Q?: CA 14u, rules about 'going dark' during HS?

[anonlooker]

What rules affect whether a 14U team plays through the high school season in California? Talking CIF, ASA, or others that may govern the participation of players, coaches, etc.

The question came up and while a lot of folks had answers, they actually sounded like opinions or guesses. So I thought I'd consult the resident experts here.

[3rd Base Coach]

I am not saying that I am an expert but I do read the rule book.
page 194 in the CIF Southern Section Blue Book - #2514 Outside competition by an Individual :
During Individual's Season of Sport - A member of a high school softball team may not, during his or her season of sport, compete for an outside team in the sport of softball.
A 14u team may play during the high school season but a high school softball player playing for a high school in the CIF Southern Section can not play for ANY other team except her high school team.

[Bill_B]

I am not saying that I am an expert but I do read the rule book.
page 194 in the CIF Southern Section Blue Book - #2514 Outside competition by an Individual :
During Individual's Season of Sport - A member of a high school softball team may not, during his or her season of sport, compete for an outside team in the sport of softball.
A 14u team may play during the high school season but a high school softball player playing for a high school in the CIF Southern Section can not play for ANY other team except her high school team.

This is true only of varsity players isn't it? If a player is on JV or Frosh/Soph these rules do not apply do they?

[3rd Base Coach]

The CIF rule quoted above refers to ANY girl playing at ANY level of high school softball in the CIF Southern Section. Thus, a Freshman sitting on the bench on her high school Freshman, JV or Varsity team can not play for another team.

[90066DAD]

If a HS girl is playing for a school subject to the jurisdiction of of CIF-SS, can she practice with her travel team during the HS softball season (e.g., on Sundays)?

I would assume the answer is yes, because participating in a practice should not be construed as "competing" for an outside team.

[KT93]

Not sure about California but in my neck of the woods if a player is on the HS roster, she CAN NOT have ANY contact with her Travel ball team until the HS team is finished playing. This INCLUDES Practices...

[almosthuman]

CIF San Diego Section prohibits playing or practicing with an "outside team".

From 2008/2009 CIF Green Book San Diego Section

600.1 (b)
Outside Team - During a San Diego Section athlete’s season of sport, he or she may not participate or practice on an outside team in the same sport (Approved January 21, 2003 Board of Managers). For the purpose of this rule, an outside team is defined as a non-CIF team consisting of half or more of the number of players required to start a contest by the respective National Federation rules book.

[3rd Base Coach]

Yes, A girl may practice with her travelball team during high school season in the CIF Southern Section. She may practice any day or evening of the week (including Sundays).
The CIF Southern Section's Blue Book makes rules for their high schools. They do not make rules for travelball teams. A travelball team may practice whenever they want.
The other Calif CIF Sections make their own rules regarding their sections - San Diego for one.

[Mineki]

For the San Diego section, I assume it is OK to have other team activities, e.g. get togethers, fund raisers, etc, as long as it is not an on-the-field activity. I have seen other teams do these things during the high school season.

[anonlooker]

Per CIF - SS, are friendlies 'practice' or 'games'.

It seems most coaches say they are for 'practice' and 'tune-ups' for tournaments.

And curious, for those who have been through this, what happens to the 8th graders if their team goes dark? Seems like a little bit of a screwy situation, and something that should really be taken into account by many first year 14U players.