2010 Rules Changes (NFHS Document)

[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.

[Emperor Ump]

Good info thanks Tim C

[njdevs00cup]

Thank you for passing this information along. The rule change regarding assistant coaches is much needed.

[ozzy6900]

Thanks Tim. I forwarded this to our President & Rules Interpreter. Keep the Information coming as you get it.

Oh yeah, when are we going to not have to check the equipment like NCAA?????????

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Oh yeah, when are we going to not have to check the equipment like NCAA?????????

hopefully soon

[jkumpire]

Are they out yet? Are they the same as last year?

[bossman72]

Thanks Tee! Now, if you can just get the NFHS to print the dead ball table on 2 adjacent pages instead of having to turn the page to read the second half of it, we would be ok! haha

[SanDiegoSteve]

Thanks Tee. I can't wait to see the assistant coaches squirm and try to restrain themselves. Should be a riot!

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Thanks Tee. I can't wait to see the assistant coaches squirm and try to restrain themselves. Should be a riot!

I don't see this as an improvement. Coaches and AD's will be expecting benchings instead of the ejections they get now.

Benchings are bullsh!t.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Ump153

I don't see this as an improvement. Coaches and AD's will be expecting benchings instead of the ejections they get now.

Benchings are bullsh!t.

They can expect whatever they want. I've never one single time in all the many HS games I've worked, ever restricted a coach to the bench, even when the option was available. I'm not about to start now. If an assistant comes out on me and doesn't leave immediately when told, he's a done Tom turkey, just like always!

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Ump153

I don't see this as an improvement. Coaches and AD's will be expecting benchings instead of the ejections they get now.

Benchings are bullsh!t.

But sometimes, it is nice to see them have to sit there quietly because of the "adult supervision" rule of the FED! They know that if they screw up again, they are ejected and the game has to end!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

But sometimes, it is nice to see them have to sit there quietly because of the "adult supervision" rule of the FED! They know that if they screw up again, they are ejected and the game has to end!

Well maybe I'll give being "kinder and gentler" a try this coming season!





NOT!!!!

[JJ]

Oh, my....so if an assistant leaves his coaching box to challenge a call, both he AND the head coach get restricted? Here come the problems! Who's going to be in the coaching boxes - kids? Oh, my!
I'm in the camp that says if that assistant violates, he gets dumped - not restricted. That way the head coach can still coach from a coaching box.
JMHO

JJ

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If an assistant comes out on me and doesn't leave immediately when told, he's a done Tom turkey, just like always!

Even if he does leave immediately he would be restricted to the dugout.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well maybe I'll give being "kinder and gentler" a try this coming season!





NOT!!!!

You and I are old school. There is no way we can be kinder and gentler when on the diamond!