Texas softball coach, Mike White, expressed his belief that the Women’s College World Series should rotate locations away from Oklahoma City to eliminate the perceived advantage enjoyed by the Oklahoma program. However, White acknowledged that this change is unlikely to occur during his coaching tenure.

The proximity of the WCWS to the Oklahoma campus in Norman, just 20 miles away from the host site at Devon Park, has raised questions about whether the location gives an advantage to the Oklahoma team. White, leading the No. 1 Longhorns to the WCWS, highlighted the clear advantage it provides to the Oklahoma program.

Despite White’s desire to see the series rotate locations in the future, the recently renewed contract between the NCAA, USA Softball, and Oklahoma City ensures that the WCWS will remain in its current home until at least 2035. This long-standing relationship between Oklahoma City and softball dates back decades, with the city hosting various softball events and tournaments.

Oklahoma City’s status as a softball hub in the U.S. can be traced back to the relocation of USA Softball from New Jersey in 1966. The city’s top-notch facilities have attracted significant softball events, including the WCWS, the Big 12 Tournament, and Olympic tryouts. The NCAA’s decision to host the WCWS in Oklahoma City since 1990 reflects the city’s reputation as a softball stronghold.

While the idea of rotating the WCWS to different locations has been raised, the NCAA values having a permanent home for sports like softball that may not generate the same financial returns as football or basketball tournaments. Oklahoma City’s Devon Park, with its state-of-the-art facilities, has become synonymous with the WCWS and is considered one of the premier softball venues in the country.