Captain’s Practices Long Prohibited by MIAA

RMHS sports team captains and their teams, along with many others across Massachusetts, may have been running captain’s practices in violation of the MIAA’s policy on out-of-season events leading up to the spring sports season.

The MIAA prohibits captains from running practices in the off-season to ensure safety, prevent hazing, and avoid pressure on athletes. However, many students believe that captain’s practices help them prepare for the season and get into practice for playing their sport. While the policy aims to protect athletes, it has sparked tension among athletes and coaches, who believe that this rule prohibits athletes from reaching their full potential.

As spring approaches, many student-athletes throughout Massachusetts are excited for the spring sports season. From baseball to tennis and from softball to track and field, students are jumping in anticipation to play the sport that they love. To get ready for this spring, many kids have been training year-round. They’ve been strength training in the gym, joining club sports, and even holding “illegal” captain’s practices. “Captain’s practice,” a frequently occurring off-season event where high school athletes come together to practice with one another, cannot be sanctioned by any school in the MIAA. In fact, the MIAA Handbook has an official statement on the concept: 

“The MIAA does not sanction, encourage, or condone ‘Captain’s Practice’ in any sport.  ‘Captain’s Practice’, depending on the member school’s involvement, may be a clear violation of the rule defining season limitations.”   

High school sports teams are not allowed to practice outside of specific dates that define the “sports season,” but that hasn’t stopped many in the region from getting extra practice time.

After hearing about the MIAA policy, many spring sport captains around RMHS haven’t been shy to express their disapproval of the rule. Jack Filipski (’25), a three-season sport captain in cross country, hockey, and lacrosse, stated that the rule is “kind of silly.” According to Filipski, teams “need to practice in the offseason to get better and to be ready for the season. If a team follows it and doesn’t practice before the season, they will not be ready for the season and therefore not be a good team out of the gate.” Captain’s practice serves as a way to hone individual skills and to strengthen team chemistry needed to be successful. When interviewed, baseball captain Ryan Marino (’25) said, “I don’t think it’s fair because before the season, especially for baseball, you gotta have a lot of preparation and getting a bunch of guys together in a captain’s practice helps prepare each of the guys.” Marino and many other athletes say captain’s practices are a great preseason tool for athletes and teams to be the best that they can be.

Athletic Director Mr. Zaya believes that the policy was put in place for insurance reasons: “If somebody did get hurt, or if I twist an ankle doing something, is that a school event, is it not a school event? Is it just a bunch of kids that are playing something?” There is a risk that comes from a lack of adult supervision, and Mr. Zaya believes that the captain’s practices may be viewed as official team events which could lead to confusion about whether they are school-sponsored or not. This raises the question of liability about who would be responsible if an athlete did get hurt, or if there was a case about hazing among the athletes. Judging from the policy, the MIAA doesn’t want to be responsible for either of these things.

The MIAA has no way to enforce its policy other than through local athletic directors like RMHS’ very own Athletic Director Mr. Zaya. Even with that, the policy for captain’s practice isn’t universally known. Marino only found out about the policy as he was being interviewed. Additionally, Mr. Zaya stated, “People will sometimes tell me ‘Can I reserve the field house cause we’re gonna have captains practice?’” Mr. Zaya does not approve such requests, but the requests imply that student-athletes and captains don’t even know of its illegality. 

Anyone can do offseason training to improve their game, but athletes believe individual training can only do so much. “[Captain’s practice] establishes almost a trust between us, which I think is very good. It helps prepare each of the guys before the season,” said Marino. Athletes view captain’s practice is an important part of how the team prepares for the season.  They see captain’s practice as more than pre-season preparation; it is about building a team culture.  Meghan Shanahan (’25), the girl’s lacrosse captain, added, “We also use it as a way to get to know the girls and see everyone who’s trying out, especially the incoming freshmen. It’s a good way for them to get to know everyone and get everyone on a first-name basis with a connection going into the season.”