LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:		Class C Softball Districts
Author:		Amp Ferg
School:		Pender
NSAA District:		3

Proposal for:		Activities Manual

Classes Affected:		Class C
Activities Affected:		Softball
This proposal:		WILL increase costs to the school WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA WILL increase travel for participating schools WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:		2024-08-01
Sections affected in Activities Manual:		Page 15	Article	Section
Summary:		Change: 1. Class C schools in softball are to be placed into ten districts. 2. The ten districts will be determined using a serpentine method (not modified), based upon the NSAA wildcard point system , on the Monday of week 12, prior to the first district tournament. The top seed in each district will be offered a contract to host the district tournament. If the higher seed is unable to host the district tournament, the subsequent seed shall be offered a contract until a location is secured. 3. If the total number of teams is not divisible by four (4), then sub-districts of five (5) teams will be created for extra teams over that number divisible by four (4). Class C sub-districts will be single elimination with the winner qualifying for district finals. The highest seed will be the host unless they choose not to host.
Rationale:		Power points are used to reward a team's regular-season body of work. The current system goes against this philosophy by potentially compelling schools with higher power points to group geographically in the same sub-district. While the current system does allow for wild cards in district play, many quality teams are left out because of sub-district winners with less-quality competition. We have seen multiple other sports go away from the geographical system in the past few years as well. By allowing geography to determine all subdistricts we appear to be putting outside considerations in front of competitiveness and on-the-field results. With Sub-districts being a one-day tournament, multiple days of travel to a further location have been reduced. By allowing the serpentine method to seed we are placing the emphasis on competitiveness and a full season’s body of work. The NSAA sub-district, district, and state playoff/championship format should be as statewide as possible. Particularly when it comes to championship play.
Pros:		This proposal rewards teams with higher power points, and a full regular season body of work when it comes to sub-district play. It also respects the distances of the western most schools in our state. This proposal rewards on the field results.
Cons:		This proposal does not allow a theoretically less competitive team to enjoy an opportunity to host a sub-district contest. It may increase travel for teams with lower powerpoints.