Proposed ASA Rules Changes

[IRISHMAFIA]

I'll post some of the SP-only proposals when I get time this afternoon or tomorrow.

These pertain mostly to FP or ALL disciplines:

* (JO)As stated, several proposals making face masks mandatory.
* (JO)Move 18U Gold pitching to 43 feet.
* (JO)Move all 18U pitching to 43 feet.
* (JO)Permit metal spikes in 18U Gold.
* (FP)Pitcher foot required to be partial on the pitcher plate.
* (FP)Eliminate requirement that pitcher must stride within the width of the pitcher's plate.
* (JO)Keep COR 47 balls, but change compression to 375 lbs
* (JO)A catcher who fails to wear proper equipment after being directed to do so will be DQ'd along with the manager.
*(JO)Any offensive JO player must wear an approved face mask/guard (actually there are 4or so different pieces of legislation on the same subject)
*(ALL)Playing shorthanded, the vacant spot in the BO will be an out each time it that spot is due to appear at the plate. HOWEVER, if a team declares BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS that they will be playing shorthanded, no out shall be assessed for the missing player. Now, here is the caveat: Teams which make this declaration shall not be allowed to add any players to the line-up.
*(JO)The DEFO replacing the DP is a substitute
*(ALL)A coach may not leave the coach's box to give verbal communications or signals to the batter. After a warning, an offensive conference will be charged.
*(ALL)When the umpire judges that an injury is serious enough to demand immediate attention, they may rule "time" immediately. However, the umpire will then award any active runners bases they would have reached had the ball not been ruled dead.
*(JO)Game officially starts at the time of the first pitch to the first batter.
*(FP)If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during a pitch, it remains live and a ball is called IF THE BATTER DOES NOT SWING at the pitch.
*(ALL)There are a few pieces which declare the double-base to be considered a solitary base for all action except a play at first on the BR.
*(ALL)Follwing ISF's lead, the term "about to receive" is to be eliminated from the rule permitted a defensive player position in a runner's basepath. If the defender does not have possession of the ball, and impedes the runner, obstruction is to be called.
*(ALL)When, following a conference, base runners switch positions on the bases they occupied. each runner on the improper base shall be declared out and the head coach shall be ejected for USC.

REMEMBER, these are only offered pieces of legislation which will not be voted upon until next week in Reno.

[whiskers_ump]

Thanks Mike.

Will keep a copy and watch for what happends down the road.
Always good to know in advance what changes are possible.
The shorthanded thing is interesting as is the injury thing.
In AFA we have always used the doublebase as a single after
the initial play on BR.

glen

[Dakota]

Mike,

I don't know if you know any of the rationale behind any of these, but for what it's worth, , here are my comments, editorials, and pointless rantings...

(BTW, I am speaking JO FP only)

* (JO)As stated, several proposals making face masks mandatory.

More and more into the nanny universe. Don't parents have any responsibility anymore?

* (FP)Pitcher foot required to be partial on the pitcher plate.
* (FP)Eliminate requirement that pitcher must stride within the width of the pitcher's plate.

Both of these would make calling legal / illegal pitches easier, especially the first one. Don't think the first one will have any practical effect on the game, though. The second, though, will allow pitches (at the elite levels) with more movement, won't it? It that is true, why do this? Games getting too high scoring?

*(ALL)Playing shorthanded, the vacant spot in the BO will be an out each time it that spot is due to appear at the plate. HOWEVER, if a team declares BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS that they will be playing shorthanded, no out shall be assessed for the missing player. Now, here is the caveat: Teams which make this declaration shall not be allowed to add any players to the line-up.

In all leagues where this matters (i.e. rec, fall, etc.) this is already dealth with by local rule. This is an unnecessary change for Championship Play - if the team can't field a complete roster for championship play, they should take the out, after all, this could just be a ploy to get around to your best hitters more often.

*(JO)The DEFO replacing the DP is a substitute

How will this work? If the DEFO bats, she has "entered" the game? She was always in the game! If the DP bats again, has the DEFO now "left" the game? Weird. Why don't they just use the DH rule if they don't like the flexibility of the DP/DEFO? And just when NFHS is beginning to experiment with the DP/DEFO. Hopefully, this will die.

*(ALL)A coach may not leave the coach's box to give verbal communications or signals to the batter. After a warning, an offensive conference will be charged.

A silly rule from the JO perspective. Maybe this is a problem in adult divisions.

*(ALL)When the umpire judges that an injury is serious enough to demand immediate attention, they may rule "time" immediately. However, the umpire will then award any active runners bases they would have reached had the ball not been ruled dead.

Sounds well-intentioned, but I don't appreciate having to judge the seriousness of an injury. Suppose I misjudge a serious injury as minor? I ain't no EMT.

*(JO)Game officially starts at the time of the first pitch to the first batter.

Well, to their credit, somebody recognizes the need to define both the start and the stop if you are going to time anything, but starting with the first pitch? This would work if their was an official timekeeper, but if I'm behind the plate, I have more to do when the pitcher starts her motion that fiddle with a stopwatch. Good idea, but bad choice - how about start of warmups?

*(FP)If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during a pitch, it remains live and a ball is called IF THE BATTER DOES NOT SWING at the pitch.

Hmmmm.... What led to this?

*(ALL)Follwing ISF's lead, the term "about to receive" is to be eliminated from the rule permitted a defensive player position in a runner's basepath. If the defender does not have possession of the ball, and impedes the runner, obstruction is to be called.

Good.

Thanks for posting this, Mike.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota
Mike,

I don't know if you know any of the rationale behind any of these, but for what it's worth, ,

Actually, I do know!

More and more into the nanny universe. Don't parents have any responsibility anymore?

No

The person submitting this believed that having the foot just "in contact" requires the pitcher to lift their foot off the plate in order to throw a pitch. As we know, lifting the foot makes it an illegal pitch. I don't think the individual is aware that a pitch can throw a legal pitch when just being in contact with the plate

As you stated, this is already in place in many local assns. But playing a body short in the field is much more of a concern than getting around to the better batters.

Rule 4, Sec 3, D & E are cited.

A silly rule from the JO perspective. Not in this area. It is just to keep the coaches closer to were they need to stay.

Sounds well-intentioned, but I don't appreciate having to judge the seriousness of an injury.

This is only giving the power to the umpire to stop play if they think it is necessary. You can still award bases, so the shenanigans should be few. You are not being asked to make a medical decision.

Well, to their credit, somebody recognizes the need to define both the start and the stop if you are going to time anything, but starting with the first pitch? This would work if their was an official timekeeper, but if I'm behind the plate, I have more to do when the pitcher starts her motion that fiddle with a stopwatch. Good idea, but bad choice - how about start of warmups?

This was purely for definition, but I believe the clock starting at the end of pre-game meeting at the plate will better serve the game.

Hmmmm.... What led to this?

This is to allow a batter with enough intelligence to swing with at a "dropped third strike" and advance to 1B.

Good.

Thanks for posting this, Mike.

You're Welcome,

[David Emerling]

Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
*(JO)The DEFO replacing the DP is a substitute

I'm not sure I understand this one.

The DEFO replacing the DP can only mean that the DEFO bats in the DP's slot. The DP is considered to have been removed from the game when this happens. The DP will have to expend her retry privilege to return to the game. This is currently how it interpreted.

So, how does the "new" proposal change anything?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by David Emerling

I'm not sure I understand this one.

The DEFO replacing the DP can only mean that the DEFO bats in the DP's slot. The DP is considered to have been removed from the game when this happens. The DP will have to expend her retry privilege to return to the game. This is currently how it interpreted.

So, how does the "new" proposal change anything?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

It is simply a clarification as the last sentence of the rule reads "The DEFO replacing the DP is not a substitution."

[Dakota]

Originally posted by David Emerling

I'm not sure I understand this one.

The DEFO replacing the DP can only mean that the DEFO bats in the DP's slot. The DP is considered to have been removed from the game when this happens. The DP will have to expend her retry privilege to return to the game. This is currently how it interpreted.

So, how does the "new" proposal change anything?

What I read into this was that if the DEFO bats for the DP, not only is the DP removed from the game, but the DEFO "enters" the game. If this is the interpretation, they would be removing the "half substitute" nature of the DEFO batting for the DP. This would make the rule more confusing, IMO.