KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to announce the qualifiers for the 2009 NAIA Softball National Championship. The tournament will be held at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala., May 14-20, 2009. This event is hosted by Decatur Parks and Recreation.

Defending national champion Lubbock Christian (Tex.) is one of 32 teams, which is comprised of seven at-larges and 25 automatic qualifiers, to participate in this event.   Brackets and seedings will be announced on Wednesday, May 6 at 12 p.m. CST.

Lubbock Christian won its first title last year.  Lady Chap infielders Raquel Hawkins and Alejandra "Honda" Rodriguez were named to the 2008 All-Tournament Team and Hawkins was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.  Both players are back this year to help Lubbock Christian defend their title.

Asbury (Ky.), Bethel (Ind.), Bethel (Tenn.), California Baptist, Dickinson State (N.D.), Friends (Kan.), Georgetown (Ky.), Hastings (Neb.), Houston-Victoria (Tex.), Madonna (Mich.), McKendree (Ill.), Missouri Valley, Northwood (Tex.), Notre Dame (Ohio), Oklahoma City, Park (Mo.), Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.), Shorter (Ga.), St. Xavier (Ill.), Virginia-Wise, Waldorf (Iowa) and William Carey (Miss.) all received an automatic bid after winning their respective conference/independent/unaffiliated tournaments.  College of Idaho, Holy Names (Calif.) and Morningside (Iowa) earned an automatic bid based on their conference qualification plan.

Brenau (Ga.), Concordia (Calif.), Lubbock Christian (Tex.), Martin Methodist (Tenn.), Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.), Simon Fraser (B.C.) and St. Gregory’s (Okla.) all received an at-large bid.

Teams will compete at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.  Wilson Morgan is a six field softball facility located at 300 Beltline SW, Decatur, Alabama. The centrally located concession and restroom building is topped with the complex's control tower and press boxes. Telephone systems from the press box areas to each dug-out provide an easy means of communication. Electronic scoreboards are utilized on all fields. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. Hollywood bases are used throughout the complex. Fence distance is 300 feet on all fields. Two paved parking lots provide parking for 600 vehicles. Seating is available for 2,000 spectators with additional seating available.

For more Championship information, click here.

Team Qualifiers (Listed Alphabetically)