NDHSAA sanctions fastpitch softball

Play ball. Sanctioned ball.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association confirmed Tuesday that girls’ fastpitch softball will become a sanctioned sport during the 2008-09 school year.

“We were just informed at the beginning of June that we have commitment signatures from all 12 teams,” NDHSAA executive director Sherm Sylling said.

During an NDHSAA board of directors meeting March 16, 2007, the board stated softball would become a sanctioned sport in 2008-09, provided there are a minimum of 12 teams.

The 12 teams that have agreed to participate are Bismarck, Devils Lake, Enderlin, Fargo North, Fargo Shanley, Fargo South, Grafton, Grand Forks Central, Grand Forks Red River, Minot, Minot Ryan and West Fargo.

“We’re in the process of setting up a meeting with those schools to work on regulations, schedules and tournaments,” Sylling said.

A club tournament has been held the past 12 seasons. Grafton was the only team of the 12 listed that didn’t play in the state club tournament this spring.

Red River has had a club team the past 11 years.

“We’ve been trying for a number of years to get sanctioned,” Red River coach Mike Bisenius said. “It was real good to hear (softball was sanctioned).”

The sport has been growing on the club level, Bisenius said.

In 2000, the state had seven teams, including four Fargo schools, two Grand Forks schools and Devils Lake. Slowly, the interest spread.

Schools other than the 12 teams scheduled for 2008-09 have expressed preliminary interest in starting softball programs, as well, Bisenius said.

“I’ve heard teams interested in starting up programs in Williston, Dickinson, Carrington, Casselton and Belcourt,” Bisenius said. “It’s growing every year.”

Coaches hope the sanctioning of softball can help raise interest in the sport.

The Grand Forks Herald and Jamestown Sun are both owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: girls, softball, sport, ndhsaa