The NCAA writes the rules of play, while each sanctioning body supervises season-ending tournaments.

[2][1] The first first-ever WCWS was held in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska, sponsored by the Amateur Softball Association and the Division of Girls' and Women's Sports.

The sixteen winners then enter a 'super regional', usually held at the higher seed's home ground, for a best-of-three series.

The eight winners then enter a modified double-elimination tournament to determine which team is the national champion.

[6] It was an eight country championship, with Team USA defeating Chinese Taipei for the gold medal.