ASA Proposed Rule Changes of Note

[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).