The Women’s College World Series is something to behold each year. Fans turn out in droves to support their teams, viewers tune in in record numbers and the air around Oklahoma City feels different. ESPN enters its 25th year of being the exclusive rights holder for the special event and the “Voice of Softball” Beth Mowins reflects on those moments and more.
It is ESPN’s 25th year being the exclusive rights holder of the WCWS. What does that mean to you?
“It has been an amazing growth spurt for this sport that we all love so much. When we were first coming here, there may have been a handful of us and half a production truck. Now – to see the hundreds of ESPN employees here, our own compound and the passion and love that everyone puts into it – is incredible. It has been amazing to see over the last quarter of a century.”
How have you seen the game grow and evolve over the last two-plus decades?
“The growth of the game has been remarkable to see. It has always been this incredibly action-packed, fast-paced sport whenever we have come here, but just seeing how many more millions of Americans appreciate what happens out on the field is phenomenal. The way fans embrace the stories of the student-athletes with a championship on the line, it is such an honor and privilege to put our voices with the pictures that are going to create memories for a long time.”
Is there a moment from your time in Oklahoma City that sticks out the most in your mind?
“I’ll take you behind the scenes in 2017. We were calling Game 1 of the Florida-Oklahoma Championship Series. The game was moving along so fast that I made the off-handed remark during a commercial break that ‘Wow, this thing is going so fast that we are going to be home for dinner while it’s still light out.’ Well, 17 innings later, we were not home for dinner and it was much darker than when we started. That is probably the most famous moment in the history of this tournament
