Listen to the full interview with Dan Masters from the Doug & Daddy Show here (2/16/23 show).

HASTINGS, Neb. — Trophies will not be handed out at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings this year.

The venue has hosted the state softball tournament since 2008 and will continue to host the bulk of the tournament, but not the championship games. The Nebraska School Activities Association voted 7-1 last week to move the finals to Omaha. Assistant Director Dan Masters says the decision is driven by the ability to put the games on TV.

“To get things on TV, UNO opened up for softball and this is, I think, a great way for us to showcase our great softball teams and softball players around the state,” Masters said.

The new tournament format was approved by the schools and the venue change was then enacted by the NSAA Board of Directors.

Games for classes A through C will run all day on Wednesday and Thursday of state softball week in Hastings and be played if necessary on Friday. The single-game championships will run back-to-back-to-back at UNO’s Connie Claussen Field on Monday. The change will create additional travel and a few days between contests for the six finalists.

“… and I know that. But I also know that I have a responsibility to look out for what’s in our best interest to put our kids in a, again, an opportunity to be on TV, to be in a great venue," Masters said. "I think those girls that compete next year already on that Monday at UNO are going to be thrilled to be there and be on TV.”

Hastings city officials say in a news release they’re confident they run a quality tournament. The Nebraska Softball Association provides the fields for free, the city does the field maintenance for free and Hastings Public Schools organizes volunteers to help with the tournament. Local entities are working together on a $70,000 project to build eight bullpens for the facility.

When soliciting input from schools on the issue, Masters says the feedback was almost entirely positive.

“They always landed on, Dan, this is going to be great for the sport," Masters said. "It’s going to be great to highlight our kids on TV in that state championship finals game, to be in that venue.”

Hastings will continue to host the tournament for the next two seasons. After that, the contract to host the tournament will be up for bid again.