Going, going...gone?
The number of Mississippi schools fielding slow-pitch softball teams continues to dwindle, to the point that the future of slow-pitch as a Mississippi High School Activities Association sport is in doubt. But, both Ethel and McAdams are committed to continuing the sport.
MHSAA associate director for athletics Ricky Neaves said about 20 schools dropped the slow pitch this year, reducing the number fielding teams to 89. That is a little more than one-third of the member schools.
Slow-pitch has been reduced to two classes, with 1A, 2A and 3A schools in Class I and 4A, 5A and 6A schools in Class II. Three years ago, there were five classes.
“We will reassess this at the end of the slow-pitch season as we do every season,” Neaves said. “If the numbers continue to dwindle as they have, it might not be feasible for the '20-’21 season.”
Most of the schools that have dropped slow-pitch have replaced it with volleyball as a sport for girls in the fall. Kosciusko High School is one of those, beginning its volleyball program this school year. Volleyball will increase from three to four classes this year.
“We’re committed (to slow-pitch) for the next two years. We have a lot of girls who enjoy it,” said Ethel athletic director Corey Parish. But he added “This will probably be the last two years that we will play slow-pitch,”
McAdams athletic director Carl Hathorn gave a similar response, saying there has not been any consideration to dropping slow-pitch.
Under MHSAA reclassification, Ethel and McAdams will compete in Class I, Region 5 with French Camp, Philadelphia, Union and Velma Jackson. French Camp, Ethel and McAdams are 1A schools, Philadelphia and Union 2A and Velma Jackson 3A.
Neaves pointed out that among the reasons for schools dropping slow-pitch and replacing it with volleyball is because there is no slow-pitch at colleges or junior colleges. “There is no next level and no scholarships offered.”
