Transcript 2014 Baseball Rules Changes and POEs

National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014
Rules Changes &
Points of Emphasis (POE’s)
Presented
Presented by
by
Gary Stratton
Stratton
February 12, 2014
Sources: NFHS Baseball Rules Committee & Matt Moore, Referee Magazine
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
RULE CHANGES
2014 Rules Changes
 Set Position (6-1-3)
 Batter’s Interference (7-3-5c)
RULE CHANGE
Rule Change: Set Position
Rule 6-1-3
 ART. 3... For the set position the pitcher
shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or
pitching hand. His pitching hand shall be down
at his side or behind his back. Before starting
his delivery, he shall stand with his entire
non-pivot foot in front of a line extending
through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate
and with his entire pivot foot in contact with
or directly in front of and parallel to the
pitcher’s plate……
Legal Pitching Position
Rule 6-1-3
RULE CHANGE
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THE SET is one of two legal pitching positions.
The pitcher shall stand with his entire non-pivot
foot in front of a line extending through the front
edge of the pitcher’s plate and with his entire
pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of
and parallel to the pitcher’s plate.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
Legal Pitching Position
Rule 6-1-3
RULE CHANGE
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THE WINDUP is the other legal pitching position.
The pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any
position on or behind a line extending through
the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
Illegal “Hybrid” Pitching Position
Rule 6-1-3
RULE CHANGE
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“THE HYBRID”: A number of pitchers are starting
in this position and coming set. This is NOT a legal
position because it does not meet the requirements
of either the windup or set positions.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
RULE CHANGE
Rationale: Set Position
Rule 6-1-3
 This rule change emphasizes that the so-called
“hybrid” stance is ILLEGAL. It is, at times,
difficult for the offensive team, as well as
umpires, to determine the stance of a pitcher.
The Rules Committee’s goal is to eliminate any
confusion or circumvention of the set position
rule by emphasizing the pivot foot requirement
to be in a legal set position.
Rule Change: Backswing Interference
Rule 7-3-5c
RULE CHANGE
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Above: Most common type
of batter interference.
Right: Backswing
interference.
The batter is responsible for his bat throughout his
swing. If the batter’s swing prevents the catcher from
making a play, he has committed backswing
interference.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
RULE CHANGE
Rule Change: Backswing Interference
Rule 7-3-5c
 SECTION 3 BATTING INFRACTIONS...
A batter shall not:
 ART. 5... Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or
throwing by:
 Leaning over home plate,
 Stepping out of the batter’s box,
 Making any other movement, including backswing
interference, which hinders actions at home plate
or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or
 Failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate a
congested area when there is a throw to home plate
and there is time for the batter to move away.
RULE CHANGE
Rationale: Backswing Interference
Rule 7-3-5c
 Prior wording did not address this specific
type of interference. Now it does!
Rule Change: Backswing Interference
Rule 7-3-5c
RULE CHANGE
MechaniGram®
When the batter commits backswing interference and the
attempt to retire R1 at second is unsuccessful, the batter
is ruled out and R1 must return to first base.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
POINT OF EMPHASIS
2014 Points of Emphasis
 Malicious Contact
 Coach’s Attire
 Umpire’s Authority and Enforcement
POINT OF EMPHASIS
Malicious Contact
 Rules Committee is concerned about collisions
and other malicious contact.
 Most collisions occur at home plate, but can
occur anywhere.
 Malicious contact can be committed either by
offensive or defensive players. Either way, the
umpire shall eject the offender from the game
(3-3-1n PEN).
 Runners should be instructed to slide legally or
attempt to avoid contact with defensive players.
Malicious Contact
POINT OF EMPHASIS
(continued)
 Umpires have flexibility to judge contact as
malicious or incidental. Suggested parameters:
• Was contact the result of intentional excessive
force?
• Did contact occur close to a base, or above the
waist of the receiving player?
• Was there intent to injure?
 Absence of the above conditions does not
guarantee that malicious contact did not exist.
They only provide a starting point for
consideration!
Malicious Contact
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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Offensive players can be guilty of malicious contact.
When malicious contact by an offensive player
occurs, the ball is dead and the player is out and
ejected.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
Malicious Contact
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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An unnecessarily hard tag is an example of defensive
malicious contact. If that occurs, the ball is dead and
the defensive player is ejected.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
Coach’s Attire
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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Despite possible funding cutbacks, coaches should
be dressed in uniforms similar to their players.
This serves as a means to more easily identify
members of the coaching staff.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
POINT OF EMPHASIS
Umpire’s Authority
 Umpire’s authority in a game is final.
 Rules Committee is concerned about prolonged
and exaggerated reactions to umpire’s calls.
Coaches are expected to be role models, handling
calls with class and character, and setting
examples of appropriate behavior so their team
and fans follow.
 Do not tolerate:
•
•
•
•
Disputing umpire’s calls.
Noncompliance regarding umpire’s commands.
Prolonged offensive conferences.
Gamesmanship, and challenging umpire’s authority.
Umpire’s Authority
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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Coaches are permitted to question rules and their
enforcements, but are not allowed to question the
judgment of the umpire. The umpire is the sole
authority for ruling on a game.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
Umpire’s Authority
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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When the plate umpire comes to the mound, the
defensive conference is over. The coach should
respect the umpire’s authority to resume the game
and not linger or prolong his conference
unnecessarily.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2014
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Existing Rules Causing Confusion
 Balks – Ball Dead Immediately (5-1-1k)
 Pitcher Returning (3-1-2)
 Beads in Hair – Not a violation of
jewelry rule; considered adornment
(1-4, 3-3-1d, 1-5-12)
 Blood on Umpire’s Uniform or
Equipment – Treat same as
players/coaches (3-1-6)
Existing Rules Causing Confusion
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
(continued)
 Forced Play Slide Rule (8-4-2b)
 Throwing to Unoccupied Base
(6-2-4b)
 Play Lists on Sweatbands –
Legal equipment if worn on wrist or arm
Questions?