85th National Invitational Tournament Changes

With this being a tournament with a multiple of 5, there are changes being made to the field - namely that the field is expanding to 36.

Each super-region gets the following bids:

• Hokkaido - 1
• Tohoku - 2
• Kanto - 4 (+1 floating w/Tokyo)
• Tokyo - 1 (+1 floating w/Kanto)
• Hokushinetsu - 2
• Tokai - 3
• Kinki - 6
• Chuugoku - 3
• Shikoku - 3
• Kyushu - 4

For a total of 30 instead of the normal 28.  Here Chuugoku and Shikoku get an extra bid each instead of a shared floating bid (net +1), and Tokai gets an extra bid (+1).

In addition, there is a special memorial bid to be awarded to the Tohoku Region, though if that is through normal selection methods I am not certain.

The Super-Region of the winning school of the Meiji Jingu Fall Tournament will also receive the customary extra bid.

And finally, there will be 4-21st century teams selected to round out the field of 36.

I would image the 4 extra games may go directly to the 21st century teams, but who knows, it could still be a pure draw.