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.
MHSAA associate director for athletics Ricky Neaves said about 20 schools dropped the sport this year, reducing the number fielding teams to 89. That's just 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.”
French Camp is one of the schools that continues to field a slow pitch team. “We are committed to going ahead with it (slow pitch),” said athletic director Rusty McKnight. “We know like everyone that slow pitch is on its way out, but we’re planning to continue slow pitch in the fall.”
Most of the schools that dropped slow-pitch have replaced it with volleyball as a fall sport for girls. Volleyball will increase from three to four classes this year. If MHSAA discontinues the sport, McKnight said volleyball is an option.
French Camp will compete in slow-pitch Class I, Region 5 with Ethel, McAdams, 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 a reason 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,” he said.
