NFHS Rules Changes

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Makes sense to me. I don't see the issue.

Old way - we have to determine whether the player could have gotten out of the way.
New way - we only have to determine whether the player moved INTO the ball.

Lots easier.

Apparently not after watching the NCAAs.

However, it really wasn't that much of an issue to begin. Many umpires, and it is taught, to give the batter the benefit of any doubt.

The only reason it became an issue is because some coach got a burr up his/her *** when his/her player did not benefit from trying to get a free ride.

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by bbsbvb83

“Hit By Pitch” Procedure Revised in High School Softball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Theresia Wynns

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 24, 2012) — Batters in high school softball no longer will have to make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch in order to be awarded first base.

This revision to Rule 8-1-2 was one of four rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its June 11-13 meeting in Indianapolis. All rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

A batter will be awarded first base if “a pitched ball is entirely within the batter’s box and it strikes the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required; however, the batter may not obviously try to get hit by the pitch.”

So if the pitcher throws a slow changeup that the batter has plenty of time to avoid, they can opt to stand there and let it hit them for a free base? I don't like this change at all.

In Rule 6-1, the committee approved the following exceptions to the penalty for an illegal pitch:

1) If the batter reaches first base safely and each other runner advances at least one base, the illegal pitch is nullified. All action stands and the illegal pitch is canceled.

2) If the batter does not reach first base safely or if any base runner fails to advance at least one base, the coach of the team at bat shall have the option of the result of the play or the penalty of the illegal pitch.

3) If the batter is hit by an illegal pitch out of the strike zone, the batter is awarded first base and each base runner is awarded one base.

4) If ball four is an illegal pitch, the batter is awarded first base and each base runner is awarded one base.

So, will this make umpires more inclined or even less inclined to call the IP now?

The final rules change was Rule 3-6-10, which will allow stopwatches to be used in the coach’s box.

Aside from games with time limits, I don't see the need, but whatever works best, I suppose.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

Aside from games with time limits, I don't see the need, but whatever works best, I suppose.

I once had a coach who I believe was trying to get it into my head how fast his player was. He timed her running to first base on her first hit and announced to me her time. I think he said something to the effect they that aren't going to throw her out.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

Aside from games with time limits, I don't see the need, but whatever works best, I suppose.

I've heard of coaches who want to time:
- How long it takes for the pitcher to release the ball once she starts her delivery
- How long it takes for the ball to get to second base on the catcher's throw after the pitcher releases the pitch
- How long the pitcher has the ball (looking for 20-sec violations)
- How long it takes their runners to reach first base
- Etc. etc.

Personally, I think it's a waste of time (no pun intended) for a coach to have a stopwatch, but they must think it's important enough to push for the rule change.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

So if the pitcher throws a slow changeup that the batter has plenty of time to avoid, they can opt to stand there and let it hit them for a free base? I don't like this change at all.

Think about it this way.....the pitch shouldn't be in the batter's box at all. Up until now we have made the offense "do something" in order to get to first base. The batter had to try to avoid a pitch that was where it shouldn't have been in the first place. Why should the offensive player have to try to avoid the defensive players mistake?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Andy

Think about it this way.....the pitch shouldn't be in the batter's box at all. Up until now we have made the offense "do something" in order to get to first base. The batter had to try to avoid a pitch that was where it shouldn't have been in the first place. Why should the offensive player have to try to avoid the defensive players mistake?

I'm kinda ambivalent about this rule change. It's just another example of how rule changes are predicated by the opinions of the powers-that-be who feel umpires can't be relied upon when it comes to their judgment.

But I must admit, I have seen situations where a batter freezes up when a fastball comes right at her, and the umpire doesn't let her go to first base because she made no obvious attempt to avoid getting hit. This rule change would remedy that problem.

[tmielke]

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

If you make that distinction, you better have on helluva accurate strike zone.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

The rule says the batter no longer has to attempt to avoid being hit. Pretty clear.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

Or dead ball, ball, if the batter intentionally tried to get hit, no?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

Or dead ball, ball, if the batter intentionally tried to get hit, no?

The part to which he was replying was:

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

Aaahhhhhh.....wait a minute.

So, if a batter is leaning over the plate and get smacked alongside the head with the pitch, the batter is awarded 1B because the ball was out of the strike zone?

[Dakota]

Haven't seen the official rule book, or any interpretations, but it would seem so.

Wonderful, huh?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Aaahhhhhh.....wait a minute.

So, if a batter is leaning over the plate and get smacked alongside the head with the pitch, the batter is awarded 1B because the ball was out of the strike zone?

Yeah, for now, until this actually happens and someone goes berserk, and they reissue a clarification.