(AP) — Mississippi’s high school activities association will no longer sanction slow pitch softball as participation dwindles across the state.

New outlets report the discontinuation was effective following the 2019 season’s recent completion.  The association said in a statement Thursday that its executive committee of school administrators made the decision as participation in the sport decreased to half of what it was six years ago.

A majority of schools governed by the agency are still signed up to participate in fast pitch softball in the spring, which remains sanctioned. Association Director Don Hinton says fast pitch is one of Mississippi schools’ largest sports in terms of participation. He emphasized that fast pitch is played at the collegiate level.

Hinton added that slow pitch softball competed with expanding volleyball programs for participation.