2019 NFHS Rule Changes

[Big Slick]

If the rules relax IP penalties, then do away with IP's all together (i.e. allow leaping, stepping back, etc).

Supposed the count is 0-2. What really stops the pitcher from, say, stepping forward a few inches in front before starting the pitch? Sure, it's illegal. If it is called, no big deal, the count is now 1-2. If not called, it gets thrown by the batter for strike three if not called.

I say just go with international pitching rule.

[Mountaincoach]

The rule prohibiting tinted eye shields on the defensive player face masks will become a big issue as time goes by. There's a company out there that is pushing tinted face shields for those masks, and they're becoming pretty popular among the younger kids.

EDIT: And the more I think about it, that makes me a little angry. We beg these kids to wear masks, and they do quite often. In addition, they have to wear sunglasses under them. Then somebody comes up with a better option, and it gets banned. Why? Is it that important that we see a fielder or pitcher's cheek bones and eyebrows? Does anybody know why they won't allow those visors, but yet are cool with allowing sunglasses?

[Altor]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Does anybody know why they won't allow those visors, but yet are cool with allowing sunglasses?

I just Googled this because I was wondering the same thing. The apparent reasoning is that medical personnel cannot see the athlete's eyes in the case of possible head trauma without removing the helmet. I guess they believe sunglasses could be removed without removing the helmet(?).

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by Altor

I just Googled this because I was wondering the same thing. The apparent reasoning is that medical personnel cannot see the athlete's eyes in the case of possible head trauma without removing the helmet. I guess they believe sunglasses could be removed without removing the helmet(?).

Wow. Thanks. Well, I AM a physician (when I'm not standing on a ballfield), and I say that is being WAY too picky. If the injury is that severe to begin with, I'm gonna take a pair of scissors (or a pocket knife in a steady hand) and cut the 4 fabric straps to the mask and simply remove it from the front of the kid's face without having to move her neck or anything else. Just shaking my head. So my next question is this--does the federation allow high school football players to wear tinted visors?

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Wow. Thanks. Well, I AM a physician (when I'm not standing on a ballfield), and I say that is being WAY too picky. If the injury is that severe to begin with, I'm gonna take a pair of scissors (or a pocket knife in a steady hand) and cut the 4 fabric straps to the mask and simply remove it from the front of the kid's face without having to move her neck or anything else. Just shaking my head. So my next question is this--does the federation allow high school football players to wear tinted visors?

No, it is a standard rule across all NFHS sports. No tinted face shields. IMPO, this is overkill. In football and softball, the facemask can be removed via a trusty screwdriver.

[falsecut]

Yeah, what's always fun is when you tell the kid he has to remove it in football and people run around trying to find that screw driver to pull the visor out to make the equipment ready to play. I think that it's more than medical personnel being able to see the eyes, it's also the officials since we are supposed to be watching for signs of a concussion. Also if the kid is unconscious, you might want to be able to see if his eyes are rolled up into his head.

I'm not any sort of trained medical personnel but those are reasons I've heard expressed. Sunglasses are just easier to remove. FWIW.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Wow. Thanks. Well, I AM a physician (when I'm not standing on a ballfield), and I say that is being WAY too picky. If the injury is that severe to begin with, I'm gonna take a pair of scissors (or a pocket knife in a steady hand) and cut the 4 fabric straps to the mask and simply remove it from the front of the kid's face without having to move her neck or anything else. Just shaking my head. So my next question is this--does the federation allow high school football players to wear tinted visors?

This is NOT a new rule, it has been in place for batters, and as BS noted, all NFHS sports for a few years now.

The concern as it was explained in a HS clinic some years ago was they wanted medical personnel to have a clear view of the player's eyes without risking further injury to the back/neck/etc. if they needed to manipulate or remove the headgear to do so.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Altor

I just Googled this because I was wondering the same thing. The apparent reasoning is that medical personnel cannot see the athlete's eyes in the case of possible head trauma without removing the helmet. I guess they believe sunglasses could be removed without removing the helmet(?).

That was the reasoning for football, but IIRC football does not allow sunglasses. I think this is another case of the NFHS creating a 1 sport fits all rule rather than being specific to the circumstances of each individual sport.

That is my personal opinion on the matter.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

If the rules relax IP penalties, then do away with IP's all together (i.e. allow leaping, stepping back, etc).

Supposed the count is 0-2. What really stops the pitcher from, say, stepping forward a few inches in front before starting the pitch? Sure, it's illegal. If it is called, no big deal, the count is now 1-2. If not called, it gets thrown by the batter for strike three if not called.

I say just go with international pitching rule.

Are you referring to removing the pitcher from the position?

I would agree with that, but there MUST be a numerical limit, not just when the umpire believes it is necessary or it is just a waste of time

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Are you referring to removing the pitcher from the position?

I would agree with that, but there MUST be a numerical limit, not just when the umpire believes it is necessary or it is just a waste of time

No, not that part of the international rule.

Pitching regulations, such as only requiring one foot on (as of 2018) and leaping.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

No, not that part of the international rule.

Pitching regulations, such as only requiring one foot on (as of 2018) and leaping.

Okay, but as long as they adopt the entire rule, not just parts of it.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Okay, but as long as they adopt the entire rule, not just parts of it.

Sounds good to me.

Way too much ado about "taking the signal" aspect, which the international rule addresses with the "2 second pause". This year, wbsc allow one foot on and/or step back prior to the hands coming together (similar to pre-2017 NFHS rule). Wbsc allows a leap, land and follow-through, which I would support at any level of play. Still has the 24-inch.