LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Spring Softball Evaluation Period

Author:Jeremy VanAckeren
School:Papillion-La Vista South
NSAA District:2
 
Proposal for:Constitution & Bylaws
 
Classes Affected:Class A
Activities Affected:Softball
This proposal:WILL NOT increase costs to the school
WILL NOT 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:2023-09-21
Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws:Page
44
Article
3
Section
3.2.3
Summary:Beginning with Week 40 of the NSAA activities calendar schools are allowed a 3-week evaluation period with no more than 15 hours of practice time per week. During this time frame, coaches are allowed to work with an unlimited number of players from their school who are interested in participating in softball. These would be sport specific workouts (hitting, pitching, fielding, etc...) and would not include conditioning or weight lifting.
Rationale:Softball would need to have a similar type of evaluation period as baseball. The fall season is roughly 10-weeks in length from start to finish. There are 8-weeks of competition from the start of the season to the state championship game. The period between the start of fall sports to the start of competition are typically for tryouts and practice. Tryouts for some programs may last in the upwards of 5-7 days. Once tryouts are completed, players and coaches have roughly an additional 8-10 days to prepare for their first contest. This can also be a challenge with the weather; including rain, heat and air quality.
Pros:Implementing a spring evaluation period would allow players the opportunity to exhibit their skill set in front of their coaches in a more realistic scenario outside. They are also able to learn their programs philosophy and terminology, prior to the season. Coaches are able to evaluate and work with their players in a setting suitable to accurately gauge ability and would eliminate the constraints of completing tryouts quickly in order to prepare for their first game.
Cons: