Softball is Oklahoma City: Women's College World Series and more
The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) wrapped up its 30th year with record-breaking success.
“It was the most successful event that we’ve hosted this year from a visitation standpoint,” Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau Sports Development Vice President, Adam Wisniewski said.
The series was held from June 2 to June 9. Wisniewski said this year was special because it broke a handful of attendance records, and the visibility for the city was better than it has been.
An additional 4,000 seats were added onto the stadium in 2019. In 2020, the WCWS was canceled. 2021 was the first year the stadium was filled with the additional seats at full capacity of 12,500 to 13,000 seats.
“This was the first year we had a full ramp up with the new capacity,” Wisniewski said. “This year we got over 110,000 people. It was a very successful event.12, 250 [people] was the average per session.”
Every session was sold out except for one, he said.
Wisniewski said that day three of the world series set an all-time attendance record for any session hosted, adding that this was the first time the event was broadcasted on ABC.
“In terms of softball’s championship and baseball’s [championship], our peak viewership out drew baseball and it’s rare that you see a female sport do that with its male counterpart,” he said.
“We’re excited that we have, what we think is easily one of the premier women sporting events in the world. It’s a lot of fun that they are getting to see their exposure and our exposure continue to rise because of the partnership that they have with the city, USA softball, NCCA...it’s been a lot of fun and that was a really big step for everyone this year.”
The Women’s College World Series benefitted Oklahoma City from an economic standpoint, as well.
“Because of our unique partnership with USA Softball and the weight they hold, and the prestige they have in that sport, we have the ability to not only have the largest softball stadium in the country, which is a huge asset in terms of hosting the event, but we are able to have a long-standing 30-year deal,” Wisniewski said.
“Oklahoma City is the Women’s College World Series. The Women’s College World Series is Oklahoma City. From a destination and visitation standpoint that’s totally unique and is incredibly powerful.”
He said Oklahoma City gets a lot of recognition in terms of the Women’s College World Series from ESPN and fans, even before the season.
“There is no other stadium or other city better suited for that event than here,” Wisniewski said.
Not long after the Women’s College World Series, it was announced that Oklahoma City would be getting its own professional softball team, Oklahoma Spark.
“Bringing a professional softball team to OKC is a dream come true,” Owner and CEO of OKC Spark Softball, Tina Floyd said.
“As an Oklahoma native, I understand what softball means to this state, and how overdue this opportunity is. I know the OKC community will support this league, team, and athletes like no other city. OKC is ready for this.”
She said the Spark name was a collaborative effort between Women’s Professional Fastpitch Commissioner, Lauren Chamberlain, and herself.
The Spark team will begin play in June 2023. An announcement will be made this fall on where their home field will be.
The Spark organization wants to give back to the community and surrounding areas through camps, meet and greet opportunities, volunteerism and other community outreach programs, she said.
“The Spark will be a community-based, competitive team that will have a desire to win and be part of the Oklahoma community,” Floyd said.
“We have begun talks with potential players, coaches, and front office personnel to ensure we put forth our best effort every time we hit the field. We want our fans engaged and excited to be witnessing history in Oklahoma.”
Wisniewski said he hopes this is the beginning for more women sports.
“It establishes that we are a city that has a seat at the table in terms of professional sports,” Wisniewski said.
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