[AtlUmpSteve]

Here's what I have heard on the topic.

The older rule that said a FP catcher could not wear a plastic face guard was editorially changed; the change doesn't (intend to) suggest that the plastic face guard might replace the mandated equipment, it is intended to now allow the faceguard to worn in addition to the required equipment. The former wording made that (both) illegal; while I don't expect to see a catcher wearing a GameFace or equivalent in addition to the required equipment, that change now makes it possible.

The Safety Guide wording is, quite simply, wrong; if you look at the wording for JO slowpitch catchers in the following paragraph, it is word-for-word, other than the last sentence regarding a throat protector. They (the editors) let the lesser slowpitch requirements be printed for both fastpitch and slowpitch. Thankfully, I don't believe anyone is foolish enough to believe that this would supercede the rule.

In re: a 2009 .PDF file, we were given a CD at the UIC Clinic with the 2009 Rulebook, Casebook, Umpire Manual and Clinic Guide. Since they exist, it is likely (and reasonably) only a matter of time before they are also commercially available.