MHSA votes to add basketball shot clock and sanctioned baseball

At its annual winter meeting on Monday, MHSA approved a proposal to utilize shot clocks for high school basketball.

Shot clocks will be installed following the current basketball season and will be in use by next season. According to the proposal, MHSA notes four benefits of utilizing shot clocks:

• A shot clock would stop stalling in games and require teams to improve game management and strategy.

• The faster pace of the game would encourage player development and improvement.

• The quicker pace would improve the game experience for fans.

• Using a shot clock would better prepare student-athletes for the pace of the game at the college level.

The decision on whether or not to implement high school basketball shot clocks came down to a simple majority vote among the delegates at the meeting. The proposal was issued by Great Falls CMR. Though most voted yes to the proposal, those against it were mostly opposed due to the cost of purchasing and installing the clocks.

Schools will begin to install the 35-second shot clocks at the end of this season in time for summer camps to give high schoolers a chance to get used to them.

The members also voted to sanction high school baseball in the state for the first time since the 1970s. Prior to the vote, Montana was one of three states without high school baseball. The others are South Dakota and Wyoming. With that, the first high school baseball season is set to take place in 2023. Individual school districts will still need to vote on whether or not to pursue fielding a team and have the option of forming co-ops. Many in favor of adding baseball as a sanctioned sport hope it will lead to higher interest and more kids playing the sport.