What is the primary governing body for college athletics in the United States?

The NCAA, or the National Collegiate Athletic Association, serves as the primary governing body for college athletics in the United States. It oversees the rules and regulations for various college sports, including softball, establishing standards for competition, eligibility, and safety. The NCAA is responsible for organizing national championships and ensuring the integrity of the college sports system, which includes the academic welfare of student-athletes. It encompasses several divisions, with each division having its own set of rules that reflect the institutions' differing levels of competition.

Other organizations like the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) exist but serve different sectors or levels of collegiate sports and activities, while FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) is specifically focused on football programs within the NCAA framework. Thus, the NCAA stands out as the umbrella organization for college sports in general across a wide variety of athletic programs.