2002 NFHS Softball Rules Changes

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2011 NSAA SOFTBALL Umpires Coaches Rules
Interpretation Meeting

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Softball Dates

• Start of Practice August 8 (Mon-Week 6)
• Officials Open Book Test August 12
• First Contest August 18
• Officials Supervised Test Sept. 7 12
• Districts October 6 7
• State Tournament October 12-13-14 (All Classes).

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Softball Reminder

• Season Begins - First Day of Practice.
• Athletes CANNOT participate on other teams
  (including tryouts) until the end of the NSAA
  Championships.
• Athletes can attend Camps/Clinics, but cannot
  physically participate.

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Permissible Contests

• Schedule 17 dates during regular season, 5
  tournament limit (not including districts and
  state)
• Single Games Doubleheaders
• Double-Dual - four schools playing two
  pre-determined contests or two of the other
  schools in one day
• Triangular - three schools playing two
  pre-determined contests in one day.
• Tournament 4 or more teams where winners
  continue to advance or compete until a champion
  is determined (straight bracket or pool play with
  championship criteria).

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NSAA Game Procedures
Regular Season
Suspended Game
Time Limit - Permitted for Varsity Tournament Play and any Sub-Varsity Play
NO Time Limit Varsity Single Game, Doubleheader, Triangular, Double-Dual
Tie-Breaker 8th inning or When Time Limit Expires in Varsity Tournaments
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Game Ending Procedures
Regular Season Run Rules
12-Run Rule after 2 ½ or 3 innings
10-Run Rule after 3 ½ or 4 innings
8-Run Rule after 4 ½ or 5 innings
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Postseason Procedures

Districts State
12-Run Rule after 2 ½ or 3 in 10-Run Rule after 3 ½ or 4 in 8-Run Rule after 4 ½ or 5 in 12-Run Rule after 2 ½ or 3 in 10-Run Rule after 3 ½ or 4 in 8-Run Rule after 4 ½ or 5 in
Tie-Breaker Tie-Breaker
Double First Base (Required) Double First Base (Required)
Suspended Game Suspended Game
No Time Limit No Time Limit
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Reporting Scores

• Schools must call in all scores.
• Omaha World-Herald 1-800-284-6397 or
  402-444-1000.
• Lincoln Journal Star 1-800-742-7315 or
  402-473-7431.
• E-mail to jangele_at_nsaahome.org
• District Seeding Release Sept. 29 All games
  through Tuesday, Sept. 27 count.

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NFHS Softball2011Rules Changes
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Lineup Card Inaccuracies (3-1-3 Penalty)

• New penalty established for changes made to a
  verified lineup card
• First offense Team warning
• Second offense Head coach restricted to
  dugout/bench for remainder of game
• Applies to changes made to name and number of a
  player not defensive position

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Concussion Procedure Revised
(3-3-9 10-2-3k)

• Removed references to unconscious or apparently
  unconscious.
• New procedure requires an athlete exhibiting
  signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a
  concussion to be removed from the contest.

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Concussion Procedure (3-3-9 10-2-3k)
See Appendix A on Page 86 of the 2011 NFHS
Softball Rules Book
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Concussion Recognition and Management (3-3-9
10-2-3k)

• The umpires are not responsible for the
  evaluation or management of the athlete after she
  is removed from play.
• If an appropriate health-care professional
  (Certified Athletic Trainer or Medical
  Professional trained in Brain Trauma) determines
  that the athlete HAS NOT suffered a concussion,
  the athlete may return to play.

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Suggested Concussion Management

• Written authorization is no longer required with
  on-site medical staff.
• If there is no appropriate health-care
  professional available to evaluate the athlete,
  the athlete SHOULD NOT be permitted by the coach
  to return to play.

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Suggested Concussion Management

1. No athlete should return to play (RTP) or
   practice on the same day of a concussion.
2. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion
   should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care
   professional that day.
3. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically
   cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional
   prior to resuming participation in any practice
   or competition.

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Suggested Concussion Management

• After medical clearance, return to play should
  follow a step-by-step protocol with provisions
  for a delayed return based upon the re-occurrance
  of any signs or symptoms.

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www.nfhslearn.com
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Scored/Retired Runner Interference (8-6-18)

• Intent no longer the determining factor in ruling
  interference by a runner who has scored/been
  retired
• Rule now consistent with definition of
  interference
• Rule easier to enforce, enhancing more consistent
  application

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Scored/Retired Runner Interference (8-6-18)

• The new rule states that after being declared out
  or after scoring, a runner interferes with a
  defensive players opportunity to make a play on
  another runner
• The Ball is dead
• The runner closest to home is called out
• Other runners return to the base occupied at the
  time of the interference.

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NFHS Softball2011Major Editorial Changes
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Force Play Reinstatement(2-24-4)

• Clarifies the force-play reinstatement rule
• Art. 4 . . . If a forced runner, after touching
  the next base, except home, retreats for any
  reason towards the base she had first occupied,
  the force play is reinstated and she may again be
  put out if the defense tags the base to which she
  is forced.

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Force Play Reinstatement(2-24-4)

• The home exception was necessary to be
  consistent with Rule 2-49 and Case Book play 2.49
  B
• Once a runner legally scores, she cannot be put
  out BUT, she could be guilty of interference
  (which results in the runner closest to home
  declared out)

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New products are being manufactured that dry
the hands, but leave no residue on the ball or
glove Any material that DOES leave a residue on
the ball is prohibited i.e. rock resin
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Ball-Rotation(6-5 New)

• The pitcher has a choice of balls at the start of
  each half inning unless both balls do not get put
  into play.
• In the bottom of the first, the pitcher must
  throw the unused ball.
• Thereafter, the ball in play should be returned
  to the 16-foot circle after every half inning.

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Ball-Rotation(6-5 New)

• The pitcher may request the other ball before
  throwing a warm-up pitch by giving the ball in
  her possession to the plate umpire, the pitcher
  has now made a choice and must pitch that ball
  until such time as the ball goes out of play or
  becomes blocked.

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NFHS Softball2011Points of Emphasis
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Sportsmanship

• Any form of behavior intended or designed to
  embarrass, ridicule or demean others is
  unacceptable
• Public Address (PA) systems have been utilized to
  intimidate/taunt visiting teams by playing
  negative sound effects or playing motivational
  music only for the home team

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Team and Player Equipment

• NFHS rules require umpires to check most
  equipment (10-2-3a) prior to the contest. 
• The following are of specific concern/interest
• Bats
• Helmets

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Bats

• Broken, altered or bats that deface the ball are
  also illegal
• A knick or paint chip in the bat from a player
  knocking their metal cleats against the bat to
  loosen debris should not render a bat illegal

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Bats

• Materials inside the bat or treatments/devices
  used to alter the bat specifications and/or
  enhance performance (i.e. bat warmers) are
  prohibited.

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• Foul lines to the pole
• Catchers Box
• 3-FT Running Lane
• Coaches Boxes

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Game Management

• There are several game-management areas that will
  assist in a smooth-running contest.
• The following are of particular concern
• Lineup Cards
• Field Areas
• Pace of Game

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Lineup Cards

• Lineup cards must be verified by the head coach
  as correct with name and uniform number and all
  substitutes listed at the pregame conference
• New rule provides a penalty for a coach who fails
  to submit an accurate lineup card
• Umpires can assist with managing this situation
  by reminding coaches of the new rule and giving
  them ample opportunity to verify the lineup card
  before final submission

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Field Areas

• Designated warm-up areas should be located in an
  area adjacent to the field and be in view of the
  umpires
• During the contest, players must warm up within
  the confines of the field or in the adjacent warm
  up area
• Coaches must remain in their designated
  dugout/bench.

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Have a Great Season! Questions or comments
should be directed to Jim Angele. E-mail him at
jangele_at_nsaahome.org