BCAT News

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) held a virtual meeting to review the recent Tournament Management Committee (TMC) recommendations regarding the MIAA Spring Tournament Structure. 19 out of 20 BOD members, TMC representatives, MIAA staff and members of the media were present at the meeting.

The following motions are part of an overall MIAA plan in case the opportunity for holding the 2020 spring season is available. The association will adhere to the guidelines and expectations put forth by Governor Baker in regards to COVID-19.

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

The first motion was to proceed forward with the recommendation from the TMC to play through a sectional tournament in the spring. The motion was approved unanimously.

The second motion was regarding a regular season cutoff date for baseball, Lacrosse, Rugby, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball on June 12th at 7 pm. The seeding for the tournaments will take place the next day and the playoffs will be on June 15th and end on the 27th (rain date: June 28). The motion was approved 18-0-0.

The board decided that there will be no Division 1A Tournament this season and the decision was approved unanimously.

Three other motions were approved by the board regarding a cutoff date for Golf,Track and Field and having no individual tennis tournaments for the 2020 spring season.

Golf will have a cutoff and entry due dates of June 11 at 8pm for regular season competition. Sectional tournaments may begin on June 15th. Track and Field will have a cutoff date of June 21st at 6pm with entries received by June 22nd. Sectional meets will be scheduled for June 27 and 28th. The Pentathlon has been scheduled for June 25th. The individual tennis tournaments have been cancelled for the 2020 season. All of these motions were approved unanimously.

Rule 40: Out-of-Season Coach- Athlete contact limitations
Rule 45 Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide team member

A motion was accepted through the recommendations of the MIAA sub-committee to waive rule 40 out-of-season for spring 2020 coaches. This motion was approved unanimously. You may find the full recommendation from the sub-committee here.

Student Eligibility/School Requirements: Physical Examinations/Medical Coverage/Concussions Rule 56.1

At the BOD March 30th meeting a waiver of physical exams was approved. Since then, communication with the Department of Public Health (DPH) occurred indicating the BOD does not have the jurisdiction to modify the regulatory statute for requiring physical exams. Further communication from the DPH is forthcoming, however, any changes to the mandate would need to be put forth by the Commissioner of the DPH as a waiver request. The original rule in the MIAA Handbook stands in regards to physical exams (Rule 56.1)

Originally the next meeting was going to be held on May 5th, however that will not take place. A rescheduled date will be determined.