[Dakota]

Mike,

I don't know if you know any of the rationale behind any of these, but for what it's worth, , here are my comments, editorials, and pointless rantings...

(BTW, I am speaking JO FP only)

* (JO)As stated, several proposals making face masks mandatory.

More and more into the nanny universe. Don't parents have any responsibility anymore?

* (FP)Pitcher foot required to be partial on the pitcher plate.
* (FP)Eliminate requirement that pitcher must stride within the width of the pitcher's plate.

Both of these would make calling legal / illegal pitches easier, especially the first one. Don't think the first one will have any practical effect on the game, though. The second, though, will allow pitches (at the elite levels) with more movement, won't it? It that is true, why do this? Games getting too high scoring?

*(ALL)Playing shorthanded, the vacant spot in the BO will be an out each time it that spot is due to appear at the plate. HOWEVER, if a team declares BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS that they will be playing shorthanded, no out shall be assessed for the missing player. Now, here is the caveat: Teams which make this declaration shall not be allowed to add any players to the line-up.

In all leagues where this matters (i.e. rec, fall, etc.) this is already dealth with by local rule. This is an unnecessary change for Championship Play - if the team can't field a complete roster for championship play, they should take the out, after all, this could just be a ploy to get around to your best hitters more often.

*(JO)The DEFO replacing the DP is a substitute

How will this work? If the DEFO bats, she has "entered" the game? She was always in the game! If the DP bats again, has the DEFO now "left" the game? Weird. Why don't they just use the DH rule if they don't like the flexibility of the DP/DEFO? And just when NFHS is beginning to experiment with the DP/DEFO. Hopefully, this will die.

*(ALL)A coach may not leave the coach's box to give verbal communications or signals to the batter. After a warning, an offensive conference will be charged.

A silly rule from the JO perspective. Maybe this is a problem in adult divisions.

*(ALL)When the umpire judges that an injury is serious enough to demand immediate attention, they may rule "time" immediately. However, the umpire will then award any active runners bases they would have reached had the ball not been ruled dead.

Sounds well-intentioned, but I don't appreciate having to judge the seriousness of an injury. Suppose I misjudge a serious injury as minor? I ain't no EMT.

*(JO)Game officially starts at the time of the first pitch to the first batter.

Well, to their credit, somebody recognizes the need to define both the start and the stop if you are going to time anything, but starting with the first pitch? This would work if their was an official timekeeper, but if I'm behind the plate, I have more to do when the pitcher starts her motion that fiddle with a stopwatch. Good idea, but bad choice - how about start of warmups?

*(FP)If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during a pitch, it remains live and a ball is called IF THE BATTER DOES NOT SWING at the pitch.

Hmmmm.... What led to this?

*(ALL)Follwing ISF's lead, the term "about to receive" is to be eliminated from the rule permitted a defensive player position in a runner's basepath. If the defender does not have possession of the ball, and impedes the runner, obstruction is to be called.

Good.

Thanks for posting this, Mike.