EAST LANSING — The MHSAA has delayed the start of practices for spring sports by a week to March 22 and competition to March 26 to accommodate the extension of the winter sports season.

As voted on by the Representative Council, the MHSAA hopes the change will alleviate pressures on indoor facility usage and athletes changing seasons because of the delayed start and later finishes for winter sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A survey of MHSAA-member high schools found 74 percent favoring a delay, while state coaches associations for spring sports were also consulted.

Nevertheless, all spring sports tournament dates remain unchanged, with most Upper Peninsula finals still set for late May and early June. Some statewide finals go further into June as usual, including baseball and softball not concluding state finals until June 19.

The entire spring sports season was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, though the Representative Council OK’d spring teams to meet for voluntary practices over 16 contact days last fall.