Contributed
(July 26, 2010)

The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control has approved its Revenue Sharing Plan that will return $1.2 million to its member schools as early as this fall. The action was taken Wednesday at its annual summer meeting in Montgomery. The AHSAA Legislative Council also met recently.

The formula for the distribution of funds includes a differential between classes and the number of sports played by non-football playing schools.

 “This is a great moment for AHSAA member schools,” said Executive Director Steve Savarese, who had proposed the Revenue Sharing Plan to the Central Board last year. The plan returns excess funds back to the schools when the AHSAA has at least one year’s working capital in reserve.

The Central Board placed an additional $1 to playoff tickets earlier this decade to generate funds for the new AHSAA office building in Montgomery. After the building mortgage was paid off, the additional $1 was directed to the Revenue Sharing Plan.

 “This will bring some welcome help to our member schools,” Savarese said.

In addition, for the 18th consecutive year, the Central Board voted to waive annual dues for member high schools and junior high/middle schools.

In other Board action:

Approved a clarification to the Eligibility Verification Requirements Rule. If a school fails to submit an eligible student on its on-line eligibility report and that student participates in a contest, the school will be fined $500 for the reporting error. No forfeits will assessed.

Approved the Baseball Coaches Committee recommendation to amend the AHSAA Pitching Rule. The revised rule states a player may pitch in a maximum of seven innings or make two appearances in one day or over two consecutive calendar days must rest for three calendar days before pitching again. The total innings allowed per calendar week remains at 14.

Approved the financial report for spring championship sports of soccer, softball, baseball and track as well as the 2009-10 AHSAA and AHSADCA audits and 2010-11 budgets.

Approved a 6A soccer playoff change for 2011 that advances four teams from each section, adds one additional sub-state round and reduces regular season matches from 20 to 18. Classes 1A-4A and 5A and will continue to be allowed 20 regular season matches and to follow their same playoff format.

Approved elimination of post-season play in softball and baseball once a team’s regular season ends. Only teams that advance in the playoffs may continue after the end of regular season play.

Approved three days conditioning in helmets prior to spring football practice.

Approved a reclassification adjustment in basketball for Class 6A that moved Grissom from Area 16 to Area 14.

Approved the establishment of on-line rules tests for high school and junior high/middle school head coaches, beginning in the 2011-12 school year.

Recognized retiring Central Board member Jim Garner of Covington County.  Replacing him from District 2 is Lamar Brooks of  Dale County Schools.