2020 NCAA Division I softball season explained
2020 NCAA Division I softball season |
Duration: | February 6 – March 12, 2020 (cancellation) |
No Of Teams: | 286 |
Preseason1: | Alabama (USA Softball/ESPN, D1S); (NFCA, SA); UCLA (FloSoftball) |
Defendingchampions: | UCLA |
Tv: | ESPN & ESPN+ |
Tournament Link: | 2020 NCAA Division I softball tournament |
Tournament: | NCAA Tournament |
Tourneyduration: | not held |
Wcwsduration: | not held |
Wcws Link: | 2020 Women's College World Series |
Wcws: | Women's College World Series |
Mopteam: | UCLA |
Prevseason Year: | 2019 |
Nextseason Year: | 2021 |
The 2020 NCAA Division I Softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began February 6, 2020. The season ended on March 12, 2020, when the NCAA cancelled all winter championships and spring sports seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.[1] The 2020 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 2020 Women's College World Series, which were to be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, did not occur.
Coronavirus impact and cancellation
As of March 12, 2020, the NCAA cancelled both the remainder of the season and the tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.[2]
As of 2021, all Division I softball players were given another year of eligibility due to the restraints and cancellations from the coronavirus pandemic. Each player is given the option to use their extra year of eligibility or not.
Ballpark changes
- The 2020 season was the first for Virginia at Palmer Park, replacing The Park. The team played its first game there on March 3 against James Madison.
- The 2020 season was the first for Clemson at Clemson Softball Stadium, and its first season altogether.
Season outlook
Conference standings
- Note: Records as of cancellation of season on March 12, 2020.
Awards
Miranda Elish, Texas[8]
Megan Faraimo, UCLA[9]
Maya Brady, UCLA[10]
Sis Bates, Washington[11]
Coaching changes
This table lists programs that changed head coaches at any point from the first day of the 2020 season until the day before the first day of the 2021 season.[12]
Team | Former coach | Interim coach | New coach | Reason |
---|
California | Diane Ninemire | Tammy Lohmann | | On March 4, 2020, Longtime Cal head coach Diane Ninemire steps down after 32 years for health reasons. Associate head coach Tammy Lohmann will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[13] |
Minnesota | Jamie Trachsel | | Piper Ritter | On April 23, 2020, Ole Miss hired Jamie Trachsel as their head coach.[14] On May 3, 2020, Minnesota announced the hiring of pitching coach Piper Ritter as their new head coach.[15] |
Ole Miss | Ruben Felix | | Jamie Trachsel | On April 23, 2020, Ole Miss hired Minnesota head coach Jamie Trachsel as their head coach replacing interim coach Ruben Felix.[16] | |
See also
Notes and References
- NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships due to coronavirus concerns. NCAA. 12 March 2020. 12 March 2020.
- NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships. March 12, 2020. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Web site: USA TODAY/NFCA DIVISION I TOP 25 COACHES POLL (PRESEASON) . NFCA.org . National Fastpitch Coaches Association . 28 January 2020.
- Web site: ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200129200339/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/College-Corner/2020-College-Corner/Top-25-Polls/Preseason . dead . January 29, 2020 . TeamUSA.org . United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee . 29 January 2020.
- Web site: 2020 D1Softball Preseason Top 25 Rankings . D1Softball.com . D1Softball . 28 January 2020.
- Web site: 2020 Preseason D-I Top 25 . SoftballAmerica.com . Baseball America Enterprises . 28 January 2020.
- Web site: 2020 FloSoftball Preseason Top 25 Division I Rankings . FloSoftball.com . FloSports, Inc. . 11 February 2020.
- Web site: 2020 NCAA Player Of The Year: Miranda Elish . softballamerica.com . April 8, 2020 . June 21, 2021.
- Web site: 2020 NCAA Pitcher Of The Year: Megan Faraimo . softballamerica.com . April 9, 2020 . June 21, 2021.
- Web site: 2020 NCAA Freshman Player of the Year: Maya Brady . softballamerica.com . April 15, 2020 . June 21, 2021.
- Web site: 2021 NCAA Defensive Player Of The Year: Sis Bates . softballamerica.com . June 16, 2021 . June 21, 2021.
- Web site: 2019 COACHING TRANSACTIONS . NFCA.org . National Fastpitch Coaches Association . 23 June 2019.
- Web site: Diane Ninemire Steps Down As Cal Softball Coach . CalBears.com . Cal Athletics . 4 March 2020.
- Maren_Angus. 1253498103774273536. April 23, 2020. BREAKING NEWS: Jamie Trachsel has accepted the Ole Miss coaching job. AD Keith Carter has a meeting with the team tonight..
- Web site: Piper Ritter Announced as New Head coach. GopherSports.com . Minnesota Athletics . May 3, 2020.
- Maren_Angus. 1253498103774273536. April 23, 2020. BREAKING NEWS: Jamie Trachsel has accepted the Ole Miss coaching job. AD Keith Carter has a meeting with the team tonight..