The NCAA Division I Softball Committee announced Monday the eight regional sites for the 2004 NCAA Championship, but LSU was not one of them.
Despite a 49-9 record, including a 22-6 Southeastern Conference record and No. 3 national ranking, the Tigers failed to earn a hosting bid for the third straight year.
Teams hosting regionals this season include Arizona, Baylor, UCLA, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska and Stanford.
Of the eight teams set to host, two teams are currently not in the USA Softball/ESPN Top 10, including Nebraska at No. 13 and Baylor at No. 21.
LSU’s last home regional took place in 2001, the same year the Tigers advanced to the Women’s College World Series.
Sophomore Camille Harris said Baton Rouge is a great place to host a regional matchup.
“We’re ranked pretty high,” Harris said. “We’ve got nice facilities. It’s a perfect place to hold regionals.”
According to an NCAA News Release, “Site selections were based on geographic location, quality of facilities and quality of the experience for the student-athletes.”
LSU boasts one of the newest fields in the nation in Tiger Park, which was built in 1996.
Three NCAA Regional tournaments have been held in Tiger Park since 1997.
Although the NCAA Division I Softball Committee has a list of guidelines to follow, Harris said deciding on host teams may involve other factors.
“It may have to deal with coach’s politics,” Harris said. “Things that the players don’t really know about.”
Harris added LSU’s ranking should have played a role in the decision making.
“You’d think we should have been in the running [to host an NCAA Regional,]” Harris said.
Senior center fielder LaDonia Hughes also said not getting a bid bothers her.
“[Not getting a Regional bid] is pretty harsh,” Hughes said. “Especially being the No. 3 team in the country. I think it’s a slap in the face.”
The at-large teams, as well as the top-eight national seeds, will not be released until Sunday, May 16. Regional games are set to begin Thursday, May 20.
Although the players will have to go on the road in order to return to the WCWS, Hughes said they are a better team away from home.
“I think we play better on the road,” Hughes said. “We basically swept on the road.”
Of the nine games the Tigers have lost this year, seven of the nine came in Baton Rouge. On the road, however, LSU is nearly undefeated with a record of 16-1 on the road. LSU’s ninth loss came on a neutral site in Las Vegas.
Hughes said playing is better for the team.
“We seem more together on the road,” Hughes said. “You wouldn’t think that’s how it is rather than being at home.”
With geographic location as one of the guidelines for determining regional sites, LSU’s closest site to travel to would be Waco, Texas, home of the Baylor Bears.
While Hughes may believe playing on the road can benefit the team, Harris said competing away from home is never easy.
“Going away is a challenge,” Harris said. “It’s not like playing at home.”
LSU’s first road challenge will begin next Thursday when the Tigers take on South Carolina in the first game of the SEC Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“As long as we play Tiger softball, we should be able to beat anybody, anywhere,” Harris said.
Softball fails to receive bid to host NCAA Regional
May 3, 2004