AUGUSTA – With the proposed reduction in state subsidies in education and the expected budget shortfalls across the state, a Maine Principals’ Association committee is proposing several changes to high school athletics beginning next fall.

An ad-hoc committee on athletic policy met this week to address ways to “ensure a level playing field around the state,” according to an MPA press release. The far-reaching recommended changes include:

• A reduction in the maximum countable games in every sport: Competitions that allow 12 or more games will see a two-game reduction, while those that play 10 or fewer will see a one-game reduction. For example, basketball and hockey will go from 18 games to 16, while football will allow a maximum of eight games instead of nine.

• Shorter sports season: Because of the expense in renting pools and hockey facilities, the winter sports season for swimming and hockey will be reduced by one week.

• Non-countable dates: Each sport will be allowed just two dates for all scrimmages, exhibitions, preseason and holiday tournaments.

• Tournaments: In sports that use Heal points, the number of teams qualifying for the postseason will be reduced from 67 percent to 50 percent.

• New England championships: Maine will withdraw from the New England championships.

The MPA Interscholastic Management Committee is expected to vote on the proposed changes in late January. Two of the proposals – maximum countable games and the number of tournament teams – would go into effect for the 2009 spring season.