Is South Dakota the only state not to sanction high school baseball?

No

South Dakota and Wyoming are the only states that dont sanction baseball at the high school level.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association voted on June 18, 2025, not to add the sport to its list of sanctioned activities, which means the sport would be governed by the SDHSAA. Instead, baseball is run by the South Dakota High School Baseball Association.

SDHSAA executive director Dan Swartos said the association polled 100 superintendents and activities directors, and a majority said not to sanction the sport because of financial and Title IX reasons.

Lets keep looking at this, Swartos said. Now is not the right time.

The SDHSAA told superintendents that startup costs for adding the sport could be between $10,000-$15,000 plus travel expenses. When a sport isnt sanctioned, athletes pay more of the costs for participating. In Sioux Falls, the 2025 fee for baseball players was $650.

This fact brief responds to conversations such asthis one.

Sources

• Watertown Public Opinion,S.D. High School Activities Association board decides not to act on sanctioning baseball
• 605 Sports,SDHSAA delays decision on sanctioning baseball, will continue to explore opportunities in the future
• KELO-TV,Baseball sanctioning set aside for now
• Sioux Empire Baseball Association,2025 high school baseball information sheet

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