LINCOLN, Neb. — Hastings is losing one of its premier sporting events.

The Nebraska School Activities Association Board of Directors voted 7-1 today to move the state softball championship games away from Hastings to Omaha. State tournament games leading up to the championship games will continue to be played at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings. The championships will be played at the University of Nebraska Omaha's Connie Claussen Field

The championship games are also moving to Monday to allow for Nebraska Public Media to start televising the games.  They had previously been played on Friday. The format changes were approved by a 5-3 vote.

“Having the NSAA State Softball Championship games at Connie Claussen Field will give our student-athletes an opportunity to play in a high-caliber championship venue. The venue is TV ready and the live broadcasts will increase the exposure for NSAA softball,” NSAA Assistant Director in charge of softball Dan Masters said in a news release.