Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso, center, talks with catcher Lynnsie Elam, left and pitcher Giselle Juarez (45) during the team’s NCAA Women’s College World Series softball game against James Madison, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Oklahoma City. Gasso has been one of the most outspoken coaches regarding differences in scheduling and the quality of the facilities between the Women’s College World Series and the men’s baseball College World Series.
FILE – In this June 3, 2021, file photo, No. 1-seeded Oklahoma faces James Madison in the first game of the Women’s College World Series in the revamped USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. Recent improvements to the stadium included the addition of 4,000 seats.
Oklahoma’s Nicole May pitches in the first inning against Florida State during the first game of the NCAA Women’s College World Series softball championship series Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma fans stand as players gesture to them during the fifth inning of an NCAA Women’s College World Series softball game against UCLA, Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma shortstop Grace Lyons (3) celebrates after making a catch for the final out against UCLA in an NCAA Women’s College World Series softball game Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
Georgia infielder Ellie Armistead (24) makes the catch at first base before Oklahoma’s Jana Johns (20) runs across in the second inning of an NCAA Women’s College World Series softball game on Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock (32) celebrates after Florida State defeated Oklahoma 8-4 in the first game of the NCAA Women’s College World Series softball championship series Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
By CLIFF BRUNT
AP Sports Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso has had enough.
Her Sooners are closing out another dynamic season by playing Florida State in the best-of-three Women’s College World Series final this week. But lately, she’s had more on her mind than winning between the lines.
About a month ago, she lit into the NCAA for its WCWS format. She pointed out that the men’s College World Series stretches over nearly two weeks and does not include doubleheaders while the women’s tournament lasts no more than a week and forces several teams to play doubleheaders. She said the current format is a health risk for her players, and that she has, at times, been uncomfortable with how she has had to use pitchers while winning her four national titles.
Gasso’s ire was raised again this week after Florida State and Oklahoma State played a WCWS game that started at nearly midnight and didn’t end until after 2 a.m. on Sunday. Though a rain delay pushed things back, she felt the situation could have been avoided. In the men’s World Series, there are more days off and more scheduling flexibility.
“It’s very uncomfortable when we are talking to our players about standing up for what is right, yet, what is happening around us is not right,” Gasso said. “And the players will do whatever you put in front of them. They’re not going to complain. They’re going to go to bed at three, wake up at seven, because it’s the World Series. But that’s not the memory they need to have.”
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