It’s almost become high school free agency, if you will.

Athletes transferring from one high school to another in Pennsylvania — from other states, in some cases — has become so out of control and rulings so inconsistent that the Pa. State Athletic Directors Association has stepped up to the plate with a new rule proposal.

Because the term “athletic intent” is somewhat vague, the PSADA is asking the PIAA to clear up the fog.

The new proposal states that any student transferring from one school to another after ninth grade be athletically ineligible for one year.

Under the present set-up, a student-athlete can transfer to another school and participate in athletics immediately if both school principals sign off on it, or if it is determined the transfer is not for athletic intent.

Such a scenario has led to inconsistent rulings by the WPIAL and PIAA, allowing some kids to play while denying that opportunity to others.

This PSADA proposal — if it is adopted by the PIAA — would make transfer rulings quite clear and without much room for argument.

All transfers must wait a year to play — with five notable exceptions.

If the student’s parents make a “bonafide” move into another district, buying property and moving there as opposed to renting an apartment, the student may play sports for the school in that district.

If there is a legal change in custody requiring the student to relocate, he may play. If his school closes — thus forcing a switch to a new district — or a hardship case involving bullying, as an example, forces a move, the student may transfer and play right away.

The fifth exception is if the student decides to transfer from a private school to the public school in his residential area, he or she may play right away.

Current Seneca Valley junior David Ritchie did the latter this school year — transferring from Eden Christian — and was ruled ineligible to play basketball for the Raiders this past season. He can, of course, play next year.

Had this PSADA proposal been the actual PIAA transfer rule this school year, Ritchie would have been permitted to play for Seneca Valley. He lives in the district.

Under the new proposal, a student opting to transfer from his residential public school to a private school would be forced to sit out a year.

What the PSADA is trying to accomplish here is clear. Unless there are extenuating circumstances beyond the athlete’s control, stay put.

The private schools will still get their student-athletes, but as true freshmen. No problem there. Parents have the right to send their kids to a private school if they so choose.

What needs to stop is kids leaving one school for another for no apparent reason.

This proposed rule could take away a lot of that. Kudos to the athletic directors for recognizing a problem and trying to fix it.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.