The South Dakota High School Activities will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 17 in Pierre, followed by the April meeting of the Board of Directors approximately 30 minutes following the completion of the Annual Meeting. 

The Board of Directors meeting will adjourn on Wednesday and then re-convene on Thursday, April 18, if necessary.

The Board of Directors agenda has been released. Of note, the board will discuss requests from Mount Vernon Superintendent Eric Denning and McCook Central Superintendent Matt Alley to start the process of sanctioning baseball. 

In a written letter to the SDHSAA, Denning stated “As a devoted member of the SDHSAA Board of Directors and the Superintendent of Mt. Vernon School, I write with a sense of urgency and purpose to formally request the inclusion of high school baseball as a sanctioned sport within South Dakota.

In recent years, we have observed a concerning decline in participation in Legion and VFW baseball across our state. This decline has raised alarms about the long-term viability and sustainability of baseball programs in South Dakota. High school baseball, as a sanctioned sport, presents a crucial opportunity to reverse this trend, revitalizing the sport and securing its place in the fabric of our local communities.

The decline in participation in Legion and VFW baseball not only affects the availability of

opportunities for our youth but also poses a threat to the rich tradition and legacy of baseball in our state. High school baseball, with its structured and inclusive framework, can serve as a catalyst for renewed interest and engagement among students, fostering a sense of pride and community around the sport.

By embracing high school baseball, we have a chance to address the challenges faced by Legion and VFW baseball and create a sustainable pathway for the growth of the sport in South Dakota. The positive impact of high school sports on the overall development of students is well-documented, and by sanctioning baseball at this level, we can offer a compelling alternative for students while safeguarding the future of the sport.

I recognize that decisions of this nature require careful consideration of various factors, including logistics, finances, and overall impact on the student body. To support this request, I am committed to working collaboratively with the SDHSAA, offering any necessary assistance to conduct a thorough feasibility study and address any concerns that may arise.”

In a written letter to Denning on the matter, Alley stated “As a member school, McCook Central School District would like to see baseball added as a sanctioned sport. We would also like to see the sport be in the Summer because schools our size are competing for the same student-athletes to participate in all our activities, this comes with support from our School Board, the Administration, the Local Baseball Association, and our entire community.

There will be challenges to the current summer format for baseball here in South Dakota, but it’s time for movement from a club sport in the spring, to a school-sanctioned summer sport. I will be glad to help move this along supporting, testifying, or serving in any capacity to have

this come to fruition. I am hopeful that we can get this to the SDHSAA Board and get things rolling with adding baseball as school school-sanctioned sport.”