National Federation of State High School Associations

NFHS Softball 2014 Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

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National Federation of State High School Associations

NFHS Softball 2014 Rules Changes

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

Taper (1-5-2C)

The taper of the bat shall have a solid surface and shall have a conical shape. Its length and material may vary. The taper is the transition area which connects the narrower handle to the wider barrel portion of the bat.

Bat Taper 1-5-2c LEGAL ILLEGAL LEGAL

Electronic Devices (1-8-6 New)

The use of electronic devices by team personnel to transmit or record information pertaining to his/her player or team’s performance shall be permitted within the team’s dugout/bench area only. Information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during the game.

Electronic Devices 1-8-6, 3-6-11 ILLEGAL LEGAL ILLEGAL

Team Members (2-58 New)

TEAM MEMBERS - Defined Team members are players listed on the team’s roster and lineup as submitted to the umpire at the pregame meeting.

Team Members 2-58

Team members must be submitted to the plate umpire at the pregame meeting.

Team Personnel (2-59 New)

TEAM PERSONNEL - Defined Team personnel consist of all school representatives located in the team dugout, including but not limited to coaches, managers, certified athletic trainers and scorekeepers.

Team Personnel 2-59 LEGAL ILLEGAL

Electronic Devices

(3-6-11 New)

The use of electronic devices for coaching purposes is permitted during a game;

however any information obtained shall not be used to review decisions made by the umpires.

Electronic Devices 1-8-6, 3-6-11 ILLEGAL LEGAL ILLEGAL

National Federation of State High School Associations

NFHS Softball 2014 Major Editorial Changes

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

Knob (1-5-2A)

 Knob. The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened. Devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are permitted.  The knob may be covered with grip tape. A one-piece rubber knob and bat grip combination is illegal.

Choke-up devices are not permitted.

Bat Knob 1-5-2a LEGAL ILLEGAL LEGAL

Violation in Live-ball Area (1-6-3)

A violation, while in live-ball area, shall result in a warning to the coach of the team and the individual. A subsequent violation may result in the individual

and coach

not being permitted on the field.

Bat-Ball Shaggers 1-6-3; 3-6-1

A batting helmet is required for non-adult bat/ball shaggers.

The individual and head coach are restricted to the bench after second violation.

3-2-13 Note

The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport,

heighten

risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.

Player Equipment 3-2-13 Note

Accommodations to participants with disabilities and/or special needs should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.

(7-3-1 Effects 1)

Paragraph rearranged for clarity – However, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up her hand to request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live.

Batting Infractions 7-3-1

If the pitcher releases the ball and the batter has one foot outside of the batter’s box, it is an automatic strike.

(7-3-2)

A pitched ball that is entirely within the batter’s box strikes the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required. However, the batter may not obviously try to get hit by the pitch.

Hit By Pitch 7-3-2

If the pitched ball is within the batter’s box, the batter does not have to avoid being hit.

(7-3-2 Penalty)

 If the batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch which is not entirely in the batter's box or she obviously tried to get hit by the pitch, the ball is dead.  The pitch is a ball or strike depending on its location and the batter remains at bat unless it is strike three or ball four.

Hit By Pitch 7-3-2 Penalty

After the batter pulls the bat back (PlayPic A), she cannot obviously try to get hit by the pitch (PlayPic B).

Leaving the Base Early 8-6-17; 8-6-18 Penalty

 The ball is dead, “no pitch” is declared when applicable and the runner is out.  The Penalty was in the book but was in the wrong place. The placement of the penalty has been corrected.

Leaving Early 8-6-17, 8-6-18 Pen.

The penalty has been moved to Arts. 17, 18 for when a base runner fails to keep in contact with a base in slow pitch and fast pitch.

National Federation of State High School Associations

NFHS Softball 2014 Points of Emphasis

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

Flex/Designated Player Education

 The DP/Flex Rule was instituted to encourage further participation and flexibility of the game. The overall impact of this rule has been positive, however there still remains some confusion/challenges with the understanding of the rule.  Support Information can be found at • Officials – NFHS Central Hub www.arbitersports.com

under Softball Resources and Video tab.

• Coaches – www.nfhs.org

DP/Flex

Resources are available in the NFHS rules book and on NFHS Arbiter Central Hub and NFHS website for an explanation of the option as well as strategies for using it.

Player Safety

 The NFHS Sports Medicine Committee has expressed concern with the number of injuries that are related to Sliding. Injuries to the knees and ankles, along with concussion, occur most often on the bases.  The Softball Committee and Sports Medicine Committee are encouraging coaches to take additional time to teach proper sliding techniques to prevent collisions at each base, but especially home plate. On the defensive side of the ball, proper attention needs to be given to appropriate techniques for tagging the runner and defensive positioning on the base paths and home plate.

Player Safety 10-2-3k

Rule Reference and page number for Appendix B are revised.

Player Safety

Coaches are encouraged to take extra time to teach players proper sliding techniques.

Attention needs to be given to defensive positioning on the base paths.

Equipment Check/Bats

 The NFHS Softball Committee has determined that the head coach is the person most responsible for the safety and well-being of the players on his/her team. Although the committee has recommended that umpires continue to check equipment prior to each game, it is the head coach’s responsibility to ensure that his/her players are legally equipped.

Equipment Check/Bats

 Coaches need to know the condition of each helmet and bat in the dugout; and remove those that do not meet the specifications outlined in the Softball Rules Book.

 The NFHS Softball Committee strongly recommends that state associations look at options available to them for testing bats.

Equipment Check/Bats

 Cracks and other flaws that make bats illegal cannot always be apparent on the umpire checks during pregame.  The NCAA and ASA have offered to loan pressure testing machines to test bats during your state tournaments with the underlying theme of player safety.

Equipment Check

The head coach is responsible for the safety and well-being of the players on his or her team, and

is accountable for

the condition of each helmet and bat in the dugout/bench area.

Electronic Devices

 The role of technology has expanded significantly in recent years and with it, coaches and players have sought a variety of ways to incorporate that technology into the game of Softball.  The NFHS Softball Rules Committee respects and embraces the growth of the game through technology and as an instrument to teach the game.

Electronic Devices

 A new rule (1-8-6) allows for coaches to utilize technology to transmit or record information pertaining to his/her player or team’s performance within the team’s dugout only.  Any information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during the game. .

Electronic Devices

 Note that this technology can be used only in the dugout or bench area.  The electronic devices are not allowed on the field at any time due to safety considerations and game time restraints.

Electronic Devices

 Further, Rule 3-6-11 prohibits the use of any information obtained through the use of electronic devices being used to review decisions made by the game’s umpires.  Rule 3-6-10 allows for coaches to have stopwatches and scorekeeping material/devices in the coaching box.

Electronic Devices

Information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during a game only in the dugout/bench area.

National Federation of State High School Associations

RESOURCES

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NFHS Officials Association Central Hub www.nfhs.arbitersports.com

   

Contains

Sport information Rules information Rules library  Searchable rules book and case book Video content on officiating sport, competition situations and interpretations

Interscholastic Officiating www.nfhsofficials.com

       Introduction to skills and concepts used as an official Ideal for new officials or those in first few years of officiating 30-45 minutes to complete Topics include: basics of becoming and staying an official, science of officiating, art of officiating, how to combine these skills for successful officiating Course is FREE to any NFHS Officials Association member Non-members course is $20 Contact NFHS Officials Department for details (317.972.6900)

Unit Titles 1.Basic Skills 2. Offensive Skills 3. Position Play 4. Team Defense 5. Developing a Practice Plan 6. Coaching Tips

Fundamentals of Coaching Softball www.nfhslearn.com

NFHSLearn.com

Free Courses

A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention

A Guide to Sports Nutrition

Coaching Unified Sports ®

Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know

Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment

Engaging Effectively with Parents

NCAA Eligibility Coaching Education Pole Vault: Successful Skill Development

Sportsmanship

The Role of the Parent in Sports

World Book: Learning Pro (4)

National Federation of State High School Associations

THANK YOU

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™