The ShowGirl

  (11:07 AM)

Welcome to The Show! Stacey Nuveman will be here at 11:30 ET to talk College Softball World Series. Send in those questions now!!

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:30 AM)

Hello from Oklahoma City! Fire your questions away!

Carla (Cape Cod)

If you were behind the plate with the game on the line, what hitter in this year's field would you not want to see at the plate with runners in scoring position? And how would you call the pitch sequence to her?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:33 AM)

Wow! Goodnees gracious! Well, I think the No. 1 hitter on the No. 1 team is Jessica Merchant from Michigan. I definitely would not want to see her up in that situation. She's has 21 HRs and big RBI numbers. ... When in doubt, I'd say throw hitters away. There are very few hitters who can consistantly hit that outside pitch. So, not knowing her too well, I'd say, it never hurts to work that outside corner and mix in some off-speed stuff.

Duncan D.

How much tougher is Cat because she's a lefty? Would she be just as effective with the same pitches if she was a righty?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:34 AM)

I think Cat being a lefty gives her a great advantage b/c there aren't really that many LHers in softball. I think she would certainly still be effective with her stuff as a righty, but, she is also so effective, because many teams have a lot of left-handed hitters.

Sully (Storrs)

How much different is it for players who might not be used to televised games to know they're playing on national tv? Is it forgotten as soon as the game starts?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:36 AM)

You know, I really think that TV presence can have a factor on new, young teams or first-timers at the WCWS. Fast-pitch softball has not been in the public eye for very long or very often so a lot of these players are not used to that. TV cameras can certainly put some extra butterflies in those stomachs and have an impact on how they perform at this stage.

DePaul Fan!!

Stacey, I know my Blue Demons are a long shot. What is the ONE mistake they can absolutely can not afford to make against Michigan if they want to survive?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:37 AM)

DePaul's pitchers can not afford to give up the long ball. Michigan has 100 HRs as a team, if they start hanging pitchers over the plate, the Wolverines will take advantage. You can't play the home run game with Michigan.

David ( Atlanta, GA)

Do you think a team east of the Mississippi finally has a chance to win the WCWS? Who would you pick?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:39 AM)

Absolutely! Four of the eight are from the East, beyond the fact that there is a 50/50 chance, Michigan, of course. I think Alabama is dangerous, they are so aggressive on the bases always pushing the envelope. Not only do the percentages give them a shot, but beyond that, there is some real talent over there and they can definitely make a splash. If I had to pick one, I go with Michigan.

Mark.....California

What team is the most "innovative" in this years field? What is it that they do differently than others? Thanks Stace

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:41 AM)

You know, I really think Alabama. I just kind of mentioned that. Coach Murphy has implemented the most innovative idea in always being so aggressive -- I mean he gives the green light to his runners to steal on their own. It's not a called play from him, they have the ability to steal at will. With two outs, they are ASSUMING two bases on every contact. They are first to third -- AUTOMATIC. A lot of coaches would be scared of that, but it seems to be working for Alabama.

Moonlight

What's the field like in Oklahoma City? Does it tend to favor a certain type of team? Or does the weather affect how the stadium plays?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:43 AM)

The playing surface is pretty neutral here. They do a nice job of not giving an over-advantage to slappers. They will certainly have an opportunity to get their basehits, but it's not a hard packed infield that will especially play into their style. Barring any major weather issues, there's really no clear cut advantage to this place for any hitter or team.

Kim (Dallas)

Hey Stacey. What do you think of the new format featuring a best-of-three series at the end of the WCWS rather than a winner-takes-all game?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:45 AM)

I really like the new format. What it does is it forces the champ to be consistent. There certainly will not be any lucky winners this year. Not more than the past, but this format definitely tests a team to play well not only three weekends in a row, but in that final series, in at least two games. I think this really creates more of a fairness and more of a challenge, overall.

Coach Peter (San Diego)

With the Cal Bears returning every starter back from a team that played in the WCWS championship game last year, how can you possibly bet against them??

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:47 AM)

I don't know that I was ever betting against them. When I look at the field, I'd say Cal has all the weapons . ... I'd say that about anybody. They've got speed, power and pitching and most importantly the experience you mention. My biggest concern about Cal is they have been a little inconsistent in the past. They have to get it together. But, UCLA, the two-time defending champions certainly have their hands full with Cal today.

Long Beach, Ca

Stacey, as an athlete, what do you think of UCLA's first round match vs Cal? As a spectator, it seems unfair to come all this way to face a team from own your back yard, no? What positive spin can you give to athlete's in these situations?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:49 AM)

The familiarity, I think, is an advantage for both teams. There are no mysteries when you face a conference opponent right off the bat. And then, you could face ANOTHER Pac-10 team in Arizona in the very next round. But, you want to be here, you don't get too caught up in any of that. So what if you bounce to the other side of the braket. I don't think the authorities sat there and purposely stacked one side with the Pac-10ers. It's literally the luck of the draw. All you can do in a situation like this is know that you are going to have to beat the best teams to win it all, so you might as well do it early.

Kim (Brentwood)

Is it hard to broadcast a game involving the Bruins? What's your favorite WCWS moment?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:51 AM)

Well, broadcasting a Bruins game definitely challenges my abilty to be impartial. (laughs) Of course my heart is always going to be Blue and Gold but I think my professionalism supercedes that. My favorite moment was beating the University of Washington in 1999 to win it all. Capping it all off, winning it all with the team and I had a pretty good year individually, so that was definitely the highlight.

S. Green (Albany)

Are there any chants from opposing teams that ever got under your skin? Any especially creative ones you can remember?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:54 AM)

Frankly, I've never been a huge fan of all of the cheering in the dugouts. Coaches I've played for weren't big fans of it either so I'm a little conditioned against it. When I hear teams that are especially chanty and cheery, it's always been a little nail-on-the-chalkboard for me. Nothing particular, it just annoys me a bit. I've never been a big fan. Especially when it seems especially forced or insincere. BUT, I will say this -- The U of Washington BAND always had real creative cheers and always made us laugh during the games. I can say they were the most creative overall.

Thomas (Arizona)

Arizona is talented top to bottom, but isn't Coach Mike Candrea arguably their most significant asset?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:57 AM)

You know, Coach Candrea is the best coach in the world and his intangibles -- his motivation and his drive and his talent -- that is certainly the reason for Arizona's succes. The athletes come and go, but to maintain that success over the years is definitely a reflection of his talents. I think Sue Enquist would fit on that bill as well. In other sports, Pat Summit is in that vein -- and Pat will actually be down here watching the OTHER Lady Vols. But those coaches in those programs are certainly the driving force year in and year out.

Tanna (Chicago)

Sure pitching is the live or die factor in the World Series, Texas has Cat, but can she really make up for the Longhorns feeble offensive assault?

Stacey Nuveman

  (11:58 AM)

Well, that is the million dollar question. You can go virtually perfect for 9 or 10 innings, but one mistake can be the difference. That puts a lot of pressure on Texas' defense as well if they can't push one accross. If not, it's going to be a short weekend for them. Yes, pitching dominates, but you you have to have both.

Amy (Fullerton)

Would Michigan or DePaul winning help the sport extend its reach beyond the South and West?

Stacey Nuveman

  (12:00 PM)

You know, I think that a different champion will always expand the paradigms of sports and softball in particular. But, softball is expanding regardless of who wins the championship. The coverage and the fandom has just been increasing exponentially for fastpitch softball each year. The argument that parity increasing makes the sport softball, sure, I see that, but I don't think it's necessary for us to see growth in the sport. I think it will continue to happen regardless.

Ross (Boston)

WHo's your pick for the championship game. who wins??

Stacey Nuveman

  (12:03 PM)

My dream matchup would be Michigan - Cal. Cal is the most experienced top to bottom and Michigan has played the most consistant all year. It's East vs. West. It would present a huge pitcher matchup. As for a winner. Gosh. I don't know. I'm going to say -- stay tuned!

The ShowGirl

  (12:04 PM)

Thanks Stacey! SportsNation -- the action kicks off today and ALL THE GAMES are on ESPN 2. Don't miss 'em!

The ShowGirl

  (12:04 PM)

Arizona vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
UCLA vs. Cal, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
Michigan vs. DePaul, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Alabama vs. Texas, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)