TSSAA Rule on Semester/Years of eligibility

[don'tknowsquat]

I would like to know if anyone has a definite answer on the number of years/semesters a student can play softball.

 

I know some schools are allowing 8th graders to play if the middle school is on the same campus. I think if they can do it...this is great; however, I would like to know of the specific rules.

 

In one particular situation our school has a special education student on the team. We asked about additional years of eligibility (because she could likely be in high school for more than 4 years), we were told that students only had 8 semesters/4 years of eligibility.

 

Does this mean these 8th graders can't play a year of high school ball?

 

Any guidance?

[bigchief]

8th graders that are housed on the same campus as the high school can play 5 years of varsity ball. A special education student, while possibly being in high school more than five years, can only be considered a 9th grader (or 10,11 or 12th grader) for one year each. They can't be a 9th grader for 2-3 years eligibility-wise. If you had an 8th grade special education student that was housed on the same campus as your high school, then they would have five years to compete as long as they did not turn 19 before September 1st of the senior year. Otherwise you would have 20 year old special ed students playing everywhere. They are allowed to attend school until they are 21, but they can't keep eligibility past 19. One year of eligibility for each year of a normal high school career. Hope this helps.

Edited March 16, 2006 by bigchief

[LSUfan]

Here's the rule...

 

Eighth Grade Participation

 

Section 8. An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at

the school. Students below the eighth grade are not eligible. Any student repeating the eighth grade

shall not be eligible for high school participation during the year that the student is repeating the eighth

grade.

 

Participation as an eighth grader shall not reduce the number of semesters a student is allowed to

participate after enrolling in the ninth grade.

 

 

** I played my eighth grade year and ended up lettering five years for my high school team.

[don'tknowsquat]

Thanks for the guidance. It seems like you ask 10 people and get 10 different interpretations of the rule.

[CoachMD]

From what I was told when I asked, the eighth graders must be in the same building and under the same administration as the high school. Them being on the same campus didn't allow anything. There are a lot of schools with middle schools and high schools on the same campus, but not in the same building.

[don'tknowsquat]

Boy...that opens it back up. LSUfan quoted Section 8..." An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at

the school."

 

Enrolled at the school could be the key! This may mean under the same roof/administration as stated by CoachMD.

[LSUfan]

Great point!! When I played as an 8th grader at Basin, we were in the same building as the 9th-12th graders.

 

Boy...that opens it back up. LSUfan quoted Section 8..." An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at

the school."

 

Enrolled at the school could be the key! This may mean under the same roof/administration as stated by CoachMD.

[Courtside]

you are exactly right, the eighth grader must be in the same building and be under the same principal as the high school players.

[Antwan]

you are exactly right, the eighth grader must be in the same building and be under the same principal as the high school players.

 

It is not as simple as that anymore. That is what the rule used to be. I am not sure what the rule is now. I have heard that if the grades are turned in 7-12...that is enough. I know you don't have to have the same principal anymore.

[jacketteam8]

It is not as simple as that anymore. That is what the rule used to be. I am not sure what the rule is now. I have heard that if the grades are turned in 7-12...that is enough. I know you don't have to have the same principal anymore.

 

 

It would be nice if the TSSAA allowed all eightgraders , who do not have a middle school team in their county, to play for the high school team. It is sad to see good young players sitting in our stands while we play teams, especially private schools, play their eight graders. A county with only one elementary, middle, and high school, but in seperate schools should be allowed to play them.

[5-Sport Dad]

It would be nice if the TSSAA allowed all eightgraders , who do not have a middle school team in their county, to play for the high school team. It is sad to see good young players sitting in our stands while we play teams, especially private schools, play their eight graders. A county with only one elementary, middle, and high school, but in seperate schools should be allowed to play them.

 

Excellent, excellent post! And a VERY good point, indeed. Any rule has what's called the 'spirit' (or purpose) of it built in. And any time that's broken or damaged, then the student is hurt, too, in my humble opinion. Participation rules should promote and protect children, and promote their educational experience, not hinder it.

 

The problem with this whole situation is that there are cheaters out there that mess it up. So, as always, to make sure they don't get an advantage, we have silly rules (i.e., silly to those who are good people that follow the rules). Who, or what governing body, in their right mind would purposely write or make a rule that handicaps a child? TSSAA? NCAA? If your answer is yes, then shame on them.

 

Bigchief sounds like he knows rules very well and is always willing to share the facts, which I appreciate. I'd like to know his opinion on this topic.

[dixiepixie14]

8th graders that are housed on the same campus as the high school can play 5 years of varsity ball. A special education student, while possibly being in high school more than five years, can only be considered a 9th grader (or 10,11 or 12th grader) for one year each. They can't be a 9th grader for 2-3 years eligibility-wise. If you had an 8th grade special education student that was housed on the same campus as your high school, then they would have five years to compete as long as they did not turn 19 before September 1st of the senior year. Otherwise you would have 20 year old special ed students playing everywhere. They are allowed to attend school until they are 21, but they can't keep eligibility past 19. One year of eligibility for each year of a normal high school career. Hope this helps.

 

So, if a girl failed a grade when they were in elementary school and they are freshman but over 16 can they play all 4 yrs of high school even though they will be 19 before Sept 1st ?????