Transcript Slide 1

National Federation of State
High School Associations
2008 NFHS
Baseball Rules Changes
B. Elliot Hopkins, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Rule 1-1-2
 The captain and head coach represent the
team in communications with the umpires.
The captain’s and head coach's duties can
include: 1) providing the umpire-in-chief with
his team's lineup card…
 Rationale: The head coach is now required
to be at the pregame meeting. It is the
responsibility of the head coach to be at the
pregame meeting to assure that his team is in
compliance and will adhere to good sporting
behavior.
Rule 1-1-2
 The captain’s and head coach’s duties shall
include: 1) providing the umpire-in-chief with
his team's lineup card which shall include the
name, shirt number, position, and batting
order of each starting player. The name and
shirt number of each eligible substitute
should also be listed; and 2) informing all
players as to ...
Rule 1-1-2 Rationale
 Rationale: It is reasonable and necessary to
mandate how the lineup card is properly filled
out. There is no violation or penalty if the
eligible substitute's name is not listed on the
lineup card. However, to have a rule using
the verbiage "shall" and not have rule support
is not consistent with the rules book and
unenforceable.
Rule 1-3-6
 The glove/mitt worn by the pitcher that
includes the colors white and/or gray shall
be removed from the game upon
discovery by either team and/or umpire.
 Rationale: Instead of penalizing with a multibase award. Just remove the glove and
replace or rectify the situation.
Rule 2-22-3 (Obstruction def.)
 Art. 3 ...The fielder without possession of
the ball denies access to the base the
runner is attempting to achieve.
 Rationale: This rule provides positive
benefits to both offensive and defensive
teams by minimizing risk.
Rule 2-22-3 Considerations
 There are 3 situations to consider:
• (A) Fielder in the base path with the ball in
possession,
• (B) Fielder in the base path without the ball, but
the ball is in motion and a play is probable,
• (C) Fielder in the base path without the ball, and
the ball is in motion but a play on the runner is not
probable.
Rule 2-22-3 Considerations
(cont.)
 In the past, situations A & B allowed the fielder to
block the base legally; situation C was obstruction if
the fielder hindered the runner or changed the pattern
of play.
 With this rule change:
• A – Fielder can legally block the base
• B – Fielder can be in the base path, but must
provide the runner some access to the base
• C – Obstruction if the fielder hinders the runner or
changes the pattern of play.
Rule 2-22-3 Considerations
(cont.)
 The only change is that now a fielder without
the ball, but with the ball in motion and a play
on the runner is probable cannot block the
base; he must allow the runner some access
to the base.
 Access is umpire judgment. Must have some
portion of the base/plate that the runner could
reach.
 Committee considered “ball in glove”
standard, but felt it was problematic, while it
solved one problem, it created others.
Rule 3-2-1
 One player or coach may occupy each
coach’s box while his team is at bat…
 Rationale: The old rule was rescinded. This
rule is difficult to enforce due to the fact that
the umpire does not normally focus on the
coach in the box. This was the 2006 rule
reinstituted.
Rule 3-2-4
 Art.4…The head coach must attend the
pregame conference, if available.
PENALTY: The head coach will be
restricted to the dugout for the remainder
of the game, except to attend to a sick or
injured player, if he refuses to attend the
pregame conference.
 Rationale: This will provide umpires rule
book support for occurrences that have
previously happened in the field.
Rule 6-2-1 Penalty
 For infraction (e), a ball shall be awarded
each time a pitcher violates this rule and
subsequently engages the pitching plate.
 Rationale: Editorial
Rule 6-2-1 Penalty
Clarification
 To clarify the confusion from last year’s
change:
• Pitcher who has engaged the pitcher’s plate
and goes to his mouth has committed a balk.
• It is legal for a pitcher to go to his mouth
(anywhere off the pitcher’s plate) and distinctly
wipe it off prior to legally engage the pitcher’s
plate.
Rule 6-2-1 Penalty
Clarification (cont.)
• Pitcher who goes to his mouth and then
touches the ball without distinctly wiping it off
may request a new ball to be legal, provided
he has not yet engaged the pitcher’s plate.
(Pitcher’s Remorse)
• Pitcher who goes to his mouth, touches the
ball without wiping it off and then engages the
pitcher’s plate will have a ball added to the
count (with runners on base or bases empty).
Rule 6-2-4c
 Removing article “e” from the rule reference,
6-2-1a-e to 6-2-1 a-d.
 Rationale: Editorial
Rule 8-3-2
 When a runner is obstructed (2-22) while
advancing or returning to a base the
umpire shall award…
 Rationale: Editorial
Rule 10-1-9
 …Umpires shall wear heather gray slacks,
and navy pullover shirt or state
association-adopted shirt.
 Rationale: Clarification
Points of Emphasis
Batters hit by pitch
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Prohibited by rule from moving into the pitch
Sticking out elbows and knees
Rule requires batter to attempt to avoid the
pitch
Obstruction
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Fielders, particularly catchers and first
basemen, are not allowed to deny access to
the base without possession of the ball.
Plays where the ball, fielder and runner all
converge at the same point – the “train
wreck” – are a part of the game. If the
fielder’s action while not in possession of
the ball denies the runner access to the
base, obstruction should be called.
Obstruction (cont.)
 However, if both players are doing what is
expected – the fielder is going for the ball at
the same moment the runner is going for the
base – it is possible that no rule has been
violated.
 Umpires must be aware that collisions might
include malicious contact (by the offense or
defense) and those penalties supersede the
penalties for obstruction.
Coaches Professionalism
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Emphasis on good sporting behavior
Proper interaction with officials
Attending pregame conference
Model ethical and appropriate behavior
Controlling their dugout
Team Personnel location
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Coaches on buckets
Illegally extending dugouts (toward home
plate)
Players leaving dugout during live ball
Pitching Requirements
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The starting position of the non-pivot foot
determines whether the pitcher is going to
pitch from the windup or set position.
Pitchers in the windup position are required
to have their non-pivot foot in any position
on or behind a line extending through the
front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
Pitching Requirements (cont.)
 If a pitcher’s non-pivot foot is in front of that
line and he attempts to pitch from the windup,
he has made an illegal pitch or committed a
balk.
 Umpires must be aware of the position of the
non-pivot foot.
 A complete and discernable stop includes not
lifting the non-pivot foot before the glove has
come to a stop.
NON-ADULT BAT/BALL
SHAGGERS
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Helmets meet NOCSAE standards
Dual earflaps
Proper fit
Violation would warrant a warning to the head
coach.
 Subsequent violation may result in individual
not being allowed on the field.
Point of Emphasis for 2007-08
Proper Procedures for
Handling Apparent Concussions
(Information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Action Plan
If you suspect that a player has a concussion, you should take the
following steps:
1. Remove athlete from play.
2. Ensure athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health care professional.
Do not try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself.
3. Inform athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible
concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.
4. Allow the athlete to return to play only with permission from an
appropriate health care professional.
Point of Emphasis for 2007-08
Proper Procedures for
Handling Apparent Concussions
Signs and Symptoms
These signs and symptoms may indicate that a concussion has occurred.
Signs Observed by Coaching Staff
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Appears dazed or stunned
Is confused about assignment
Forgets plays
Is unsure of game, score or opponent
Moves clumsily
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Answers questions slowly
Loses consciousness
Shows behavior or personality changes
Can’t recall events prior to hit
Can’t recall events after hit
Point of Emphasis for 2007-08
Proper Procedures for
Handling Apparent Concussions
Signs and Symptoms
These signs and symptoms may indicate that a concussion has occurred.
Symptoms Reported by Athlete
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Headache
Nausea
Balance problems or dizziness
Double vision or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
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Feeling sluggish
Feeling foggy or groggy
Concentration or memory problems
Confusion
Game Management
 All lines should be placed on the playing field
to designate fair-ball territory and other proper
boundaries.
 Special attention should be given to the
maintenance and height of the pitcher’s
mound.
Good Sporting Behavior
 Umpires and coaches need to work together
for the benefit of the students they officiate
and teach.
 Game situations provide coaches and officials
excellent “teachable moments” to reinforce
proper behavior and perspective.
 The positive values that are learned will serve
the students long after their high school
careers have ended.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Thank you and have a great
season!
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™