NFHS Update

[WestMichBlue]

NFHS Update

Received email today from Randy Allen, a member of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee WRT several issues.

1. 8.4.3 “About to receive” insertion. His reply: “The 2006 rules book has mistakenly included the “about to receive” language. It is a mistake and we are making the correction at rules meetings with a handout.”

2. Removing “Runner remaining on her feet and crashing into defender” from 8.3.14. He agreed this is correct. Apparently they want us to focus specifically on the malicious contact part. (Personally, I have seen umpires ejecting players for this type of collision even though intent or malicious contact was not obvious.) We still can call the runner out for interference under 8.3.13.

3. Confirming my previous statement about the penalty for BOO. Regardless of what the improper batter did (got on base, or made an out), she goes“poof.” She never existed. Only outs are those on other runners and the out being called on the proper batter for failing to bat in order.

4. What are “confines of the field?” His reply: “We define the confines of the field as inside the fence. I have advised officials that if they see a pitcher warming up outside the confines of the field, it is good practice to suggest to a coach between innings that a mask/head protector for the non-adult person doing the catching is advisable.”

WMB