The MHSAA Representative Council recently approved multiple proposals during its Winter Meeting on Friday, Mar. 20, in East Lansing.

The first proposal allows softball players to play on teams of multiple levels of that sport on the same day, as long as the athletes do not exceed a total of 38 regular-season games across all levels. This idea is currently used for baseball.

For track and field, a recommendation was approved for regional meets to be allowed on Wednesdays, extending the former three-day window from Thursday to Saturday. This adjustment will allow for regionals to be conducted this season from Wednesday, May 13 through Saturday, May 16.

Both of these proposals will take immediate effect for this upcoming 2026 spring season.

Approved for the start of the 2026-27 school year were matching proposals for golf and tennis regarding the first day of competition. Teams in those sports will now be allowed to compete for the first time after three separate days of practice, as long as it is four calendar days after the first date of practice. All fall sports for 2026-27 are allowed to begin practice on Monday, Aug. 10.

During the meeting, the council also received a report on personal branding activity (PBA) deals since the policy's approval on Jan. 27, and discussed the development of the online 'Transfer Tracker' for eligibility determinations whenever a student transfers schools after beginning ninth grade. The Council will consider taking action on use of the Transfer Tracker during its Spring Meeting on May 3 or 4.

The Representative Council is the legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five members are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.

_{Release courtesy of the MHSAA.}