PIERRE — The South Dakota High School Activities Association held its annual board of directors meeting on June 18, and sanctioning baseball was among the discussion topics. 

The board of directors made no decisions about sanctioning high school, but instead discussed the idea and referenced a recent survey to superintendents and athletic directors of member schools. 

The survey received 100 responses and No. 1 bullet point asked: 

“Using the assumptions provided to you (Spring season, similar format and allowable contests to softball, state tournament around or coinciding with the state track meet, five year period of allowable dual funding, similar classification structure as softball, startup costs of $10,000-$15,000 plus transportation and varied levels offered), what would be your preference regarding the sanctioning of high school baseball in South Dakota?”

The responses were: 

“a. Do not sanction at this time, but continue looking at it for the future

depending on future funding and economic outlook- 42%

b. Beginning in 26-27, with the first season being spring 2027- 22%

c. Do not sanction high school baseball- 19%

d. Beginning in 27-28, with the first season being Spring 2028- 14%

e. Beginning in 28-29, with the first season being Spring 2029- 3%”

SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos noted at the meeting, “The overall preference from the schools seems to be to keep looking at it, but now maybe isn't the right time.” 

The survey also asked administrators: 

“Using the assumptions above, if high school baseball were to be sanctioned beginning with the 26-27 school year, with the first season being spring 2027, how likely would your school be to sanction a team?”

The responses were: 

“a. Very unlikely- 27%

b. Unsure- 24%

c. Unlikely- 19%

d. Likely- 18%

e. Very Likely- 12%”

The survey also asked administrators: 

“Using the assumptions above, if high school baseball were to be sanctioned beginning with the 27-28 school year, with the first season being spring 2028, how likely would your school be to sanction a team?”

The responses were: 

“a. Very unlikely- 23%

b. Unsure- 21%

c. Unlikely- 17%

d. Likely- 17%

e. Very Likely- 17%”

Currently, spring baseball is played through the South Dakota High School Baseball Association. South Dakota and Wyoming are the only two states that do not offer state-sanctioned high school baseball. 

Swartos said American Legion and VFW baseball leaders in South Dakota would be OK with it being sanctioned by the SDHSAA. But as long as it's played during the current spring season, so that it would not interfere with the summer seasons. 

Swartos also voiced concerns about the SDHSAA and SDHSBA potentially running their seasons coinciding with each other. 

“There’s 69 teams playing high school baseball right now within that association and are we both going to be running seasons at the same time?” Swartos said. “Twenty playing ours, and 40 on the high school baseball association. That would create its own set of issues.” 

The survey concluded with more data: 

“Of those who indicated a preference to start in 26-27 and indicated they would be likely or very likely to sanction a team, this is what we would have: AA- 2 schools, A- 6 schools, B- 3 schools”

“Same conditions but 26-27 or 27-28: AA- 4 schools, A- 12 schools, B- 4 schools”

“Schools by class who indicated likely or very likely for 26-27, regardless of their preference

on when it should happen: AA- 5 schools, A- 25 schools (some would be co-ops), B- 9 (several would be co-ops)”

“The consensus is to continue looking at it potentially for the future,” Swartos said. “Right now is probably not the right time. We aren’t completely closing the door to it, but to continue exploring it.”