The NCAA Cabinet met Friday and tweaked the proposed 5-for-5 Rule. The key point of this age-based eligibility model would allow student-athletes up to five years of competition during a five-year window. The idea is to simplify eligibility and eliminate all the current exceptions, such as redshirt seasons, medical waivers, and subjective hardship appeals. Yesterday’s tweak, per ESPN, “now says the clock will start upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.” The rule has a lot of support, including NCAA President Charlie Baker and outgoing VT President Tim Sands, who is currently the Chairman of the Division I Board of Directors. Sands was quoted as saying “This is about clear and consistent standards. The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules.” This rule will reportedly take effect at the beginning of the 2026–27 academic year, which means current student-athletes would be covered and could potentially play a fifth season. So VT softball’s upcoming year’s roster, including seniors-to-be Michelle Chatfield, Emma Mazzarone, Zoe Yaeger, Addy Foster, Annika Rohs and others, could play an extra year, IF they so desired (AND IF there were a roster spot available). The downside, as Extra Inning Softball recently pointed out, is the roster congestion that this rule could cause. For example, VT Softball currently has five commits in the Class of 2027. If the roster limit stays at 25 (which it sounds like it will), there could be a real log jam if some of the players want to play a fifth year. Stay tuned.