KITCHENER, Ont. - Mother Nature has delayed the start of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Softball Championship presented by belairdirect.

When play is expected to begin on Friday afternoon, the top four teams from the OCAA regular season will vie for this year's championship. The original start time of 11 a.m. has been pushed back to 1 p.m., weather permitting.

The 2016 provincials takes place Friday and Saturday at Budd Park in Kitchener, Ont. The event is being hosted by Conestoga College.

Durham is the defending OCAA champion, having won a record 17 gold medals in its history. All three of last year's medalists have advanced to this weekend's tournament, including 2015 runner-up Humber and defending bronze medalist Fanshawe. This trio will be joined by St. Clair, which finished in first place in the regular season standings.

The four teams will play in a double-knockout tournament, playing a minimum of two games each. Clubs are eliminated from the competition after their second loss. Schools are seeded based on regular season record.

The team that wins both games in the opening day of the tournament advances directly to the gold medal game, with two chances to win the championship. The team that avoids a second loss wins the tournament and the OCAA title.

Championship Website: ocaa.com/championships/soft/2016-17/index

Live Webcast: www.youtube.com/channel/UCCGJ40GUZsWKm0Y5aoZdTAQ

Championship Schedule
Friday, October 21
Game 1: St. Clair vs. Humber - 1 p.m.

Game 2: Fanshawe vs. Durham - 3 p.m.

Game 3: Losers of Games 1 and 2 - 5 p.m.

Game 4: Winners of Games 1 and 2 - 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 22
OCAA Bronze Medal Game
Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 - 10 a.m.

*Loser awarded Bronze, winner advances to Gold Medal Game

OCAA Gold Medal Game(s)
Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Bronze Medal Game - 1 p.m.
*A second Gold Medal Game will be played at 3:30 p.m. if necessary

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com