Prep Softball: New section playoff format to include softball; Poway High, Rancho Bernardo in Open Division

By Michael Bower

The newly-created CIF San Diego Section playoff divisions based on competitiveness rather than enrollment numbers has made its way to softball.

The playoff format, which features an eight-team Open Division, was implemented last spring with baseball and lacrosse. And now the new format has been officially put in place to include softball in the spring of 2014 as well as most of the other sports.

Four of the six teams in the Palomar League are in the Open Division, which was created to have the eight best teams in the section play for the right to be called “Best in San Diego.”

Rancho Bernardo, the defending SDS Division II champions, and Poway are in the Open Division along with Bonita Vista, Torrey Pines, Carlsbad, West Hills, Westview and San Marcos. All eight teams are automatically into the Open Division playoffs no matter what they do this upcoming season.

Teams are placed into their division based on a mathematical formula, which uses data from the past five years. The most recent years weigh more heavily than the earlier years. The formula includes teams’ ranking in the state, playoff appearances and opponents’ records.

Del Norte will be in Division I along with Santana, Otay Ranch, Scripps Ranch, El Capitan, Steele Canyon, Cathedral Catholic, Ramona, Point Loma, Rancho Buena Vista, Mira Mesa, Mt. Carmel, Fallbrook, Mission Hills, University City and La Costa Canyon.

There are 16 teams in Division I (12 make the playoffs), 18 teams in Division II (12 make the playoffs), 18 teams in Division III (12 make the playoffs), 20 teams in Division IV (12 make the playoffs) and 21 teams in Division V (eight teams make the playoffs).

Other sports that will be in their first year following the new playoff format are: football, girls volleyball, girls soccer, boys soccer, boys basketball, girls basketball and baseball.