Have had 11 scrimmage games to date, (season starts Mon.)and have had
several problems with batters removing the lines. The only time I actually
involked the penalty was when I asked the batter why she did it, she said
the coach told her to. (We have just been warning them in the scrimmages.
Here we let them play during this period, no line ups, bat the roster,
free sub, create situtations they want to work on, etc. Games last only 1:10
with some 1:15.
Appears this will be an interesting rule.

Hard to believe you guys have made me anxious to get to the clinic on Monday night.

They'll always do what you let them do. Since this is a new interp to be enforced, it might be a good idea to give them a warning - at the plate conference. "Remember coach, if the girls take out the lines it's going to be a strike. That's the way Fed wants it."

Mike

Mike - I disagree - no special reminders or warnings at the pre-game meeting. Make the call. The first penalty will be all the reminder that they need.

I agree with Steve.

The pre-game is not for warnings and rule clinics. If a coach has
a question about a rule, briefly explain it and go on. Pre game is to
ask coaches to verify compliance with NFHS rules, special local ground
rules, game ending procedures, (i.e. run rules, ITB utilization.)

Maybe Mike should have said "reminder" in the pre-game.

It is not uncommon for an umpire to remind teams of a new rule at the beginning of a season as a preventive measure.

ITB? Don't believe HS uses the international tie breaker everywhere.

I've done 5 games here--
Federation rules under FHSAA auspices and have
had no problems with this new rule--
sounds like the rule was written in response
to a few localized problems.

I have done four games here, two JV and two V. Had to call and strike and warn a batter one time, in a varsity game. Her response? "Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

Nor do all districts locally. That is why I would include it in my
pregame, so I will know if it is being used or not.
Not used at all in playoffs.

I don't believe that ITB is an option given by UIL. Is it?

Actually, my point was that some of those which do use a tiebreaker do not use the international version which goes into effect in the top of the eigth inning.

We use it in ITB for JV.. I actually didnt know it til I was working a game and at the end of 7 a girl trots out to 2nd.. whats going on coach? TB.. ok... play ball.. Verified it through UIC later.. yep they use it.

Since this thread has already been hijacked...

Up here in WA, the tiebreaker is left up to each district/conference/league. We have some that go top of 8, top of 9, even top of 10. I wish NFHS would just have everyone do it top of 8 and not have "state associations" decide it.

Same thing here with double first base. NFHS doesn't mandate it, so WIAA doesn't either...and we use no double base at state tournament.