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North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:36 pm
by Run4Fun2009
VALLEY CITY, N.D. — The North Dakota High School Activities Association has split high school softball into two divisions, starting next spring.

Association Executive Secretary Sherm Sylling tells The Forum newspaper that the board and the state's softball advisory committee must now come up with a plan for a Class B state tournament. He says it might initially have fewer than eight teams.

West Fargo coach Pat Johnson says the A and B tournaments could be played at the same time in West Fargo.

The Packers have won 14 consecutive state championships. The Activities Association began sanctioning championships in the sport in 2009.

(June 26th, 2011 - GF Herald)

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:09 pm
by scoobyx2
This is great for ND fastpitch!

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:23 pm
by Indy5
Run, based on the schools that fielded a team this year (even if it was just a JV team) could you show us what the classes will look like next year?

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:07 am
by Run4Fun2009
Indy5 wrote:Run, based on the schools that fielded a team this year (even if it was just a JV team) could you show us what the classes will look like next year?


I don't know this for sure...I'm sure that is still to be decided.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:06 am
by scoobyx2
Several schools played a JV schedule, but I think Enderlin-MV (Region 1) and Minot Bishop Ryan (Region 3) were the only Class B schools who competed at the Region tourneys. I would guess Ryan would choose to stay in Class A.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:38 am
by Run4Fun2009
scoobyx2 wrote:Several schools played a JV schedule, but I think Enderlin-MV (Region 1) and Minot Bishop Ryan (Region 3) were the only Class B schools who competed at the Region tourneys. I would guess Ryan would choose to stay in Class A.


There was no region tourney for Region 1..but Central Cass and Enderlin played varsity schedules this past year.

Possible Class A schools:
West Fargo
Fargo North
Fargo South
Fargo Davies
Fargo Shanley
Valley City
Jamestown
GF Red River
GF Central
Devils Lake
Bismarck
Century
Dickinson
Minot

Teams on the Fence between the classes (all have competed and done well against the other Class A schools in the past).
Minot Ryan*
Central Cass*
Enderlin-Maple Valley*

Possible Class B Schools:
TMCHS ? (they would at least fit in with the Class B schools)
Grafton
May-Port-CG
Thompson
Dakota Prairie
Hankinson
Des Lacs-Burlington
Kenmare-Bowbells-MLS
Northern Cass
Wyndmere* (I've heard there's been some talk of starting up a program).

are there anymore western teams possibly that would field a team if there are two divisions? Hazen? Watford City? Bottineau? Rugby? etc...

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:40 am
by scoobyx2
Mandan and Williston have been discussing it, but it may be a few years down the road. I haven't heard of any other small towns out of the West. Many are playing busy traveling basketball schedules.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:13 am
by Run4Fun2009
K well its a start with what I have listed above...I might think that the three on the fence teams will have their choice on which Class they want to be in..I kind of see them moving down.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:08 pm
by scoobyx2
Run4Fun2009 wrote:K well its a start with what I have listed above...I might think that the three on the fence teams will have their choice on which Class they want to be in..I kind of see them moving down.

I hope Ryan stays in Class A. They are competitive, and it would be good for their program to compete w/ Minot and the other Region 3 teams.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:06 pm
by Indy5
scoobyx2 wrote:
Run4Fun2009 wrote:K well its a start with what I have listed above...I might think that the three on the fence teams will have their choice on which Class they want to be in..I kind of see them moving down.

I hope Ryan stays in Class A. They are competitive, and it would be good for their program to compete w/ Minot and the other Region 3 teams.

I agree and think they should saty up as well. I'd think that they'd go to a 2 region format now instead of te 3 regions, but who knows. It would make more sense to be 2 regions.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:30 pm
by scoobyx2
Indy5 wrote:
scoobyx2 wrote:
Run4Fun2009 wrote:K well its a start with what I have listed above...I might think that the three on the fence teams will have their choice on which Class they want to be in..I kind of see them moving down.

I hope Ryan stays in Class A. They are competitive, and it would be good for their program to compete w/ Minot and the other Region 3 teams.

I agree and think they should saty up as well. I'd think that they'd go to a 2 region format now instead of te 3 regions, but who knows. It would make more sense to be 2 regions.

I think 2 regions would be good too, but they would have to be creative w/ scheduling. The travel time for the West teams could get excessive.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:02 am
by softball2121
Minot Ryan will stay up, no doubt at all. They would never drop down. Central cass and enderlin are not on the fence, they will both go down. There will be a west and east region now, no more 3 region system.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:38 am
by scoobyx2
Kindred has a program that has been consistently growing. I believe they have been running a JV schedule, and will go w/ a Varsity schedule this spring. They will compete well w/ Central Cass and Enderlin.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:00 pm
by ProudPirate
Hankinson played a full varsity schedule this past season in Region 1. They played a jv schedule 2 years ago. As with most new fast pitch programs we look forward to the A/B split. Going from 13 sanctioned teams 2 years ago to over 30 expected this next year it is great to see the interest.

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 11:29 pm
by Run4Fun2009
ProudPirate wrote:Hankinson played a full varsity schedule this past season in Region 1. They played a jv schedule 2 years ago. As with most new fast pitch programs we look forward to the A/B split. Going from 13 sanctioned teams 2 years ago to over 30 expected this next year it is great to see the interest.


It was just nice to get it sanctioned!

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:47 am
by falconer
any word on some new schools having teams this upcoming season? Wyndmere? Northern Cass?

Re: North Dakota Softball being split into 2 classes

PostPosted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:23 pm
by ProudPirate
Previous Teams
1. Central Cass
2. Grafton
3. Enderlin - Maple Valley
4. Hankinson
5. Dakota Prarie
6. Thompson
New Additions
7.Kenmare-Bowbells
8. May Port
9. Kindred
10. Northern Cass
11. Des Lacs Burlington
12. Hillsboro??
13. ???