KSHSAA votes to extend baseball and softball regular seasons to 26 games

The Kansas High School Activities Association’s Board of Directors voted Wednesday to extend the regular season in both baseball and softball.

High Schools will now be able to play up to 26 regular season games effective immediately. The vote was 42-17 in baseball and 48-11 in softball. This was the second time the KSHSAA Board of Directors had voted on this. In April, the board voted 33-32 to keep the regular seasons at a maximum of 20 games.

Emporia High Athletic Director Beau Welch says extending the season in both baseball and softball gives athletes more opportunities to compete.

Emporia High softball coach Tommy McClure says it’s a good decision to extend the season to 26 games, however, schools like Emporia High are scrambling to add six more games to their schedule.

Emporia High baseball coach Anthony Markowitz says baseball coaches across the state have been wanting the decision to be approved, but they’ll take it when they can get it.

Southern Lyon County coach Dalton Laird, says it’s a great decision. However, he says it starts with getting a full 20-game season in knowing the weather can cause postponements.

Welch says he’s already been in contact with multiple schools to add to their baseball and softball schedules for this spring.