|
This What I Received
2005 Playing Rule Changes
(Effective January 1, 2005)
Rule #1 The Definitions
Rule #1 Infield Fly A fair fly ball . . . which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort . . .
Comment: Wording of previous definition was vague concerning the pitcher and catcher.
Rule #3 Equipment
Rule #3 Section 1, F SURFACE. The official bat shall be smooth with a maximum surface roughness of 250 micro-inches. It shall be free of burr and visible cracks and shall not have exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges or any form of exterior fastener that would present a hazard.
Comment: Provides a process of measuring the surface roughness of a bat submitted for approval under the ASA 2004 Performance Standard.
Rule #3, Section 1, G BARREL END. If not constructed of wood and not made of one-piece construction with the barrel end closed, the barrel end shall have a rubber or vinyl plastic or other approved material insert or end cap at the large end of the bat. The insert or end cap shall be firmly secured and permanently affixed so that it cannot be removed by anyone other than the manufacturer without damaging or destroying the end cap.
Comment: Current rule applied only to metal bats. This rule change applies to the rule to all non-wood bats, including composite bats.
Rule #3, Section 1, K NEW CONSTRUCTION. The official bat shall be one-piece construction or a multi-piece permanently assembled bat. NOT APPROVED: two-piece bats, multiple piece bats, bats not sold as a single product are not approved, and bats where at least one portion of the bat is intended to be removable by a player from another portion of the bat.
Comment: Two-piece bats are being developed by manufacturers so that there is increased access to the inside of the bat where bat doctors can alter the bat to make it exceed the ASA 2004 Bat Performance Standard.
Rule #3, Section 2, B WARM-UP BAT. The warm-up bat shall comply with the safety grip and safety knob requirements of the official bat (See Rule 3, Sec 1 H & I).
Comment: Safety grip and safety knob requirements should be the same for all bats.
Rule #3, Section 5, E HELMETS.
All Junior Olympic Fast Pitch batting helmets shall be equipped with a securely attached NOCSAE approved face mask guard.
Comment: To insure the new face mask/guard is permanently attached.
Rule 3, Section 5, D FACE MASKS/FACE GUARDS. Any defensive player or offensive player can wear an approved plastic face mask/guard. Face masks/guards that are cracked or deformed, or if padding is deteriorated or is missing, are prohibited from use. Fast pitch catchers cannot wear the plastic face mask/guard. Approved are the Game Face and Sports-Guard face masks. EFFECTIVE 2005. All Junior Olympic FAST PITCH batting helmets shall be equipped with a NOCSAE approved face mask/guard.
Rule #5 The Game
Rule #5, Section 8 A 1 HOME RUN RULE . Change from 15 home runs to 12.
Comment: In Mens Major SP Championships, no team ever reached the 12 home run limit. With the adjusting of the bats and balls, is needed to be competitive.
Rule #5, Section 10 TIME LIMIT RULE. When the time limit is in effect, the time limit begins with the first pitch.
Comment: Now that time limits have been authorized for all region/area play (ASA Code 510 O), there should be a definitive start time.
Rule #5, Section 11 C NEW MENS SENIOR SLOW PITCH ONLY. Use the international tie breaker rule after completion of seven (7) innings.
Comment: To conform with other senior organizations.
Rule #6 Pitching Regulations (16 Slow Pitch)
Rule #6, Section 7 Delete No pick off can be made.
Comment: 16 Slow Pitch teams at the National Championship requested this change.
Rule #8 Batter Runner and Runner
Rule #8, Section 3 I Add to exception: Womens Open and Coed Major.
Comment: To allow the Womens Open and Coed Major division to not run the bases on home runs.
Rule #8, Section 4 G Mens and Womens Open Slow Pitch Only. Deletes #1 and #2 and replace with
. The ball remains alive until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield and all immediate play has been completed. Runners not advancing return to the last base legally touched.
Comment: Eliminate some confusion of when the runners can leave and return to the base. Also, eliminates any judgment as to what the vicinity of the pitching plate is. Should be treated the same as when a base hit is returned to the pitcher in the infield. If no runners are attempting to advance the umpire can call time to stop play. Adding stealing to the upper division of Womens Slow Pitch will increase participation. It will be a perfect transition between fast pitch and slow pitch.
Rule #8, Section 5 B 1 1. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstructed unless properly appealed for:
NEW a) when an obstructed runner, after the obstruction, safely obtains the base they would have been awarded, in the umpires judgment, had there been no obstruction and there is a subsequent play on a different runner, the obstructed runner is no longer protected between the bases where they were obstructed and may be put out,
b. when properly appealed for missing a base,
c. when properly appealed for leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched
d. when committing an act of interference, or
e. when passing another runner.
Comment: This change maintains an offense/defense balance that eliminates confusion on an obstruction play between bases.
Rule #8, Section 5 C NEW Fast Pitch, Slow Pitch with Stealing (Mens and Womens Open Slow Pitch.) When a pitched ball that remains alive lodges or goes under or over or through the backstop.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base only. The batter is awarded first base only on the fourth ball.
Comment: Makes all games consistent and better understanding by players and umpires.
|