IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

Girls Softball Advisory Committee

August 29, 2007

The IHSA Girls Softball Advisory Committee met at the IHSA Office, Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committee members present were: Lori Blade, Edwardsville (H.S); Kelly Coons, Streator (Twp.); Barry Gurvey, Grayslake (North); Dan Hutchings, Coal City; Mark Janesky, Sidell (Jamaica); Michael Marrese, Chicago (Resurrection); Chris Smith, Macomb; and Bret Tuetken, Hillsboro. Assistant Executive Director Kurt Gibson and State Final Manager Debi Neff, East Peoria (H.S.) were also in attendance.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS:

Item VI - A (4) - Time Schedule

Recommendation: The committee recommends playing all state final contests on Field #2 at EastSide Centre, unless conditions dictate moving a contest(s) to a different field, using the following time schedule:

            Friday              Session 1          Game 1 9:30 a.m.
                                                            Game 2 12:00 p.m. (approx.)
                                    Session 2          Game 3 4:30 p.m.
                                                            Game 4 7:00 p.m. (approx.)

            Saturday           Session 1          Game 1 9:30 a.m. (3rd place game)
                                                            Game 2 12:00 p.m. (approx.; Championship game)
                                    Session 2          Game 3 4:30 p.m. (3rd place game)
                                                            Game 4 7:00 p.m. (approx.; Championship game)

Rationale: The committee felt that since teams are playing only two games at the state finals in the 4-class system, they should be allowed to play both contests on the ‘Championship’ Field at EastSide Centre. Adjusting the time schedule as indicated will help keep things on time and bring consistency to both days of the state finals for competing teams.

Approved

Administrative Recommendations

1. The committee recommends not permitting players to wear metal spikes as allowed in newly-created NFHS softball rule 3-2-11, which is scheduled to take effect for the 2008 season.

Rationale: The committee is concerned about the safety of players in high school softball from both the offensive and defensive perspective. Absent hard rationale explaining the need for the rule change from the NFHS, the committee is not prepared to support such a rule in Illinois at this time.

Rejected

2. The committee recommends drafting a rules change proposal to the NFHS that would allow states the option to adopt, or not adopt, the wearing of metal cleats by players.

Rationale: The committee is concerned about not only the safety factor involved with this rule change, but also the speed with which the rule was enacted. The committee believes allowing states the option to adopt the use of metal cleats is a better, more practical approach to the situation.

3. The committee recommends conferences have the latitude to develop other game-ending procedures for sub-varsity contests (less than five inning Mercy Rule, maximum number of runs allowed to score per inning, time limits, etc.).

Rationale: Allowing conferences the latitude to determine other game-ending procedures for sub-varsity contests will provide better playing opportunities for student-athletes.

Items of Discussion

1. The committee reviewed the minutes of the 2006 advisory committee meeting.
2. The committee heard a report from state finals manager Debi Neff regarding the recently-completed state finals. Ms. Neff also shared some long-range planning goals of EastSide Centre with the committee.
3. The committee discussed the problem of illegal substitutions made by coaches who fail to have proper line-up cards. The committee will explore the possibility of developing a rules proposal for consideration and possible submission to the NFHS at its next meeting.
4. The committee discussed a recommendation that came from last year’s Class A State Final Coaches Roundtable but took no action on it. The recommendation addressed altering the current playing dates for the state series.
5. The committee discussed allowing all coaches in a sectional to review Season Summary Sheets from those schools assigned to the sectional, even if the sectional is divided into sub-sectionals. The IHSA will look into the feasibility of sharing that information at seeding time.
6. The committee reviewed how the 4-class system will work in softball effective with the 2008 season.
7. The committee discussed some of the changes being implemented by the IHSA this school year in regards to rules meeting attendance credit, distribution of manuals, and distribution of state finals information to schools who qualify for those tournaments.
8. The committee discussed the process of assigning officials to post-season contests and the need for schools to submit ratings in a timely fashion during the regular season.