2018 USA/ASA Softball Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks REMINDERS

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1 PIAA Officials Staff: Statewide Rules Interpreter: 2018 USA/ASA Softball Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks Here is the link for the 2018 USA Softball ASA Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks. This is the list the coaches need to have with them. They can have it in paper form (preferred color) or is acceptable to have it on their electronic device. REMINDERS Chapter, District and Statewide Interpreters should only answer questions related to playing rules and mechanics. No league or district can supersede NFHS / PIAA playing rules without PIAA approval; IE Sub-Varsity games will only be 5 inning games or 90 minutes in length. Eligibility questions should be directed to the district office or the PIAA Office. Chapter interpreters are encouraged to distribute, review and discuss this bulletin with members of their chapter. UMPIRES QUESTIONS Questions should always follow this process; chapter umpires direct your questions to your chapter interpreter, chapter interpreters to your district interpreter and district interpreter to the statewide interpreter. Encourage your head coaches to do the same. Also remember as chapter, district and statewide interpreters we only respond to playing rules and mechanics, not eligibility questions.

2 NFHS Rules Book Corrections Rules Book page Delete No pitches are thrown Rules Book page SITUATION A - last sentence, after dead add a, and after every pitch add (SP), before or after. Page 44 Dead Ball Table left side # 24 delete the (S.P.) and change the ruling from to Page 84 COMMENTS ON THE 2018 RULES Changes add pitcher after coach, should read coach, pitcher or catcher of the defensive team.. NFHS Case Book Corrections Page SITUATION A - last sentence, after dead add a, and after every pitch add (SP), before or after. COMMENT: The last sentence should read: RULING: The batter-runner must return to first base as the ball always becomes dead, after every pitch (SP), or after an intentional base on balls is awarded. Page SITUATION G change G to J Page SITUATION D - The RULING is incorrect and should read: RULING: Although the batter is awarded first base, all other runners are entitled to advance one base without liability to be put out. Once R2 passed third base she is now liable to be put out. If this happens for the third out of the inning prior to R1 touching home, R1's run would not count. (2-63, , 2, 8-1-1c, 8-4-3a) NOTE this is the same ruling on pages of the 2018 Case Book SITUATION F. Umpires Manual Figure 22, 23, and 32 diagrams are incorrect as the (P) Plate umpire should be baseline extended depending on which team is batting. The verbiage that accompanies the diagram is correct. The following is being repeated as a result of many phone calls, s and questions at meetings. Coaches are now directly responsible for the inspecting the equipment prior to each game. Nothing else has changed; the rule enforcement is the same as it has been in the past. A couple of notes worth reviewing: Coaches cannot request umpires to check their equipment prior to the game. Umpires must still walk the field before every game; the change only refers to equipment.

3 NFHS Case Book Corrections Continued SITUATION: During the game the defensive coach requests the plate umpire inspect the bat that the ondeck batter is swinging. RULING: This is a legal request since the head coach must ensure that all equipment is legal. COMMENT 1: We would not call the on-deck batter out since she is not in the batter s box or has just hit the softball. But we do enforce the balance of the rule. The on-deck batter and the head coach are ejected for the reminder of the contest. A substitute will replace the on-deck batter. Drones are not permitted for Inter-school Practices and Scrimmages. Drones may not be used to scout opposing team Practices. Remember during scrimmages, coaches need to check the equipment using the new rule. There needs to be a pre-game meeting with the umpires, head coaches and team captain(s). We read the Sportsmanship Message and head coaches must respond to the sportsmanship message with a yes response. August 3rd & 4th, 2018 Hilton Harrisburg

4 USING SOCIAL MEDIA This is worth repeating as we begin the season. Social Media today has never been more important than it is today. Social networking sites can be wonderful communication tools. But there can be unintended consequences if they are used improperly. Because of our unique standing, officials need to be particularly careful when using those sites. Here are some reminders and guidelines: DO be aware that posts on social media are visible to the general public. Even if you limit access to your page to friends, it is likely that your post will be viewed by someone beyond the circle of people you intended to see it. DO think twice before you post. If there is anything in your post that could be construed as a criticism of officials, of officials decisions, or of schools, coaches or athletes it s better left unsent. DO assume that your post will be seen by the two teams you will see in your next game and the teams you worked in your previous game as well as your partner(s) in those games. DON T post anything relating to the schools you have worked or will work. It calls your objectivity into question. DON T include anything in a post that makes reference to an upcoming assignment. If teams want to find out who is going to be working their game, they should do so through official channels, not your tweet. DON T post details about other people s assignments, to playoff games for instance, until that information has been officially released. Don t use your page as a news service. DON T use social media to criticize state or local association policies, assigning practices, etc. DON T make posts regarding calls made by officials in other games, whatever the level. You and your buddies might debate the call you saw on TV, but debating the call on Facebook, Twitter or other forums and social media is a no-no. Remember, accountability and integrity should always be our guiding principles. Jeopardizing your impartiality or professionalism should never be a part of your actions or posts. The following is the policy on the use of social media. Again not the PIAA s but something to use. Consider social media communications as public at all times even if created with private intentions. If you are going to use social media in any form, consider your communication may be read by any-one at any time. You represent the officiating industry, your associations, your assignors and your partners. Act accordingly. Promote officiating in a positive light and with a general feeling of pride and professionalism. You are an ambassador for officiating. You have a unique access to information. The same ethical restrictions that apply to any form of public speech also apply to social media. It is inappropriate to communicate specifics about your assignments, other officials, conferences/schools, coaches, players or any related personnel. Do not engage in specific play and/or ruling evaluation/commentary, whether it be of a game you worked, one that you witnessed or in general about the impact of officials in any sporting event. Communications among officials for learning purposes should be done privately and not through the use of social media. Be mindful that and other forms of direct communication can be made public. Be very sparing in the sharing of your personal information, including photos. Adjust security settings accordingly. Report fake profiles or posts to the appropriate authorities/governing bodies in a timely fashion Take a fellow PIAA umpire along with you, maybe you can help each other, video tape each other and then review the video together as a teachable moment. It is great to see pitches before the first contest you have to umpire. Student-athletes practice why not umpires?

5 HEAD COACH NOT AT GAME SITE AT GAME TIME Prior to the start of the game, the head coach has not arrived at the game site for a number of reasons, could not leave work early, traffic, etc. If it is a just a matter of minutes 5 or less, wait for the head coach to arrive, keep in mind they will be responsible for verifying the his/her team are properly equipment, no exceptions. But if it beyond 5 minutes the assistant coach is now the head coach for that game. Why, because he/she is the one responsible for verifying the equipment according to the NFHS rules as well as the PIAA Policies and Procedures. NOTE the assistant coach that attended will remain the head coach for the duration of the game even when the head coach arrives later. The original head coach becomes the Assistant Coach for the purposes the game and can perform all the duties as any assistant can perform, I.E. coach the bases, go out and talk to the pitcher, etc. If it is a double header and the occurrence happened in game one they can switch responsibilities for game two (2). SITUATIONS In the exam situations, F refers to a fielder, B refers to a batter and R refers to a runner. All situations and acts are legal, and no errors or mistakes are involved unless otherwise noted. Provided it is under the supervision and control of the umpire, which of the following is legal for a pitcher to use on the pitching hand: A. Tape on the contact points. B. Saliva. C. Powdered resin or any comparable drying agent. D. Any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm, or thigh which the umpire judges to be distracting to the batter. E. All of the above. When a pitcher fails to deliver the pitch within the required timeframe, a ball is called on the batter and runners are advanced one base. Any equipment judged to be potentially dangerous by the umpire is illegal. Exposed undergarments are considered part of the official uniform and shall be black, white, gray or a solid school color.

6 SITUATIONS CONTINUED In the exam situations, F refers to a fielder, B refers to a batter and R refers to a runner. All situations and acts are legal, and no errors or mistakes are involved unless otherwise noted. A team's lineup card shall include each starting player's first initial and last name, jersey number, position and batting order. At the pregame meeting, the head coach must list all team members on the team's roster. The use of the DP/FLEX is required. A run does not score if a preceding runner is declared the fourth out for missing a base, and the defensive team selects that out to its advantage. A team may finish the game with fewer than eight players. The pitcher has her choice of balls at the start of each half-inning unless both balls do not get put into play in the first half of the first inning. The score of a forfeited game is 7-0 unless the offending team is behind; then the score remains as recorded. After the game starts, the umpires are sole judges as to whether conditions, including grounds, are fit for play.

7 SITUATIONS CONTINUED In the exam situations, F refers to a fielder, B refers to a batter and R refers to a runner. All situations and acts are legal, and no errors or mistakes are involved unless otherwise noted. A coach is not permitted to project a substitution. It is legal for S1 to substitute for the starting pitcher Fl in the third inning, and then re-enter the original pitcher in the fifth inning in the same position in the batting order. An umpire's decision involving fair/foul call or a safe/out call may be appealed by requesting assistance from another umpire. The plate umpire is responsible for ensuring that a team's bats and helmets are inspected. The plate umpire's pregame duties include which of the following: A. Inspect batting and catching helmets. B. Inspect bats. C. Inspect the condition of the field. D. Define the dugout/bench areas. E. All of the above. A substitute who is withdrawn may re-enter once per game provided she does so in the same batting position. Which of the following are appealable plays? A. Missing a base. B. Batting out of order. C. Leaving a base early on a caught fly ball. D. All of the above. Answers provided in the interpreters meeting guide

8 OBSTRUCTION SITUATION: R1 on second base and a base hit to the outfield. As R1 rounds 3 rd base she bumps F5 standing near the inside corner of 3 rd base. RULING: Obstruction, R1 is awarded home plate and the run scores. The complete plate/ base belongs to the runner, therefore the runner is entitled to the inside corner of 3 rd base. If R1 is thrown out at the plate, she is awarded home plate. (2-36, b) SITUATION: R1 on second base and a base hit to the outfield. As R1 rounds 3 rd going to the plate, F2 is straddling the plate and does not have the softball. RULING: Obstruction, R1 is awarded at home plate and the run scores. The complete plate/ base belongs to the runner, therefore the runner is entitled to all 5 sides of home plate. If R1 is thrown out at the plate, she is awarded home plate and the run scores. (2-36, b) COMMENTS: In NFHS Softball, the base and home plate belong to the runner. The defense cannot straddle or partially block part of a base or plate. The runner is entitled to all sides of base/plate. The defense cannot determine the part of the plate or base a runner has to touch. The defense while straddling a base or plate leaving a side open for the runner to slide into is considered obstruction. (NFHS Ruling) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION \ The 2018 season has begun and the weather has teased us somewhat. But are you ready? Before we know it, the weather will break and we will have dry, warm days. Are you ready? Have you called a coach in your area and asked them if you can attend a practice and call some pitches? This will allow you to see some pitches before your first game. Maybe consider taking another umpire with you. Have you got your umpires uniform out and checked it; does it still fit, maybe you lost some weight, etc. We have heard some coaches are going to ask the umpires before EACH game to check there equipment, the answer to that is NO! But remember it is our responsibility to inspect the field prior to each game.