State cuts number of games
As the state tries to counter the difficult economic times, many student-athletes, including those in Lee County, may suffer the consequence of less opportunity.
Monday, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors in a close vote approved a policy that limits the number of contests a team can schedule for the next two years.
This cuts the maximum number of contests on the varsity level by 20 percent and by 40 percent on the sub-varsity level. The policy states this measure is for two years only and concludes with the 2010-2011 school year. The policy does not impact football.
Though area coaches realize the difficult times and the strain being placed on high school athletic departments, there are obvious drawbacks, particularly for the student-athletes.
“It’s really going to hurt the exposure and playing time,” Mariner baseball coach Steve Larsen said. “Fewer kids will be kept because fewer will be needed.”
Among the biggest areas of concern financially is transportation. Larsen said the FACA coaches proposed an alternative that allows for teams to play a specific number of dates rather than contests, which would limit transportation costs. Doubleheaders or tournaments held on one day, for example, would count only as one date.
The current policy, though, specifically calls for the reduction of contests.
The policy was announced in March, pending the approval of the Board, which came by a 9-6 vote Monday.
Lee County schools have experienced significant budget cuts this year at all levels. An alternative may have been to eliminate some sports rather than reduce the number of contests.
There remains the possibility that local budget cuts could further reduce the number of contests.
Cape Coral High basketball coach Mark Rinehart said he recognizes the ecomomic situation. In basketball, he believes the team can benefit from fewer games and more practice.
Currently, teams such as Cape play a large portion of their schedule in a short period of time, often with three games per week. Some of that has been a result of the Seahawks making the state football playoffs the past two years.
“You never want to take the attention away from the (student-athletes),” said Rinehart, “but one thing we want to do is get better over the course of the season. If you’re not practicing it’s pretty hard to get better.”