ASA Proposed Rule Changes of Note

[IRISHMAFIA]

The following are the rule changes that will be presented to the General Council tomorrow as approved:

Change 16U & 18U FP to 43' pitching distance

Change base distance for Men's Adult SP (excluding Seniors) to 70'

Permit the Safety Base to be any color contrasting with white

Clarified a legal bat which includes a flare/cone at the knob end of the handle

Allow JO 16U & 18U FP to wear metal spikes

Eliminated "heating" from the Note restricting the changing of the characteristics of equipment

Change the rule to return all runners to their previous base ANYTIME the BR is determined to be an Unreported Substitute prior to the next pitch.

Change 4.7.C.5 from banning "communication equipment" to "electronic equipment" from the dugout. This includes video cameras.

Include "Modified" in the rule allowing the pitcher to use a drying agent

Allowed Modified to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher similar to that of the FP game.

The following are some of the proposed changes rejected, but may be resurrected on during General Council:

Changing the pitching distance to 53' for all adult SP except Seniors

Changing the base distance to 70' for all adult SP except Seniors and Masters

Changing the pitch height in SP to 6-10 feet

Allowing a courtesy foul in SP when the batter starts with a 1-1 count

[AtlUmpSteve]

Without any disagreement with Mike, here is what I posted on my local messageboard:

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

The one Code item everyone is focused on regards college players playing in youth. The current status is the one remaining proposal would ban them only from Gold, and it includes even club team players, as well as JUCO, etc. That one passed Legislative with a slim split vote, and will surely be debated again tomorrow at the General Council. Because it passed at the Committee, it will take a 60% majority to overturn the passage (an interesting turn, in that it now means that 40% + 1 is a majority???). Several Code proposals to move the Gold National around the country have passed.

The same situation exists regarding metal cleats; now passed the Rules Committee by a slim majority for all 16U and 18U levels. Pitching changes for all 18U and 16U levels to 43' appears well in hand; 14U just isn't going to happen this year. Proposals to mandate face guards have failed miserably; as have proposals to disqualify catchers (and/or the head coach) if they are observed warming up pitchers without masks. A proposal to allow EP's also failed badly, as well as allowing on deck batters to either side. Efforts to match the high school and college requirement to draw the bat back on a bunt also appears doomed. One proposal to ban any electronic equipment not used solely for scorekeeping appears like it will pass (someone used video cameras and playback in the dugout).

When I say failed badly, there were unanimous subcommittee rejections, and the Rules Committee could not muster a motion and second to even vote with almost 50 voting members present. Those items with split votes will almost assuredly be rebattled by the General Council.

For those interested in adult slow pitch, there were split votes on 1) moving adult bases to 70' to give infielders more time to make a play (approved), 2) dropping the arc from 12' to 10' to match other associations (failed), and adding a courtesy foul (failed).

[wadeintothem]

Sounds pretty good. Interesting is all the hubbub at the 18Gs about the grip attachements only to (probably) have it changed this year.

Good to see the cleat changes.

I think the pitching distance change is what parents/coaches think they want not realizing how badly most of their pitchers struggle even at 40'. I think they think their pitchers are better than they are. This change will help the top pitchers and hurt the vast majority of mediocre pitchers.. but if its what they want, oh well.

I experienced it several times last weekend with teams playing up to 18's expecting me to adjust my zone so their mediocre pitchers could get a strike.

Banning electrical equipment sounds like an unnecessary PITA.

I guess no news on whether the 18gs will be moving around?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I guess no news on whether the 18gs will be moving around?

Actually, 3 different proposals, I believe 2 of 3 may have passed.

One has it always being voted on and awarded like every other tournament. Second has it on OKC every 3rd year, with the Executive Director placing it in the off years.

The one I believe failed had it in OKC every 5th year, with the other 4 voted on and awarded.

Pretty sure one of the two will be the final outcome; surprising to me, #2 seems the favorite. Will be fought, as some want the membership to make all such decisions, and not give up any opportunities.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I guess no news on whether the 18gs will be moving around?

Actually, Steve addressed that.

The change was to allow the Executive Director designate the location.

At the time, I was sitting with a particular ASA member whom I believe has an inside track. One of the Past Presidents jokingly mentioned "trusting" RR to place the tournament around the country, including the possibility of Altoona, PA.

I turned to this individual and said, "I see it more like a rotation of Anaheim, OKC & Orlando".

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Actually, Steve addressed that.

The change was to allow the Executive Director designate the location.

At the time, I was sitting with a particular ASA member whom I believe has an inside track. One of the Past Presidents jokingly mentioned "trusting" RR to place the tournament around the country, including the possibility of Altoona, PA.

I turned to this individual and said, "I see it more like a rotation of Anaheim, OKC & Orlando".

He could throw Georgia a bone. If it wasnt for their weather, that place aint half bad.

As long as we dont have to go to Texas, least of all Midland.. its all good though.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Permit the Safety Base to be any color contrasting with white

How about also contrasting with the ground? Any color includes tan, brown, faded orange, etc.

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

How about also contrasting with the ground?

Well, that would throw out Orange bases here, with our clay.

[IRISHMAFIA]

The following are the rule changes that have been approved:

Change 16U & 18U FP to 43' pitching distance

Permit the Safety Base to be any color contrasting with white

Clarified a legal bat which includes a flare/cone at the knob end of the handle

Allow JO 16U & 18U FP to wear metal spikes

Eliminate "heating" from the Note restricting the changing of the characteristics of equipment

Change the rule to return all runners to their previous base ANYTIME the BR is determined to be an Unreported Substitute prior to the next pitch.

Change 4.7.C.5 from banning "communication equipment" to "electronic equipment" from the dugout. This includes video cameras.

Change SP & 16" SP pitch height to 10' (passed by council, 162-58)

Include "Modified" in the rule allowing the pitcher to use a drying agent

Allowed Modified to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher similar to that of the FP game.

[NCASAUmp]

So those are completely done deals? All of those will appear in the 2010 book?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

So those are completely done deals? All of those will appear in the 2010 book?

Yep

[wadeintothem]

Thanks for the update. Looks good!

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Change SP & 16" SP pitch height to 10' (passed by council, 162-58)

This one surprises me. Why did they lower the max height? To be more consistent with other orgs? Or to get greater consistency among umpires?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

This one surprises me. Why did they lower the max height? To be more consistent with other orgs? Or to get greater consistency among umpires?

The SP Task Force really wanted this. Some RPL players supported this as they contend it is easier to change bats than adjust timing. It was presented as something the players prefer and would possible draw teams back to ASA.

This was one of four changes for which the task force seriously lobbied and I believe it was the only one they got sold.

[wadeintothem]

Kinda wish ASA would have stood firm on allowing college players in the Gold.. but I guess that had to go.