, get our pitchers recovered. It's a time to prepare,” Oklahoma second baseman Tiare Jennings said after the Sooners beat Texas on Saturday to earn a day off Sunday. “I think the day off definitely has helped us for sure. I really like the adjustment to this tournament.”
