Why the Smiths Station High School softball team was removed from state playoffs
The Alabama High School Athletic Association has removed the Smiths Station High School softball team from the state playoffs for a rule violation.
“Smiths Station’s varsity softball program has been fined and placed on probation due to violation of the AHSAA Contest Limitation Rule,” the AHSAA announced on its website Wednesday. “The violation was self-reported by the school.”
The amount of the fine and the terms of the probation weren’t disclosed.
According to the AHSAA Handbook, a softball player is limited to participating in a total of 14 games in a season (combining varsity, junior varsity, junior high school and middle school contests) plus five tournaments.
The Ledger-Enquirer didn’t reach SSHS principal Adam Johnson, athletics director Bryan Eason or softball head coach Michael King for comment before publication.
As a result of this violation, SSHS “forfeited all games the player participated in over the limit and the school will not participate in the AHSAA Central Regional softball qualifier tournament with its runner-up finish in the 7A, Area 4 tourney,” the AHSAA announcement says. “Auburn High School, which finished third in the area tourney, will move into that regional slot and will face Baker High School in the Central Regional first-round game next week.”
