NF 2012 Rules Changes

[Tim C]

Actually on the ABUA website I asked:

"If you could change ONE NFHS Rule what would it be?"

The big winner was "no more checking hats and bats!"

I made the post as a little hint to what was coming down the line.

T

[MikeStrybel]

The new rule change states,

"Prior to the start of each game, each head coach must now verify to the umpire in-chief that all participants are legally equipped and equipment is in accordance with NFHS rules."

I could have sworn that we already ask this of them, at least around here, we do.
Further -

"In addition, umpires no longer will be required to perform pregame equipment checks, as that responsibility will fall to coaches beginning next year."

However -

"Coaches can still ask umpires at the pregame conference to confirm that equipment is compliant."

IOW - "I don't know Blue, go check them and see for yourself. I told them at the beginning of the season but don't do equipment checks each game."

Other rules changes approved by the committee include:

Rule 6-2-2c Note: The starting pitcher may warm up by using no more than eight throws, completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). This rule applies to relief pitchers as well. At the beginning of each subsequent inning, the pitcher may warm up with no more than five throws, completed in one minute.

It looks like they are moving towards the game clock rule that is used by the NCAA. The one minute rule was always encouraged but making it a point of emphasis for 2012 suggests that they want a ball called as penalty for non-compliance, no allowances made. Hmmm?

[Rich]

I predict some states will continue to require equipment checks.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I predict some states will continue to require equipment checks.

Given the litigous world we live in, that seems likely, Rich. Consider the number of times I have had to tell coaches, "This helmet is broken, it's out.", only to hear, "Yeah, I don't know why he keeps bringing it out." and it is a no brainer. While many coaches are diligent and apologetic for equipment problems, some just see it as a nuisance. With the new bat and helmet rules for next year, it should be easier to do but we'll see.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Given the litigous world we live in, that seems likely, Rich. Consider the number of times I have had to tell coaches, "This helmet is broken, it's out.", only to hear, "Yeah, I don't know why he keeps bringing it out." and it is a no brainer. While many coaches are diligent and apologetic for equipment problems, some just see it as a nuisance. With the new bat and helmet rules for next year, it should be easier to do but we'll see.

I agree with Rich that some states will require this anyway. But like in football that is a much more violent sport and a sport that has much more required equipment and we do not go to every helmet and check those on a football team personally. So it might be a litigious society, but there are other areas where the officials never check this equipment other than a spot check and I cannot think of a single time someone got in big legal trouble if something went wrong. This puts the responsibly squarely on the coaches since they agree to what is to be used anyway. But then again the penalty for every kid that uses equipment that is illegal can go towards a coach being ejected. So the penalty is much harsher where in baseball we only can give an out or not use the equipment based on when it is discovered.

Peace

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I agree with Rich that some states will require this anyway. But like in football that is a much more violent sport and a sport that has much more required equipment and we do not go to every helmet and check those on a football team personally. So it might be a litigious society, but there are other areas where the officials never check this equipment other than a spot check and I cannot think of a single time someone got in big legal trouble if something went wrong. This puts the responsibly squarely on the coaches since they agree to what is to be used anyway. But then again the penalty for every kid that uses equipment that is illegal can go towards a coach being ejected. So the penalty is much harsher where in baseball we only can give an out or not use the equipment based on when it is discovered.

Peace

Were you ever required to inspect player equipment before football games? Since that answer is 'no', you are again attempting to compare things that aren't equal.

In high school baseball, for a number of years now, the onus for player safety has been firmly on the shoulders of the umpire(s). The 2012 rule change still provides for the umpires to inspect gear if the coach asks. Umpires are no longer required to do a pre-game check, that is all the rule states. We must ask for confirmation of the conditions but no penalty is mentioned.

As I and others have mentioned, the questions we ask of coaches at the plate meeting remain the same. This year I had players walk into the box wearing a broken helmet (one that I had removed pre-game), using an illegal bat (-10!) and wearing jewelry (too many times) AFTER THE COACH HAD STATED THAT ALL PLAYERS ARE PROPERLY EQUIPPED. The onus is still upon us. Coaches just want to get the game going and we'll agree with almost everything we ask of them. This may have been conceived with good intentions but unless some teeth are added it is a waste of ink.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Were you ever required to inspect player equipment before football games? Since that answer is 'no', you are again attempting to compare things that aren't equal.

We are to review the equipment before the game and ask the coach the same things (in all NF sports BTW). So no it is not a complete unequal thing when the NF tends to review rules changes with other committees. For example the concussion language is the same language used in other sports. The old baseball rule was just silly to have when in other sports where the equipment is much more dangerous to the players we only ask the coach "Are your players properly and legally equip?" And if we discovered an illegal item we removed it in accordance to those specific sport's rules. A helmet in baseball rarely comes into play in a baseball game compared to football where every play might have some head contact.

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

In high school baseball, for a number of years now, the onus for player safety has been firmly on the shoulders of the umpire(s). The 2012 rule change still provides for the umpires to inspect gear if the coach asks. Umpires are no longer required to do a pre-game check, that is all the rule states. We must ask for confirmation of the conditions but no penalty is mentioned.

I disagree when you said it was really on us. All we did was check before the game. During the game coaches had more knowledge what their players used or did not use more than us. And considering I have never had a single opposing coach ask to check the legality of the bat or helmet, this was a silly practices. We would just check before the game and unless something changed we would not know necessarily that they were using illegal equipment like a cracked helmet unless we spot checked it and saw the crack ourselves.

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

As I and others have mentioned, the questions we ask of coaches at the plate meeting remain the same. This year I had players walk into the box wearing a broken helmet (one that I had removed pre-game), using an illegal bat (-10!) and wearing jewelry (too many times) AFTER THE COACH HAD STATED THAT ALL PLAYERS ARE PROPERLY EQUIPPED. The onus is still upon us. Coaches just want to get the game going and we'll agree with almost everything we ask of them. This may have been conceived with good intentions but unless some teeth are added it is a waste of ink.

And the reason I mentioned football is the fact that is the same exact procedure that is used in that sport in the pre-game meeting that is also required with the coaches before the game. The difference is that we do not bring the coaches together to ask in the same meeting, but we still ask. And we do the same thing in basketball and I cannot think of a single other sport were the NF creates the rules for a particular sport (or in our state for that matter) that does not have the officials penalize or address illegal equipment after that meeting. This new baseball rule is more in line with other sports as if you work other sports you will realize they like to use something in one sport that works and require it in other sports. Mary Struckoff said as much when they consider new rules and she is a former IHSA Administrator and she is the current Rules Editor for Basketball as well as the NCAA Supervisor of Officials for NCAA Women's Basketball. That is why all this mess with the Appropriate Medical Professional was used in every single sport and the change in what how we remove players for a possible concussion. That is not just a baseball rule; it is a football, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball rule. And soon to be an Illinois state law as to how we handle these things as well. This just puts baseball in the same category with other sports.

Peace

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

It looks like they are moving towards the game clock rule that is used by the NCAA. The one minute rule was always encouraged but making it a point of emphasis for 2012 suggests that they want a ball called as penalty for non-compliance, no allowances made. Hmmm?

I don't see how this is any different than the current 6-2-2c Exception:

The starting pitchers may warm up by using not more than eight throws, completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). When a pitcher is replaced during an inning or prior to an inning, the relief pitcher may not use more than eight throws. At the beginning of each subsequent inning, the pitcher may warm up by using not more than five throws, completed in one minute (timed from the third out of the previous half-inning) (3-1-2). In either case, the umpire-in-chief may authorize more throws because of an injury or inclement weather.

The only difference is that relief pitchers brought in during an inning have one minute as well (before, it just mentioned 8 pitches). I don't see anything different.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by yawetag

I don't see how this is any different than the current 6-2-2c Exception:



The only difference is that relief pitchers brought in during an inning have one minute as well (before, it just mentioned 8 pitches). I don't see anything different.

I don't see a substantive difference, agreed, but I've taken all of the NCAA practices with the exception of using a stopwatch into my NFHS games and used them to keep things moving as well as possible. I'd be thrilled to add the watch.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by yawetag

I don't see how this is any different than the current 6-2-2c Exception:



The only difference is that relief pitchers brought in during an inning have one minute as well (before, it just mentioned 8 pitches). I don't see anything different.

That was my point. The only thing they are doing is EMPHASIZING the one minute time period. This is undoubtedly a precursor to an NCAA-like rule. Stopwatches will be a necessity or you will find some coaches hooting for a penalty at 61 seconds and umpires ill prepared to say that the time hasn't expired yet.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Actually on the ABUA website I asked:

"If you could change ONE NFHS Rule what would it be?"

The big winner was "no more checking hats and bats!"

I made the post as a little hint to what was coming down the line.

T

I wonder if South Carolina will continue to check them, though. They seem to be 20 years behind any substantive rule change.

[scarolinablue]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I wonder if South Carolina will continue to check them, though. They seem to be 20 years behind any substantive rule change.

Not on this one, my friend. Not on this one...