Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



The Alabama High School Athletic Association may change the playoff format for softball beginning with the 2009 season.

AHSAA assistant director Wanda Gilliland told The North Jefferson News Thursday, that the AHSAA is considering changing from the sub-state format to a regional playoff format after the completion of area tournaments.

According to Gilliland, the proposal will be discussed and may be voted on when the AHSAA’s Central Board of Control meets on July 26.

The proposal would include four regional sites, hosting eight teams from each of the state’s six classifications. The regional tourney would be a double-elimination format, with the top two finisher’s advancing to the state tournament in Montgomery.

The regional location for area schools would likely be Vestavia Hills.

The move is being considered in part, in hopes of lowering travel costs.

Coaches in the North Jefferson area had a mixed reaction to the news of the possible change.

Fultondale head coach David Reed said the change would have been a money-saver for his Lady Wildcat club.

“We went to Ranburne in sub-state,” he said. “That’s about a 150-mile round trip. If we played at Vestavia in that round, that’s only about a 30-mile round trip. I’d like that change.”

Mortimer Jordan head coach Laura Rickman said she understood what the move was trying to accomplish, but she’d prefer the current system of two rounds of sub-state play to remain in place.

“I like the chance to host in the sub-state round,” she said. “It’s not really a money-making issue for your school, but it’s the atmosphere of having a playoff series in front of your home fans. It’s huge in our community. The atmosphere for a home playoff series is just great.”

Rickman thought another reason for the possible change was that the AHSAA wanted to make sure the best teams advance to Montgomery.

“I think they know there’s an issue that some good teams don’t make it,” she added. “But it really comes down to who’s playing well at the right time of the season.”

Gardendale head coach Brad Myrick said he’d be happy either way, whether the proposal passes or the current system stays in place.

“It really doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I know you might be losing home field advantage in the first or second round, but at a neutral site, every team would have a fair chance to make it to Montgomery.”

The current system of sub-state play has been in use since the 2000 season.