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.