OSHSAA ?

[default]

Think the OSHSAA would be open to the idea on expanding eligilibity to Jr High students? The reason I ask is the HS that my kid will go to is a very small D-5 or 6 whichever the smallest school is in Ohio. The team this year at their 1st HS tryout only had 9-10 kids come out. So the girls had to "persuade" some girls who had not played before to come out for the team. There are 7-8th graders who have been playing forever who could really add some depth to the HS team (not talking about my own DD , she is a 6th grader) Think the association would consider this at least for the smallest schools who struggle with numbers ? MD

 

[default]

Here is the OHSAA by laws pertaining to your question. Just from a liability stand point I would think the OHSAA will never allow younger athletes to play on a team with much older, faster and stronger athletes.

1-1-2 Students enrolled below the seventh grade are ineligible for participation in interscholastic
athletics. Students enrolled in grades 7 or 8 are ineligible for interscholastic competition on
the same squad with students in grade 9 or higher. Exception ?A student who attains the
age of 15 prior to August 1 is eligible for interscholastic athletics only at the high school
level not to exceed eight semesters.
1-1-3 These bylaws cannot be waived, modified or amended by mutual consent between or among
contesting schools.

 

[default]

There you go!!

 

[default]

I don't like the inflexability ---Kentucky has always allowed BOYS and girls to compete in all varsity sports from whatever age the coaching staff deemed appropriate. I watch quite a bit of boys HS ball in Ky and every year there are a handful of kids playing varsity as 8th graders. And there must not be a problem with sports injuries due to the size of the players or the state would be hearing about it. I can't see coaches rushing some kid into service as a jr high player if they are not ready. Maybe change/adapt the rule for small schools ? MD

 

[default]

The OHSAA couldn't care less what the public thinks. Somehow you would need to persuade at least one school principal who would then need to persuade school principals across the state. Good luck with that. Unfortunately, all changes to OHSAA rules are from the top down, with pretty much zero influence from the bottom up. That is why we have so many absurd rules. Nobody is accountable.

 

[default]

In New York state, 7th and 8th graders can play JV high school ball, but I don't know about Varsity.

 

[default]

on thing to consider also is I believe the athlete only has 4 years Varsity eliglbility...so if they play Varsity as an 8th grader that may mean losing their senor year of playing....is it worth it......

 

[default]

thats part of the bad rule that should be changed also, why limit the time ?

 

[default]

mandan, i would think having a 4-years of eligibility rule is to make sure no one "fails" in high school just to play one more season, and although it wouldn't seem like a blue chipper would want to do that, one person might think otherwise...I say, let it be open for request..one could always present their case to a board for approval

 

[default]

They have to put rules in somewhere...I can see it now.....hey I have this 5th grader who could really help the Varsity team........where do you draw the line?

 

[default]

I say the fact that kentucky allows it is enough for me agree with OSHSAA on this one. There has to be a limit at some point or else all these phenom 10U pitchers would be on a few high school squads. Especially if only 8 or 9 players are coming out.

 

[default]

on thing to consider also is I believe the athlete only has 4 years Varsity eliglbility...so if they play Varsity as an 8th grader that may mean losing their senor year of playing....is it worth it......

That is why O.J. Mayo had to leave the `Nati area his Senior year being that he played varsity ball his 8th grade year out of state.

 

[default]

That's not why OJ Mayo was ineligible, it was because he was considered a freshman in another state before he came to Ohio. According to OHSAA rules, your years of eligiblity begin your freshman year.

 

[default]

I grew up in New York and they allowed 8th graders to play Freshman/JV, but not varsity. I think it is a great idea. This will allow those girls with better skills to play against better competition.

 

[default]

I know of several people who would love that idea.

 

[default]

I don't like the inflexability ---Kentucky has always ?allowed BOYS and girls to compete in all varsity sports ?from whatever age the coaching staff deemed appropriate. I watch quite a bit of boys HS ball in Ky and every year there are a handful of kids playing varsity as 8th graders. ?And there must not be a problem with sports injuries due to the size of the players or the state would be hearing about it. ? ?I can't see coaches rushing some kid into service as a jr high player if they are not ready. Maybe change/adapt the rule for small schools ? ?MD

In Kentucky you can be your own Grandpa, so I wouldn't put too much stock in what they do down they.

 

[default]

I agree with Ringer.

I am not a fan of OHSAA as I believe they have too much authority and excercise it in a way that at times is not good for the sport. Ky on the other hand may be a little to extreme in the other direction. Nonetheless, the coaches should have more of a voice in any situation. Currently, in Ohio, the coaches have no say.

 

[default]

Some schools are small. In Kentucky, there are eight man football teams as well. Many of them to the point they have their own league.......

 

[default]

The only draw back to changing the rule to allow middle school players to participate on the HS team would be all the bursting bubbles when the 7th & 8th grade super stars don't dominate the HS league, other than that some schools could sure use the players.

 

[default]

I would have no delusions of granduer - It's not about making the hotshot phenom look more dynamic than she already is. The smallest of ohio schools are sometimes in a number crunch. Adding a few semesters of eligibilty to D5-6 or whatever is smallest in softball in ohio would make for better overall quaily of play. After watching a week of practice my honest opinion is the jr high has 3-5 girls that could make and help the HS team. HS only has 13 on the roster inc 3-4 that have never played period. MD