The GHSA is asking for trouble

The GHSA has had its ups and downs with many people having mixed feelings about the organization. However, their latest blunder has left many coaches, players, and fans scratching their heads.

There has not been an adequate amount of time for teams to practice before the earliest date for a game recently. Basketball had three weeks of practice before the season, which is good, and football was given less than 20 days of fully padded practice, but still had good practice time overall.

However, the GHSA took limiting pre-season practice a step too far to the point that it seems they are just asking for injuries. This season, baseball and soccer teams are not allowed to practice until January 27 with the earliest allowed game on February 10. That gives these players just two weeks to get their bodies prepared for a long season. This is extremely unsafe for these student-athletes as they are being asked to prep themselves for a 30-plus game season. 

Thomas County Central baseball, for example, will play 31 games between February 10 and April 18, not including any post-season play. They have six double-headers on their schedule as well, according to MaxPreps.

This is just asking for kids to get hurt.

It gets worse when we take a look at softball in 2024, which had a grand total of three days between their first allowed practice and their first game.

To put this in perspective, Alabama allows baseball practice in a throwing capacity on January 13 to allow kids to get their arms ready for their first possible game on February 13. Tennessee allows three full weeks of practice before its first baseball contests in early March. They do the same with softball and Alabama gives their girls a full month of prep work.

This is a needless risk from the GHSA that endangers student-athletes. Injuries are a part of sports, unfortunately, and sometimes things happen. But there are good ways to limit the potential for injury and the GHSA has ignored the most obvious. Give kids the necessary time to prepare for the season. This has to change.