NAIA College World Series Opening Rounds

From 1965 to 1994, schools competed in one of 32 geographically based District Tournaments. The winners of those tournaments would then advance to one of 8 Area Tournaments, also geographically based, to participate in the NAIA College World Series. For example, District 1 covered the state of Washington, District 2 covered the state of Oregon, and District 3 covered the state of California. The winners of those tournaments advanced to the Area 1 tournament which covered the West Coast. In 1993, the Area tournaments were called Regional tournaments for the first time and given geographic names, rather than numerical names.

From 1995 to 1999 the regional tournaments were expanded to include 6 or 8 teams from the area. The schools were chosen from the area at large, instead of by district.

In 2000 the format was overhauled. Schools competed in one of 14 (typically 6-team) Regional Tournaments, still geographically based. The winners of those regionals advance to one of 7 2-team Super Regionals. The 7 winners plus 2 of the losers plus Lewis-Clark State College as host school advance to the NAIA College World Series.

In 2009 the format was changed yet again. 9 5-team Regionals were played, with the 9 winners and Lewis-Clark advance to the College World Series.

In 2022 the format was tweaked. The field was set at 10 Regionals of 4 or 5 teams, with the winners advancing to the College World Series. Lewis-Clark was no longer given an automatic berth, but instead competed in a regional.