[Tim C]

2010 Baseball Rules Changes Include Bat Standards Adjustment



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elliot Hopkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 6, 2009) - The clarification of
baseball bat specifications was among four rules adjusted by the
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball
Rules Committee at its annual meeting June 7-9 in Indianapolis. The
rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.


A change to Rule 1-3-2 regarding bat specifications was made
in the hope it will clarify bat compliance. The rule, which will be
effective January 1, 2012, specifies that the bat should be a "smooth
cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob."

"The committee was looking to clarify the rule and make the
purchase of bats an easier process," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director
of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. "We
want to make sure that kids and parents know what is permissible."

The change will also require that all non-wood bats meet the
Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard,
which is the standard used by the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA). Formerly, non-wood bats had to meet the Ball Exit
Speed Ratio (BESR) standard.

The new rule also states that non-wood bats must be labeled
with a rectangular certification mark "a minimum of a half-inch on each
side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color." The
new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more
comparable to those of wood bats. It's also expected to minimize risk,
improve play and increase teaching opportunities.

"After working with the NCAA and having access to its
research, we've concluded it's in our best interest to make this
change," Hopkins said. "BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we're
actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more
appropriate for our age and skill level."

Another major rule addition applies to assistant coaches and
their behavior during the game. Rule 3-3-1g6 prohibits any member of the
coaching staff who is not the head coach from leaving "the vicinity of
the dugout or coaching box to dispute a judgment call by an umpire." The
penalty for this infraction is that both the head coach and the
offending coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of
the game. If severe enough, the umpire also has the authority to eject
the offending coach and/or the head coach.

The intention of this change is to cut down on the disruptive
and counterproductive behavior of assistant coaches. It also reinforces
to head coaches that they are responsible for their staff and players.

"The committee found that assistant coaches were taking
license with their roles and becoming disruptive," Hopkins said. "By
doing that, they're sending the wrong message to their players. It's one
thing to ask the official for a clarification, but it's another to
challenge and charge an umpire. We cannot and will not allow that."

A clarification was made to Rule 1-2-4 concerning the
temporary extension of dugouts. The modified rule explains that when the
dugout is to be temporarily extended, it shall be extended toward the
outfield and not toward home plate.

The final adjustment was made to Rule 7-4-1f, concerning the
instances when a batter will be declared out. The change reads that the
batter is out if "any member of the offensive team or coach other than
the runner interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a foul
fly ball." The addition of the phrase "other than the runner" clarifies
the responsibility of the runner and that the runner - not the batter -
will be declared out for the runner's interference.

"Previously, it just wasn't fair to the batter," Hopkins
explained. "If the runner interferes with the defense, it's not the
batter's fault. It was the runner who created the infraction, so the
runner will be called out."

Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport among boys at the
high school level with 478,029 participants during the 2007-08 season,
according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by
the NFHS. It also ranks third in school sponsorship across the nation
with 15,720 participating schools.