| 1996 NCAA Division I softball season | |
|---|---|
| Preseason No. 1 | UCLA |
| Defending Champions | UCLA |
| Tournament | |
| Most conference bids | Pac-10, Big 12 (4) |
| Women's College World Series | |
| Champions | Arizona (4th title) |
| Runners-up | Washington (1st WCWS Appearance) |
| Winning Coach | Mike Candrea (4th title) |
| WCWS MOP | Jenny Dalton (Arizona) |
| Seasons | |
The following human polls make up the 1996 NCAA Division I women's softball rankings. The NFCA/USA Today Poll is voted on by a panel of 32 Division I softball coaches and ranks to top 25 teams nationally.