GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Play ball. Sanctioned ball.
The North Dakota High School Activities Association confirmed Tuesday that girls fastpitch softball will become a sanctioned sport during the 2008-09 school year.
"We were just informed at the beginning of June that we have commitment signatures from all 12 teams," NDHSAA executive director Sherm Sylling said.
During an NDHSAA board of directors meeting March 16, 2007, the board stated softball would become a sanctioned sport in 2008-09, provided there are a minimum of 12 teams.
The 12 teams that have agreed to participate are Bismarck, Devils Lake, Enderlin, Fargo North, Fargo Shanley, Fargo South, Grafton, Grand Forks Central, Grand Forks Red River, Minot, Minot Ryan and West Fargo.
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"We're in the process of setting up a meeting with those schools to work on regulations, schedules and tournaments," Sylling said.
A club tournament has been held the past 12 seasons. Grafton was the only team of the 12 listed that didn't play in the state club tournament this spring.
In 2000, the state had just seven teams, including four Fargo schools, two Grand Forks schools and Devils Lake. Slowly, the interest spread.
The Grand Forks Herald and The Forum are both owned by Forum Communications Co.
