posted June 5, 2003
In Board of Control meetings Wednesday, the TSSAA voted to move the Division II state basketball tournaments from Murfreesboro to Nashville's David Lipscomb University.
The change will take effect immediately. David Lipscomb has hosted the Division II sectional tournaments for the past several years.
The tournament will feature eight girls and boys teams and will conclude two weeks earlier than the Division I state championships.
The TSSAA also voted on the following changes to be effective in the Fall.
The vote on the Division I tournaments is expected Thursday morning.
STATE VOLLEYBALL CHANGES- The state's volleyball tournament saw a significant format change. The scoring has been modified to the rally scoring format widely used across the country and two four-team brackets will replace the pool play format that was the standard. The double-elimination bracket change is a direct result of the rally scoring format, which is expected to result in ``significantly'' longer matches.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS-Passed rule changes that mandate host teams in the football playoffs must provide separate dressing rooms and a shower area for visiting teams and officials. Failure to do so could result in the forfeiture of hosting rights. Teams must also have a restraining fence around the playing field or a stadium configuration that allows crowd control, such as a rope around the field with security personnel present.
POSTSEASON SOFTBALL-Ruled that minimum fence lengths of 185 feet down the lines and 235 feet in center field were mandatory to host postseason softball tournaments, per national rules. In addition, venues must feature a ``skinned'' (grass-less) infield and adequate dugouts. The board also recommended stronger consideration be given to teams with nighttime lighting.
TARPS NEEDED IN BASEBALL-Proposed that baseball teams with tarps to cover the playing surface be given a greater chance to host postseason tournaments. Also noted the need for night-time lighting and the ability to strictly enforce admission charges.
OFFICIAL FEES-Voted to keep officials' fees the same for the next two years and then increase fees by $5 across the board in 2005.
BASKETBALL SEATING- Passed minimum seating requirements for host sites of postseason basketball tournaments. Class A must have at least 1,000 seats; Class AA 1,250; Class AAA 1,500. These figures are based on an 18-inch seat and are for district, regional and sectional tournaments. The changes will go into effect in the coming season and teams that do not have adequate gymnasiums will be forced to find an alternate site or lose hosting rights.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-It was also passed to renew the contract of executive director Ronnie Carter.
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