If Florida softball’s 2024 season and its dreams of a national championship are to live on, it will require a long, likely arduous day Monday.
Given some factors outside of the Gators’ control, it might now be even longer.
There has been inclement weather Monday morning around Oklahoma City, delaying the start of Florida’s Women’s College World Series matchup with Oklahoma, which was initially scheduled for noon ET.
REQUIRED READING:What channel is Florida softball vs Oklahoma on today? Time, TV for Women's College World Series
It’s not a particularly unexpected development. Weather ranging from rain to thunderstorms has pushed back several WCWS games this year, including the Alabama-UCLA game that opened WCWS play on May 30.
The Gators, the No. 4 national seed, kept their season going Sunday with a 6-4 victory against SEC foe Alabama in an elimination game. After a 10-0 run-rule loss to No. 1 Texas last Saturday, Florida can’t lose again and remain in the double-elimination WCWS, meaning it would have to beat No. 2 seed and three-time reigning national champion Oklahoma twice on Monday — at least as it’s scheduled now — in order to advance to the championship series.
Here's what you need to know about the weather delay at Devon Park in Oklahoma City and when play can be expected to resume:
REQUIRED READING:Florida softball back in WCWS semifinals for the first time in seven years with win over Alabama
Florida softball vs Oklahoma weather updates
This section will be updated as more information comes available.
2:43 p.m.: At last, the tarp is off at Devon Park.
2:13 p.m.: With the Florida-Oklahoma game getting pushed back as far as it was, the second game between the two teams — which would only be necessary if the Gators win the first matchup — will take place on Tuesday, which was originally set aside as a free day before the championship series.
1:44 p.m.: A long awaited update from the NCAA: the lightning risk in the area has decreased, meaning that first pitch for the Florida-Oklahoma game is now scheduled for 3:06 p.m. ET, 90 minutes after its first delayed time of 1:36 p.m.
The gates at Devon Park in Oklahoma City are now open to fans in what's an encouraging sign for the 3:06 first pitch to actually transpire.
12:44 p.m.: The NCAA announces that it will continue to monitor the weather, but that the "game time and gates open time will be adjusted," with a specific time provided quite yet.
12:30 p.m.: The official NCAA softball account is trying to will some better weather.
10:45 a.m.: Oklahoma City has not yet been removed from the counties that are on a severe thunderstorm watch.
10:40 a.m.: A closer look at some of the weather that's going to be impacting the Oklahoma City area through the early afternoon today.
10:32 a.m.: Something to keep in mind as the delay continues is the NCAA's rule on lightning around sporting events. College sports' governing body requires a game to stop for at least 30 minutes if there's a lightning strike within six miles of the venue where a game is being held.
"To resume athletics activities, lightning safety experts recommend waiting 30 minutes after both the last sound of thunder and after the last flash of lightning is at least six miles away, and moving away from the venue. If lightning is seen without hearing thunder, lightning may be out of range and therefore less likely to be a significant threat. At night, be aware that lightning can be visible at a much greater distance than during the day as clouds are being lit from the inside by lightning. This greater distance may mean that the lightning is no longer a significant threat. At night, use both the sound of thunder and seeing the lightning channel itself to decide on when to reset the 30-minute return-to-play clock before resuming outdoor athletics activities."
10:16 a.m.: Here's a look at the storm system from the National Weather Service, stationed in nearby Norman, Oklahoma.
9:50 a.m.: Lightning expected around Oklahoma City has pushed the start of the Florida-Oklahoma softball matchup back to 1:36 p.m. ET, according to an announcement Monday morning from the NCAA. That first pitch will come 96 minutes later than it was originally scheduled.
