Opinion: Down to their final strike, AHSAA swings and misses – Shelby County Reporter

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | editor-in-chief

There are no secrets when it comes to the love-hate relationship many in this state have had with the Alabama High School Athletic Association, but unfortunately, lately there have been more reasons to be disappointed than pleased.

An organization that has weathered the turmoil of COVID as well as anyone in the country has seemingly balanced the good with one bad decision after another in terms of its true focus, creating an unforgettable experience for student-athletes and their coaches.

In 2019, basketball player Maori Davenport was benched for her senior season at Charles Henderson High School after receiving a check for $857.20 from U.S. Basketball. That amount was quickly repaid by Davenport, but that wasn’t enough for AHSAA, and she continued to be penalized for being good enough to represent her country nationally.

hit one

Then, last year, the Oakwood Academy boys’ basketball team had to give up their Sweet 16 basketball game against Faith Christian because the game fell on a Saturday that the school observes as a Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath. The school asked that the game be postponed, but AHSAA blamed the school, saying they knew the possibility existed and basically told them to suck it up and play anyway.

The team stayed strong and didn’t play, the governor got involved and the rule has since been changed to allow teams to reschedule games on religious grounds for standing against the AHSAA.

hit two

Now, ahead of the 2023 baseball season, Hoover High School baseball coach Adam Moseley, considered one of the best in the state, has to miss the entire baseball season.

Why? Because like Davenport, he represented his country.

Moseley and one of his players have both earned a spot on the U-18 Baseball World Cup team, and AHSAA rules prohibit a coach from coaching one of his high school players outside of the regular practice and competition period.

This rule is designed to discourage high school coaches from coaching players during AAU and Rec-League sports, which is a bad rule on a whole different level to begin with, but doesn’t take into account a coach and a player, both of whom represent the country of the United States team.

Legitimately, Moseley and Hoover infielder RJ Hamilton both attended the game. Hoover High School officials have continually contacted AHSAA in advance to try to prevent this situation.

Then two weeks ago it was decided that the season had to be paused.

Moseley did the right thing and took the suspension by the chin so Hamilton didn’t have to miss his senior season.

beat three

As a newspaper, we have had our own disputes with AHSAA, from being snubbed for showing up to cover an event to refusing to issue special printed celebration sheets without explanation as “it violates our bylaws.” just for others to share.

The AHSAA’s credibility is completely gone. It was bad enough to embarrass athletes and coaches at the local and state levels, but now it’s happened three times nationally in less than four years.

The AHSAA has struck. It’s time for a change.