LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Move Class C Softball to Spring

Author:Jenny Wagner
School:Centennial
NSAA District:1
 
Proposal for:Activities Manual
 
Classes Affected:Class B
Class C
Activities Affected:Softball
This proposal:WILL NOT increase costs to the school
WILL increase costs to the NSAA
WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools
WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:2028-08-01
Sections affected in Activities Manual:Page
2
Article

Section
Season dates, scheduling, and postseason calendar
Summary:This proposal would move Class C softball from the fall to the spring beginning with the 2028–2029 school year. The first spring season would take place in spring 2029, and Class C softball would no longer compete in the fall beginning in fall 2028. Class A and Class B softball would remain in the fall. The NSAA would establish spring practice, first-contest, and postseason dates and update the corresponding regulations and activities calendar. Before implementation, the NSAA would also establish transition procedures for schools moving between fall and spring classifications.
Rationale:Smaller schools often depend on the same students to sustain multiple activities. Having softball in the fall requires students interested in softball and another fall sport to choose between those opportunities. Moving Class C softball to the spring would allow students to participate in softball while also participating in volleyball, cross country, or another fall sport. This change could help strengthen participation in softball in the spring as well as strengthen other fall programs. It could also make softball a more viable option for schools that currently struggle to maintain sufficient numbers or are considering adding the sport. Moving softball to the spring would create conflicts with track and field and other spring activities. Those impacts must be considered alongside the potential benefits to softball and fall participation. The purpose of this proposal is to support student opportunities and the long-term sustainability of programs in smaller schools. Implementation in the 2028–2029 school year would allow planning for schedules, cooperative agreements, coaching assignments, facilities, transportation, officials, and postseason arrangements.
Pros:Allows students to participate in softball in the spring as well as participate in another fall sport. May increase participation in both softball and other fall programs. May help smaller schools sustain existing softball programs or consider adding the sport. Establishes a consistent spring season for Class C.
Cons:Creates participation conflicts with track and field and other spring activities. Spring weather may limit outdoor practices and require games to be rescheduled. Schools may face competing demands for facilities, coaches, transportation, and officials, especially with baseball in the spring. Class C schools would lose opportunities to schedule Class A and Class B opponents during the school softball season. A separate spring postseason may increase NSAA costs. Schools moving between fall and spring classifications would require clear transition procedures.