Transcript Slide 1

National Federation of State
High School Associations
NFHS Softball
2014
Rules Changes
Major Editorial Changes
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
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.
RULE CHANGE
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.
RULE CHANGE
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.
RULE CHANGE
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.
RULE CHANGE
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.
RULE CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
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
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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.
EDITORIAL CHANGE
Player Safety
10-2-3k
Rule Reference and page number for
Appendix B are revised.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
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
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
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)
Fundamentals of Coaching Softball
www.nfhslearn.com
Unit Titles
1.Basic Skills
2. Offensive Skills
3. Position Play
4. Team Defense
5. Developing a Practice Plan
6. Coaching Tips
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)
The Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rule books will be mailed to the AD
1st Practice---Feb. 12
1st Contest---Feb. 26
Qualifiers Due---6AM May 12
State Championships---June 6-7
General Information
• Dead Periods
• Week of the 4th
• Week of the Coaches Clinic
• All forms on-line @ NCHSAA.ORG
• Regional Week:
• No other games
• Best 2 of 3 to be played anytime
between Tuesday and Saturday of that
week
• Eligibility Power Point—still required
viewing
Gfeller-Waller Concussion
Rule
 Must be followed—it’s the law!
• Yearly review and signatures required
• RTP updated; on the website
• EAP must be updated and shared with staff at
your school
• Supposed to be reviewed by a licensed
athletic trainer
• There is a list posted on the website—Health
and Safety—of names of persons who can
review your EAP
Coaches’ Education Requirement
– NFHS “FUNDAMENTALS OF COACHING”
• All non-faculty (non-teaching, certified personnel) and
• All newly hired coaches (new to your LEA, and have not
passed the course) must complete and pass the
certification
– If currently a non-faculty coach, certification course
must be completed prior to first day of practice.
– On-line
• nfhslearn.com
• Cost of course is $35 and is a one-time completion
requirement to be nationally certified.
– MANDATE: August 1, 2015 for all coaches to be
certified
Sportsmanship
• Star Sportsmanship Course – for
ejected or DQ’ed coach/player
–$7 fee
• Fighting Ejection – coach has to take different
course
– “Teaching & Modeling Behavior (at least $20)
• Profanity
Transfer Rule
– If you make a bona fide change of residence,
no transfer waiver required for satisfy
residence eligibility
– All non-traditional member schools will be
treated as its own LEA
– LEA’s must have a policy to govern intersystem transfers; if no policy, then sit for 365
days
– All waiver requests from one LEA to another
will be handled through NCHSAA
Board Action Items
• Clarified Endowment game language
• Changed the title of “Booking Agents” to
“Regional Supervisor”; this is for all sports
• Made a change to Ejection Criteria relative to
players leaving the bench
–$500 fine for player (s) leaving bench
if unauthorized
• i.e. there is no fight (ejected for 2
games)
National Federation of State
High School Associations
THANK YOU
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™