2015 NFHS Rule Changes

[Andy]

NFHS released 2015 rule changes for Softball and Baseball.

Here is the link: NFHS | Rules Changes Approved in High School Baseball, Softball


Here are the two paragraphs relative to softball:

In softball, two rules changes were recommended by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee at its June 16-18 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Rules 1-6-1 and 1-7-1 were revised to state that the batting helmet and the catcher’s helmet shall have a non-glare surface (not mirror-like).

Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials education and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee, said the committee instituted these changes because helmets that are mirror-like in nature are distracting and could be dangerous for other players.

Has anybody ever seen a batters and/or catcher's helmet with a "mirror-like" surface?

[jmkupka]

Early this season, 1st game of the day (maybe an 8AM game) morning sun low in the sky right behind me over my shoulder, was reflecting off the back of F2's goalie-style mask, to the point that I had to hold up F1 a couple times for the "flashbulb effect" to fade from my eyes... never happened before or since...

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Andy

NFHS released 2015 rule changes for Softball and Baseball.

Here is the link: NFHS | Rules Changes Approved in High School Baseball, Softball


Here are the two paragraphs relative to softball:



Has anybody ever seen a batters and/or catcher's helmet with a "mirror-like" surface?

If by "mirror-like" they mean "reflective", yes, I've seen it.

I would hope they would explain what they mean by "non-glare" and "mirror-like". There are a lot of choices between a matt finish and a mirror. Does this make any glossy paint illegal? Does this make semi-gloss illegal?

[Big Slick]

This is a poorly written article; it jumps between baseball and softball rules.

I wonder why these two separate sports are paired together. Does NFHS also pair soccer and field hockey (they are both played on a big field with a ball and goal). Even if there isn't enough rule changes for separate press releases, at least list all the baseball and then the softball changes.

[DaveASA/FED]

This one sure is mirror like, only saw a couple of them this year.

Enhanced View

[Altor]

Ugh...should have known it would be Under Armour. There's a reason I've had a personal boycott of their products for the last decade.

[AtlUmpSteve]

On the plus, isn't everyone happy they found less changes and tweaks necessary than prior years?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

If by "mirror-like" they mean "reflective", yes, I've seen it.

I would hope they would explain what they mean by "non-glare" and "mirror-like". There are a lot of choices between a matt finish and a mirror. Does this make any glossy paint illegal? Does this make semi-gloss illegal?

I think that is the problem. Do you have a HS coach in your area who thinks every game relies on their strategy and game intelligence?

How long do you think it will take "super coach" to start arguing that the reflection off the non-mirrorlike helmet is distracting to his players when s/he needs an excuse?

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I think that is the problem. Do you have a HS coach in your area who thinks every game relies on their strategy and game intelligence?

How long do you think it will take "super coach" to start arguing that the reflection off the non-mirrorlike helmet is distracting to his players when s/he needs an excuse?

I wondering which I'll run into first, that coach or one of the OOOs that will reject a new helmet whose paint is "too shiny"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

I wondering which ill run into first, that coach or one of the OOOs that will reject a new helmet whose paint is "too shiny"

Good point, shouldn't exclude the umpires from the mix

[Manny A]

Any insight on what was considered but voted down? I thought there was talk of making the pitchers stay in contact with the pitcher's plate with both feet a la ASA.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Any insight on what was considered but voted down? I thought there was talk of making the pitchers stay in contact with the pitcher's plate with both feet a la ASA.

FYI - That rule went into effect for Florida last year.

[Jake26]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

FYI - That rule went into effect for Florida last year.

As part of a trial? As was done before increasing the pitching distance?

[PABlue]

I thought that MAYBE they would get away from us checking equipment and put the onus on the coaches.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Andy

NFHS released 2015 rule changes for Softball and Baseball.

Here is the link: NFHS | Rules Changes Approved in High School Baseball, Softball


Here are the two paragraphs relative to softball:



Has anybody ever seen a batters and/or catcher's helmet with a "mirror-like" surface?

Andy:

The answer to your question is yes, three times to be exact.

1) Midway through the H.S. baseball season, the OhioHSAA issued a memo that included a photograph of a batting helmet with a chrome finish. The OhioHSAA memo (which did not reference the NFHS but the 2014-15 Rule Changes leads me to believe that questions regarding this type of finish were being raised around the country) stated that this type of finish was illegal.

2) I was in a Dick's Sporting Goods store in early June and I saw one for sale. I mentioned to a salesman that the batting helmet was illegal. He said that he knew that and he agreed that they should be illegal because of the finish, but he said that he had sold a number of them none-the-less.

3) Mark, Jr., and I were umpiring a H.S. summer league baseball game (NFHS Baseball Rules) when a batter came to the Plate wearing one. We told him he couldn't wear it and he complied without complaining.

MTD, Sr.