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NCAA expected allow 100 percent capacity for baseball and softball championships

By Ethan Lee

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 26: Pitcher Mason Hickman #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game three of the College World Series Championship Series on June 26, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 26: Pitcher Mason Hickman #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game three of the College World Series Championship Series on June 26, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA is reportedly looking to open the 2021 NCAA baseball and softball tournaments to 100 percent capacity, pending local and state guidelines.

According to a report by D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers, the NCAA is apparently set to allow for 100 percent capacity at college baseball and softball games during the NCAA Tournaments.

Previously, the NCAA limited fan attendance during the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament and 2021 NCAA Baseball Tournament to 50 percent as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But now, as the college softball tournament is set to start later this week, it appears as if more fans will be able to show up and cheer on their teams.

Baseball and Softball Tournaments expected to have 100 percent capacity pending local and state health guidelines

And according to Rogers, this would extend beyond just the College World Series in Omaha and the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Given that the NCAA qualifies regionals as championships, the entirety of the upcoming NCAA Tournaments could have 100% fan attendance (depending on local restrictions, of course).

Fans who are looking to travel to support their teams should familiarize themselves with what state and local municipalities are requiring wherever these events are taking place.

As vaccination rates across the country increase and the CDC says it is safe for fully vaccinated people to attend crowded events that happen outdoors (like college baseball and softball games), this shift in policy was bound to happen eventually.

And while it’s relatively short notice for college softball fans who might want to cheer for their teams in the regionals, there’s still a bit of time for fans of teams who will make it on to Super Regionals and anyone who wants to go to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

The timing of this does benefit college baseball fans as they still have time to make some plans before the tournament gets going.

For information on Omaha’s COVID-19 restrictions, click here. To learn more about Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 restrictions, click here.

Next. 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament bracket revealed: Predictions, schedule, top storylines to watch. dark

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