Nov. 6, 2019 Meeting Summary

Softball Advisory Committee Recommendations

Fall 2019

 

1.

Recommends expanding the Fall Softball District window from Wednesday through Saturday of Week 15 to be Tuesday through Saturday Week 15. (7-1)

 

Rationale: Fall Softball playing school Athletic Directors and Head Coaches were surveyed as to whether they wished to add the day.  Survey results from ADs were 87% for and 13% against.  Survey results from Head Coaches were 84% for and 16% against.  There is no requirement to start on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

2.

Recommends the expansion to 5 classes for Fall Softball and the projected number of schools per class. (8-0)

 

 Rationale: The committee was presented the new classification process based upon the current post season registrations.  They understand the process and accepted the expansion and projected school distribution.

 

 

 

 

3.

Recommends Class 1 remain in 16 districts and Classes 2 – 5 reduce to 8 districts for Fall Softball. (8-0)

 

Rationale: The committee believes with the reduction of school’s per class in Classes 2 – 5 to approximately 64, 8 districts provides more competition.  Additionally, lends to the significance of the District Championship with regards to the Championship Factor.

 

 

 

 

4.

Recommends the following schedule for state series contests for Fall Softball:

(8-0)

 

  • Class 1 Sectionals – Wednesday, Week 16
  • Classes 2 & 3 Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Week 16
  • Classes 4& 5 Quarterfinals – Thursday, Week 16
  • Class 1 Quarterfinals – Saturday, Week 16

 

Rationale: The committee believes the schedule allows Monday, Week 16 to still be used as a district rain date and allows distribution of umpires over multiple days.

 

 

 

 

5.

Recommends the following State Championship schedule for Fall Softball with continued rotation of classes: (8-0)

 

  • Thursday, Week 17
    • Class 5 Semifinals – 2 PM (Auxiliary Fields)
    • Class 5 3rd Place – 5 PM (Stadium)
  • Friday, Week 17
    • Classes 1-4 Semifinals – 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, & 2 PM (Auxiliary Fields)
    • Class 5 1st Place – 11:30 AM (Stadium)
    • Classes 1-4 3rd Place - 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 PM (Stadium)
  • Saturday, Week 17
    • Classes 1-4 1st Place -10 AM, 12, 2, & 4 PM (Stadium)

 

Rationale:  The committee believes this schedule balances the schedule for all classes.

 

 

 

 

 

**

6.

Recommends the expansion to 2 classes for Spring Softball with approximately equal breaks. (8-0)

 

 Rationale: The committee was presented the new classification process based upon the current post season registrations.  They understand the process and believe an even distribution of schools is appropriate at this time in comparison to Fall Softball Classification sizes.

 

 

 

**

7.

Recommends 8 districts per class for Spring Softball. (8-0)

 

Rationale: The committee believes with approximately 64 schools per class, 8 districts provides more competition.  Additionally, lends to the significance of the District Championship with regards to the Championship Factor.

 

 

 

**

8.

Recommends expanding the Spring Softball District window from Monday through Thursday of Week 44 to be Monday through Saturday Week 44. (8-0)

 

Rationale: Expanded window allows more flexibility in scheduling the district tournament.

 

 

 

**

9.

Recommends the following schedule for state series contests for Spring Softball:

(8-0)

 

  • Class 1 Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Week 45
  • Class 2 Quarterfinals – Thursday, Week 45

 

Rationale: The committee believes the schedule allows distribution of umpires over multiple days and recognizes it concludes prior to the start of the District Baseball window.

 

 

 

**

10.

Recommends the following State Championship schedule for Spring Softball including a class rotation annually: (8-0)

 

  • Friday, Week 46
    • Semifinals – 1 PM, & 2 PM (Auxiliary Fields)
    • 3rd Place - 4 PM & 6 PM (Stadium)
  • Saturday, Week 46
    • 1st Place -11 AM & 1 PM (Stadium)

 

Rationale:  The committee believes this schedule balances the schedule for both classes and is comparative to Fall Softball.

 

 

 

 

11.

Recommends to adopt the following modification under NFHS Rule 4-2-3: (8-0)

 

By mutual agreement, in sub-varsity and junior high school contests, two schools may elect to shorten game length by inning count or time-limit.

 

Rationale:  Schools are already modifying game lengths at the sub-varsity and junior high school levels.  This adoption will just bring these modifications into compliance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board Action

*

Denied

**

Tabled for further study

***

Approved as amended

****

No Action

All others approved