Conference at the mound...and the plate
 

Watching Indiana/Indiana St softball today and after the Sycamores batter flies out weakly to the SS....ball gets thrown around the horn, then all the players gather at the pitchers mound, INCLUDING the catcher. Routine of hand gestures/slaps and such to the outfield, then I noticed that the batter, after running to first, comes back, stops and conferences with the next batter....I know that softball games are usually a lot quicker than baseball...but wondering if you think that this is all necessary and should be allowed? Just hoping that this doesn't trickle down to the HS level.

It's already at the HS level. just hurry them up or give warning for delay of game if it truly slowing the game down.

And please be careful about using the word "conference". :eek:

true it is not a conference.

If they are done with their hand slapping and talking about the pitcher prior to my partner(s) and I getting back to position, no problem....If I have to wait any appreciable amount of time, I will deal with it.

Otherwise, let 'em have fun and enjoy the game.

Agree. There's nothing against the rules on what they were doing, as long as it can't be interpreted as taunting or anything like that. As long as it doesn't disrupt the natural flow of the game, no biggie.

As for the retired batter stopping and talking to the next batter, again, why worry about that? She's offering her teammate a little advice, and she's probably done with it by the time we get set.

It's just not a CHARGED conference. Call it what you want, just don't call it a CHARGED conference. :p

agree...shouldn't have used the word 'conference'....just getting fed up with all the hand slapping and such....like in basketball when everyone feels it is necessary to step in and slap the free throw shooters hand after every free throw...even when they miss one. play the game, make the plays, act like you should make the plays without all the hoopla. old school, i guess. and i know we have recourse for actions that delay play.

This would equate to a "huddle" in Fed, depending on how long they are there.

And the violation for this is...?

Seriously, I can't find anything in the rule book that covers "huddles" in Fed softball.

That's kind of the point. No violation at all (assuming the defense is ready to pitch when they are supposed to be, and the offense is ready to bat when they are supposed to be).

OK, who has maintained a library of annual NFHS rules books?

Several years ago, huddles were a Point of Emphasis, no huddling to be allowed on the field of play. Safety reasons coming in and out of the dugout each half inning (huddling where the other team is throwing a ball around), and to maintain a pace of game management with the unnecessary huddle and handslaps at the pitching circle every half inning (at a minimum).

We were directed to break up any/all on the sidelines but on the field, give an unsportsmanlike warning to the head coach if repeated, and eject for unsportsmanlike conduct if still ignored. We were directed to warn, and then announce "play" and start the 10 second count for the first pitch if ignored at the circle.

To my knowledge, despite not being stated in a rule, that direction regarding safety and game manegement has not been rescinded.

Oh boy....if you are really that sick of players enjoying the game, which is what they are doing, then maybe you shouldn't officiate it. Also, softball fields don't have a "mound", an in-the-air hit to the SS is most likely a pop out and not a fly out, and this goes on in just about every level of softball there is. The only time we worry about it is if we are in a timed game, and the team that's getting together is taking too long and there is an issue with the clock. In that case, you instruct them to move it along.

Don't look for problems on a field. They'll find you without you ever asking for them.

Interpreters Section

2006 POE. The only huddle the NFHS wanted stopped was the team coming off the field in front of dug-out while their opponent was warming up.

Well.......actually.........by definition, a pop-up is a fly ball. For that matter, a non-foul tip caught by the catcher is a "fly ball" caught for an out.