The Michigan High School Athletic Association has adjusted the spring 2021 schedule, delaying the start of practices in those sports by a week to March 22 and competition to March 26 to accommodate a later end to winter sports.
The calendar change should ease pressure on indoor facility usage and athletes changing seasons, with winter sports concluding up to two weeks later this school year after a delayed start due to COVID-19.
The association’s Representative Council based its decision in part on feedback from a survey of MHSAA member high schools, which saw 74 percent favoring a delay in spring sports activity of at least a week. State coaches’ associations for spring sports also were consulted. Generally, the great majority of Michigan schools are unable to begin consistent spring sports outdoor activity and competition until early April.
All spring sports tournament dates remain as originally scheduled, with MHSAA Finals in baseball, softball and girls’ soccer concluding the 2020-21 postseason June 19.
The entire spring sports season was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, the Council approved an allowance for spring teams to meet for voluntary practices over 16 contact days in September and October. General conditioning with an unlimited number of students is currently allowed, with other out-of-season training (four-player workouts, open gyms/facilities) allowed to continue through March 21, with the council having eliminated the preseason downtime restriction for spring sports this year.