June 10, 2011

2012 Softball Season Notes and Changes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Roxanne Price, OHSAA Assistant Commissioner, has issued the following notes regarding changes for the upcoming 2012 season.

Each year, the OHSAA’s Board of Directors passes Softball Sport Regulations that determine the administrative rules governing softball, specifically start dates, number of contests, etc. The Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association represents the softball coaches in Ohio and does a great job of promoting items that benefit softball in general while also keeping the best interests of all schools in perspective.

Annually, the OHSFSCA may make recommendations for changes to these regulations. Often times, the OHSAA administrator of each respective sport will often make recommendations to the Board to change/alter regulations for similar reasons, as well as to better and more efficiently administrate a sport on a state-wide basis. The OHSAA’s Board has approved the following changes for the 2011-12 school year/softball season:

Change in START DATE for Practice!
As all coaches know, there has been a staggered start date with Pitchers/catchers beginning 2 weeks before everyone else. Effective the 2012 softball season, the start date for practice will be the SAME for all players. This start date will be on the start date previously given for pitchers/catchers. There will no longer be a staggered start for softball practice. That start date for 2012 is: 2/20/2012.

“50%” Limitation Ends Earlier Next Year
Sports Regulation 4.5 limits non-school teams to 4 players from the same school outside the season of play except during June & July. Effective 2012, this exception will actually be extended to the Friday prior to Memorial Day. With the number of Memorial Day tournaments, this will permit teams comprised of any number of players from any one school to play without penalty. Again, this begins in 2012.

Game Start Date moved to Allow Additional Saturday
This was passed previously by the board at a recommendation of the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association. This will now permit games to be played beginning Saturday, March 24, 2012 freeing up another possible Saturday for doubleheaders.

Future Scheduling Note
In 2013 and 2014, the first game date falls AFTER Easter. This could have an impact on teams that normally take “spring trips” to non-bordering states if your spring break does not align with those various events. Current OHSAA regulations do not permit teams to miss school for travel or competition to non-bordering states. Keep this in mind for future scheduling.

Have a good summer and 2011-12!
Roxanne
 

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