Board allows eighth-graders to play on high school baseball team after debate over process

The Big Sky School K-12 Board of Trustees voted unanimously to allow eighth-grade students to play on the high school baseball team this season, after extended discussion about roster size, pitch-count safety and the timing of the request.

Activities director Hans explained roster and rule basics, saying MHSA defines a baseball squad as 14 players and that, with 17 rostered players, the school was within the handbook’s 150% guideline for elevating younger players. “In that purview, we are within that 150% of roster number,” Hans said during the meeting.

Trustees raised process concerns. One trustee objected to the late timing of the request and asked for a clearer, documented chain of command so future requests go from coach to athletic director to the board rather than through ad hoc outreach. “The process needs to be written down and validated,” a trustee said, noting that parents contacting board members directly has created confusion.

Why it matters: Trustees balanced student opportunity and safety (pitch counts and doubleheaders were mentioned as considerations) with a need for transparent procedures. The decision allows the current student to participate while the board directed staff to draft clearer athletic-handbook language and timelines for such requests.

What happens next: Staff will prepare an updated athletic handbook and a process timeline for bringing future participation requests to the board before a season begins.