ALBANY - Albany High School canceled its baseball season this spring due to a lack of enough players, and next year's season may be in jeopardy if a cooperative agreement can't be reached with another school.
Albany Athletic Director Derik Doescher announced the cancellation of this baseball season on Friday. Baseball practice started Monday and Albany had eight players. By Thursday, the Comets were down to seven players, which is two less than required to fill a starting lineup.
"We wanted to make it fair enough to the other teams to pick up other games, and the umpires to pick up other games," Doescher said. "Out of respect for other schools, umpires and some of the players who wanted to try track and field if they didn't have baseball, we needed to make a decision sooner than later. Holding out for a few more days doesn't make sense because we have had a year to make this happen and still can't."
Doescher knew the participation numbers for baseball would be tight this year. That's why last April, Doescher approached the school board about developing a baseball co-op. At a parent-athlete spring meeting a few weeks ago, numbers for baseball were scarce, Doescher said.
"We looked into the co-op last April and between the board and the community they felt like we could scrounge up enough players," Doescher said. "If we don't look into a co-op for next year we will be in the same situation."
Doescher said he's not sure who Albany could co-op with for baseball if that is what board members want. Albany co-ops with Juda for softball. However, Brodhead and Juda already co-op for baseball. Albany does have football and wrestling co-ops with Evansville.
The deadline to file for a co-op agreement with the WIAA is June 1.
Doescher said he will be looking at options for a baseball team for the school board to review in April.
Four of the players who signed up for baseball are seniors.
"Our numbers will be very scarce again next year," he said. "If we are going to look into a co-op for next year we have to have it done by June 1."
Now three players who signed up to play baseball will switch to track and field - sophomore Josh Dahl, senior Trevor Mueller and senior Travis Oliver.
"They all ran cross country in the fall, and Josh Dahl made it to state," Doescher said. "They will definitely be big contributors for (Tony) Brewer's track team."
Albany Athletic Director Derik Doescher announced the cancellation of this baseball season on Friday. Baseball practice started Monday and Albany had eight players. By Thursday, the Comets were down to seven players, which is two less than required to fill a starting lineup.
"We wanted to make it fair enough to the other teams to pick up other games, and the umpires to pick up other games," Doescher said. "Out of respect for other schools, umpires and some of the players who wanted to try track and field if they didn't have baseball, we needed to make a decision sooner than later. Holding out for a few more days doesn't make sense because we have had a year to make this happen and still can't."
Doescher knew the participation numbers for baseball would be tight this year. That's why last April, Doescher approached the school board about developing a baseball co-op. At a parent-athlete spring meeting a few weeks ago, numbers for baseball were scarce, Doescher said.
"We looked into the co-op last April and between the board and the community they felt like we could scrounge up enough players," Doescher said. "If we don't look into a co-op for next year we will be in the same situation."
Doescher said he's not sure who Albany could co-op with for baseball if that is what board members want. Albany co-ops with Juda for softball. However, Brodhead and Juda already co-op for baseball. Albany does have football and wrestling co-ops with Evansville.
The deadline to file for a co-op agreement with the WIAA is June 1.
Doescher said he will be looking at options for a baseball team for the school board to review in April.
Four of the players who signed up for baseball are seniors.
"Our numbers will be very scarce again next year," he said. "If we are going to look into a co-op for next year we have to have it done by June 1."
Now three players who signed up to play baseball will switch to track and field - sophomore Josh Dahl, senior Trevor Mueller and senior Travis Oliver.
"They all ran cross country in the fall, and Josh Dahl made it to state," Doescher said. "They will definitely be big contributors for (Tony) Brewer's track team."
