Statewide media will literally be in the middle of the action during softball games in the upcoming season, and as a result athletes will have another obstacle to work around on foul balls, thanks to a motion approved by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union board of directors Friday morning.

A media box could be drawn up down the third-base line for all regular and postseason games in 2014, as the IGHSAU acted on a ruling by the National Federation of High School Athletic Directors that states only team personnel (players, coaches and trainers) could be in team dugouts.

If media, especially photographers, are covering a game they would be stationed on the field in a designated box, which would be approximately 25 square feet. The board said the media box would only be drawn if there is media present, and likely would not be a huge issue for teams until regional and state playoff games.

The media box will be out of bounds for athletes. If any player steps into the box attempting to make a catch it would be ruled foul. An athlete outside the designated area could reach over the line to make a play, however.

In other news, the IGHSAU board expressed its excitement with the new television contract that was approved at last month's directors meeting. Iowa Public Television will broadcast championships, starting with the upcoming basketball tournament in Des Moines.

In addition to IPTV, the IGHSAU has partnered with Colorfx and Rock Communications in Des Moines to market the championships and sell sponsorships. Farm Bureau will again be on board as a title sponsor.

Tom Kinseth, Activities Director at Ankeny Christian Academy, has donated three static signage scorer's tables. Those boards will replace the LED displays owned by Iowa High School Sports Network, which previously held championship broadcast rights.

In conjunction with the new partnership, the IGHSAU is exploring an overhaul to its website and is meeting with Des Moines-based Spindustry Digital on a new look.