IHSAA SOFTBALL RULES

AND

NON-SCHOOL SPONSORED PARTICIPATION

 

Rule 15-1

During Authorized Contest Season – The Authorized Contest Season is the period between date established by the IHSAA as the first available season contest play date, and the last contest played in the IHSAA tournament series in each sport. 

A.  Participation in organized non-school softball During the Authorized Contest Season, including the IHSAA tournament series, shall cause such students to become ineligible for their high school team for a period not to exceed 365 days as determined by the Commissioner, unless an outstanding student-athlete waiver for said competition is approved by the coach, the principal, and the IHSAA office, and is on file in the principal’s office. A maximum of two waivers may be granted during a contest season.

B.  Participation of students in an organized athletic competition with or against athletes not belonging to their school constitutes a game. An organized “scrimmage” or practice with or against athletes not belonging to their school is considered a game.

C.  Coaches of grades 9-12 may not coach organized non-school softball During the Authorized Contest Season in that sport in grades 9-12.

 

Interpretations

A.   Student athletes who are playing on an IHSAA high school softball team may not begin participation on a non-school team until released by their high school coach, or until their team is eliminated from the IHSAA tournament series.           

B.   If their high school team is eliminated from the tournament series prior to the end of the school year (prior to the last day of class and Monday of Week 49, June 9, 2003), the student athlete may begin participation on a non-school team, but must adhere to the rules applied During the School Year Out of Season.  No more than 5 students from the same high school team may participate on a non-school team, and the member school coach may not work with his/her own players.

     

Rule 15-2

During School Year Out of Season – The school year covers all time from the first day of school (the day attendance is initially counted), until the last day of attendance, excluding summer school.  During the School Year Out of Season includes the first day of school up until the first day of the softball Authorized Contest Season.

A.   Students may participate in non-school softball provided no more than 5 students who have participated in a softball contest the previous season as a member of their high school softball team, are rostered on the same non-school softball team at the same time.

      The following standards also must be met:

      (1)  Participation is limited to non-school time.

      (2)  Fees, if charged, must be provided solely by the student, parent or guardian. No school or athletic funds shall be used for such when students of grades 9-12 are involved.

      (3)  Participation shall be open to all students.

      (4)  Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

B.  Students may not receive instruction from individuals who are members of their high school coaching staff.

C.  Coaches, from a member school coaching staff, may not instruct students who have participated in a contest as a member of their school’s team. (Exception: Coaches may instruct their sons or daughters.)

D.  Member schools may not organize, supervise or operate athletic practices.

E.  Member schools may not provide school-owned uniforms for non-school contests.

 

Interpretations

A.   Student athletes who are participating on a non-school softball team must adhere to IHSAA rules applied During the School Year Out of Season beginning on the first day of school, and ending prior to the first Authorized Contest Date.  No more than 5 students from the same high school team may participate on a non-school team, and the member school coach may not work with his/her own players.

B.   Students may participate in non-school softball provided no more than 5 students who have participated in a softball contest the previous season as a member of their high school softball team, are rostered on the same non-school softball team at the same time.  Incoming freshman would not be counted towards the number limitation.  Student athletes who have previously participated on their high school softball team at any level (freshman, junior varsity, or varsity), must be counted toward the limit of 5 per non-school team.

 

Rule 15-3

During Summer – Summer begins with Monday of Week 49 (June 7, 2004), or the close of the school year, whichever comes first.  Student athletes who are playing on an IHSAA high school softball team may not begin participation on a non-school team until released by their high school coach, or until their team is eliminated from the IHSAA tournament series.  Unlimited numbers of players from the same high school team may participate on a non-school softball team until the beginning of the next school year.  Participation in all summer activities shall be voluntary.  Whether summer athletic activities are sponsored by a member school or a non-school organization, students may participate so long as:

A.   Participation is voluntary;

B.   Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted for athletic proficiency.  Students must remain an amateur.

 

Summer Moratorium

Each member school shall observe a moratorium week during the week which includes July 4th, (July 4-10).   During this six day period, there shall be no contact between athletes and coaches.