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OU softball head coach Patty Gasso calls for WCWS format change

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•06/03/25•

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Patty Gasso22
OU head coach Patty Gasso. (Bryan Terry - Imagn Images)

OKLAHOMA CITY – At this point in her career, OU softball head coach Patty Gasso isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

She’s at peace with who she is, and if she feels like something needs to be said? She has no problem doing so.

Gasso hit her ‘soapbox’ late Monday night, following a 3-2 season-ending loss to Texas Tech at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park.

As it turned out this season, no ‘if’ game was necessary. Texas took care of Tennessee in the afternoon. The Red Raiders did the same to the Sooners to end the bid for a fifth straight national championship.

But for Gasso? It’s time to get rid of the ‘if’ game doubleheader possibility to get to the biggest stage of them all.

“Can I go on a soapbox for one second, please, everyone? Because I’m old enough, I don’t care what anyone thinks anymore,” Gasso said. “And I’m not saying it – okay, I’ve been in this tournament enough and there’s one thing that has to change and I’ve got to say it out loud, and I hope the committee is going to look at this.

“If we are all about women’s athletics and women’s sports and rah-rah, do not make us play doubleheaders to get to a national championship series. Do not do that. Don’t do that. It should not happen.

“So we were to win or if Texas Tech were to lose and they made it all the way here undefeated, if they were to lose to us and then we have to play another game right after, that is not fair. It’s not fair to them more than it is not fair to us because we didn’t get there on the road, they did.”

It’s just the way it has always been isn’t the best excuse. The WCWS schedule has been expanded compared to what it used to be. But it’s not enough, said Gasso.

Play Monday, and if the winner-take-all game has to happen, come back the following day. Don’t rush it and put both teams into a bind where they’re not at their best.

If you want the two best teams? Give them the chance to be at their elite status for such an important moment.

“But we’ve got to make changes,” Gasso continued. “We’ve got to put money into this. People will watch. They’ll come back and they’ll watch the next day. I believe that they will because this is one of the most watched championships in any sport. Softball is one of the tops. Why wouldn’t you want to come back and watch that if game or would you rather watch us have zero energy left and you’re not able to throw your best because you’re just trying to scrap it together? It’s unfair for the athletes at this high level.

“So that is my soapbox. Please let’s try to change that even if it’s going to cost a little bit of extra money, these athletes deserve it. And thank you all very much.”

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