2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

RULES CHANGES

MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

RULES CHANGES

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

• Clearly defines responsibility for contact when fielder does not initially control a batted ball

• Creates balance between offense and defense

• Puts contact into category of obstruction or interference, not “just a CRASH”

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

• Fielder must have opportunity to make an initial play

• After an initial play attempt on a fair ground ball, fielder no longer protected

• After attempting an initial play – fielder not permitted to obstruct advancement of runner

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

Initial Play – • Reasonable chance to catch or gain control

of a ground ball that no other fielder (except the pitcher) has touched, OR

• Reasonable chance to catch the ball in flight after it touches another fielder, OR

• Fails to gain control of the batted ground ball and is within a step and a reach (in any direction) of the spot of the initial play

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

• Other definitions revised:– Obstruction (2-36)

– Making a play (2-47-2)

• Obstruction rule modified (8-4-3b)

• Interference rule modified (8-6-10a)

INTENTIONALLY REMOVING LINES PENALTY EXPANDED

(3-6-17 PENALTY)• Penalty expanded to include restricting

any subsequent offender, not just head coach

• Second and all subsequent offenses:– Strike/ball on batter– Offender and head coach restricted to

dugout

• Change makes penalty consistent with others of a similar nature

DOUBLE FIRST BASE RULES EXPANDED (8-10)

• More states using double first base units

• Base running section expanded for clarity and understanding:– When the BR must use– Penalties for noncompliance– When the runner/fielder has choice

between the two bases

DOUBLE FIRST BASE RULES EXPANDED

(1-2-1 NOTE)

• Specifications for the double first base unit also revised:– A one- or two-piece unit permitted

– Portion in foul territory required to be a color other than white

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

EDITORIAL CHANGES

CATCH DEFINITION CLARIFIED (2-9-5f)

• Change was made to clarify:–Trap = Ball touching ground, fielder

NOT in control–Catch = Ball touching ground, fielder

IN control

“CONFINES OF THE FIELD” DEFINED (2-15)

• Used to determine when umpire jurisdiction begins (10-1-2) – Upon arrival within “confines of the

field”

• Term was not previously defined

• Important in determining responsibilities of umpiring crew

“CONFINES OF THE FIELD” DEFINED (2-15)

• “Confines of the field” includes:– Field of play

– Designated dugout/bench areas

– Any enclosed or clearly marked warm-up areas adjacent to the field and in view of the umpire(s)

MALICIOUS CONTACT PENALTY CLARIFIED (3-6-18)

• Malicious contact typically only thought of as committed by a runner – Immediate dead ball, offender is out

and ejected

MALICIOUS CONTACT PENALTY CLARIFIED (3-6-18)

• Penalty now includes enforcement when infraction is by a fielder– Offender ejected at end of playing

action

BATTING INFRACTIONS/BATTER IS OUT (7-3; 7-4)

• Sections reorganized

• Articles relating to batter being “out” moved from section on Batting Infractions to Batter is Out

RUNNING LANE CLARIFIED(8-2-5)

• Language added for clarification

• Consistent with other rules regarding being “in” or “out” of a space

• Runner is outside running lane when:– Either foot is completely outside the

lane and in contact with the ground

INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE

(8-6-10d)

• Clarifies that any intentional interference will result in an out

• Previous rule only addressed interfering with a thrown ball

• New language includes intentionally interfering with a fielder in any way

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

BATTER DELAYS

• Pace of a game enhanced when 20-second rule enforced (7-3-1)

• Batter must be ready to step into batter’s box and take turn at bat

• Pitcher disconcerted with excessive waiting or prolonged signaling from coach

BATTER DELAYS

• Batter has 20 seconds to take her place in batter’s box

• Coaches must be concise in signaling from coaching box

• Penalty for noncompliance is strike being called on batter

BATTER DELAYS

Once in the batter’s box:

• Batter may request “time”, but only granted for valid reason

• Putting hand up toward umpire does not guarantee time will be granted

• Requesting time to perform rituals should not be permitted

BATTER DELAYS

• Once in batter’s box, pitcher entitled to deliver pitch

• If batter’s hand is up BUT has not been granted time – umpire directs pitcher to “play ball”

• Stepping in and out of box when pitcher is ready – subject to strike-call penalty (3-6-9)

OBSTRUCTION

• Obstruction, especially at first base still concerns committee

• Umpires ignoring and/or not properly signaling

• Belief that signal is not necessary if base runner already obtained base she would have reached had there been no obstruction

OBSTRUCTION

• Not a wasted signal

• Communicates to defense that they have committed an infraction

• Important to communicate information so defense doesn’t commit same infraction – when penalty could be more costly

• Make the call!

DEFLECTED/MISPLAYED BATTED BALL

• Rules change permits defensive players opportunity to complete an initial play – even if not in immediate control of batted ball

• By permitting fielder a “step and reach” – protected from obstruction call

DEFLECTED/MISPLAYED BATTED BALL

• Advancing runner contacts defender during initial play, “step and reach” area = interference

• Deflected/misplayed ground ball beyond “step and reach” of fielder, no longer protected = obstruction possible

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

• Head coaches required to attend pregame meeting with umpires

• Must verify players legally equipped and players/equipment in compliance with NFHS rules

• Umpires must still conduct pregame inspection of team’s equipment

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

• Inspection includes:– bats, batting helmets and catcher’s gear

• Teams should have all equipment displayed and available for inspection 15 minutes prior to start of game

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

• If more than one game played in a day and teams/equipment leave dugout – Umpires check equipment again prior to

start of next game

• Ensures no equipment has been damaged and no unauthorized or illegal equipment has entered game

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

QUESTIONS?