[Skahtboi]

NFHS Softball Rules Changes 2010

1-1-2b
Changed the female fast-pitch pitching distance to 43 feet effective with the 2010-11 academic year. NOTE: Individual state associations are permitted to adopt the 43-feet distance in 2009-10, if desired.

1-5
Identified and specified guidelines for each part of the bat, including: knob, handle/grip, taper, barrel and end cap. In addition, the rule clarifies that the taper must be a solid surface.

3-2-12
Added an exception to permit hard, unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, to be worn to control a player’s hair.

9-6-6
Changed the required number of innings pitched to half of the total number of innings played in the game for a starting pitcher to be credited with a win.





2010 MAJOR EDITORIAL Changes


1-3-3
An eighth of an inch was added to the maximum circumference of both 11- and 12-inch softballs, to 11¼ and 12¼, respectively.

2-20-1f
Clarified that a batted ball is fair if it first falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second, or third base.

3-1-3
Clarified that a team’s lineup card shall include the first initial and last name of each player.

8-2-9

Note
Added a note to clarify that the batter-runner is called out when she hits an infield fly even when the infield fly is not initially called, if brought to the umpire’s attention before the next pitch.




2010 POINTS OF EMPHASIS



1. Illegal Pitch Enforcement

2. Three-Foot Running Lane

3. Non-Traditional Game Equipment

4. DP/FLEX Rule



2010 and 2011 MAJOR MANUAL REVISIONS



1. Navy blue slacks were added as a uniform option.

2. Positioning for a field umpire was changed back to being no closer than 18 feet from the base for force plays.

3. Between innings, the plate umpire will now take a position facing the field at the first baseline extended when the team in the first-base dugout is coming to bat and the third baseline extended when the team in the third base dugout is coming to bat.