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Would new NCAA policy prohibit MSU from hosting baseball Regionals?

By Josh Barnhill

Nov 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; General view of the NCAA logo during the 2015 NCAA cross country championships at Tom Sawyer Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; General view of the NCAA logo during the 2015 NCAA cross country championships at Tom Sawyer Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NCAA enacted new anti-discriminatory legislation against any potential states hoping to host championship events. How does that effect the state of Mississippi, especially baseball Regionals and Super Regionals?

This spring’s latest hot topic for the politically correct crowd to grind on is all about discrimination towards the LGBT community. North Carolina passed a bill, Georgia didn’t – you know the story.

Now the NCAA has decided to protect what they view is right, which not surprisingly aligns with leftist thought, and enact rules that say no state with discriminatory laws may host their championship events.

Mississippi passed House Bill 1523 earlier this month which was roundly criticized by the LGBT community. I’m sure you know why.

Baseball is a really big deal in the state of Mississippi. MSU and Ole Miss annually draw attendance ranking among the top 5 in the country every year. Southern Miss outdraws most baseball programs in the country and just this week the Governor’s Cup broke the all-time attendance record at Trustmark Park.

So would this new NCAA process ruin Mississippi schools’ ability to host baseball Regionals?

It depends.

The following excerpt is from the NCAA website:

"At its quarterly meeting in Indianapolis, the board adopted a new requirement for sites hosting or bidding on NCAA events in all divisions — from the Men’s and Women’s Final Fours to educational events such as leadership development conferences — to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event."

It appears that this is can be avoided by Ole Miss, MSU and Southern Miss “demonstrating” how they will provide an safe environment to all people. In other words, denounce the state’s legislation. The student association has already done it, so don’t be surprised when the athletic department does too.

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This isn’t the first time Mississippi has been exposed to this. Still standing today is the NCAA’s ban on hosting a predetermined championship event due to the use of the confederate emblem on the state flag.

This new measure adds another layer to Mississippi not being allowed to host these events. Although since Regionals are on campus, there is most likely a way to get around it and end up hosting.

Would it be worth it to you for MSU to denounce the state of Mississippi’s legislation in order to host a baseball Regional and/or Super Regional? I guess it just depends on how strongly you feel about the topic. Or, about the relationship between politics and sports.

This is the world we live in. God help us.

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