The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has released the list of 10 host sites for the 4th annual NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. This year, Georgia Gwinnett has been selected as an NAIA Opening Round Host Site. Each of these host schools are guaranteed at least an at-large host berth in the National Championship Opening Round.
The event will be played May 16-18 and features 10 four-team, double elimination tournaments. The 40 qualifiers and pairings for the National Championship Opening Round will be announced May 10. The opening round playing format can be found here.
This host site selection is the first in Georgia Gwinnett softball history.
Other hosts in this years opening round include: Auburn University at Montgomery (Ala.), Davenport University (Mich.), Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.), Louisiana State University Alexandria, Morningside College (Iowa), Oklahoma City University, Reinhardt University (Ga.), Simpson University (Calif.) and St. Gregory’s University (Okla.).
Five hosts this year are repeats from last year: Auburn Montgomery, Lindsey Wilson, LSU Alexandria, Oklahoma City and St. Gregorys.
Georgia Gwinnett joins Morningside and Simpson, earning its first-ever host status.
The Opening Round site selection process takes into account: geography, facilities, student-athlete experience and host qualification. The application deadline for bids was April 1.
The champions from each of the 10 Opening Round tournaments will advance to the 36th annual NAIA Softball World Series in Sioux City, Iowa, May 27-June 2. These programs will participate in a double-elimination national championship at the Elizabeth & Irving Jensen Softball Complex.
For the complete opening round schedule, click here.
For more championship information, click here.
2016 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Host Sites
| School | Facility | Location | Bracket Name |
| Auburn Montgomery % | AUM Softball Complex | Montgomery, Ala. | Auburn Montgomery Bracket |
| Davenport | Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex | Grand Rapids, Mich. | Davenport Bracket |
| Georgia Gwinnett | Grizzly Softball Field | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Georgia Gwinnett Bracket |
| Lindsey Wilson * | Lindsey Wilson Softball Field | Columbia, Ky. | Lindsey Wilson Bracket |
| LSU Alexandria | LSUA Generals Field | Alexandria, La. | LSU Alexandria Bracket |
| Morningside | Jenson Softball Complex | Sioux City, Iowa | Morningside Bracket |
| Oklahoma City * | Ann Lacy Stadium | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Oklahoma City Bracket |
| Reinhardt | Ken White Softball Field | Waleska, Ga. | Reinhardt Bracket |
| Simpson | Simpson Softball Field | Redding, Calif. | Simpson Bracket |
| St. Gregorys % | The Ballfields at Firelake | Shawnee, Okla. | St. Gregorys Bracket |
* Opening Round Championship host in 2013, 2014 & 2015
% Opening Round Championship host in 2014 & 2015
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