NEW JERSEY STATE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 1161 Route 130 North, P.O. Box 487, Robbinsville, NJ Phone ~ Fax

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1 TO: Baseball Coaches, Athletic Directors and Umpires FROM: Tony Maselli, Assistant Director DATE: January 2018 RE: The 2018 National Federation Baseball Rules Modifications NJSIAA RULES INTERPRETER Mr. Craig Yetman 22 Stockton road New Brunswick, New Jersey Cell Phone: (732) Baseball Coaches, Athletic Directors and Umpires are advised to read all rules carefully and to note the following state approved modifications: (See Page 66) 1. Rule 1, Section. 4, Article. 4 - (p.13): For special occasions commemorative or memorial patches may be worn not to exceed 4 sq. in. They must be worn in a uniform fashion in an appropriate and dignified manner without compromising the integrity of the uniform. The patch must be worn on the jersey. 2. Rule 4, Section. 2, Article. 2 (p. 33) The game shall end when the visiting team is behind 10 or more runs after 4 ½ innings, or after the fifth inning, if either team is 10 runs behind and both teams have had an equal number of times at bat. (Adopted by the NJSIAA) 3. Rule 4, Section. 2, Article. 4 - (p. 34): (1) A two-hour time limit may be approved for (subvarsity) games by mutual or conference agreement. (2) The NJSIAA does not honor suspended games, except for state tournament games. 4. Rule 4, Section 4, Article 1a - (pp. 34): A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team is fifteen (15) minutes late in appearing or in beginning play, after the umpire calls "play" at scheduled game time. This may be set aside if the umpire considers the delay unavoidable. 5. Rule 4, Section 5, Article 1 (p. 35) Protests based upon an official's judgment or misinterpretation (misapplication) of the playing rules will not be honored by the NJSIAA. 6. Speed-up Rule - Courtesy Runners (pp. 65) are adopted in total. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 1 of 10

2 HANDLING EJECTED PLAYERS/COACHES A. It is the coach's responsibility to provide proper supervision of all players at all times. B. NJSIAA procedures will supersede a playing rule which requires a coach or player to leave the premises upon disqualification; therefore, a player will be confined to the bench area to remain under the supervision of the coach. If said player continues to be disruptive or act in an unsportsmanlike manner, the official may terminate the game/event. NOTE: All schools must present the umpires with a completed 5" x 7" lineup card and when exercising the DH option, the designated hitter should be listed right above the defensive player in which the DH is batting for. REGULATIONS FOR BLEEDING, OPEN WOUNDS AND BLOOD ON THE UNIFORM A player, coach or umpire who is bleeding, who has an open wound or who has blood on his or her uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is umpire judgment. The reentry rule would apply to players. NOTE: See Infectious Disease Policy Note (4) for process. BASEBALL SUSPENDED GAME RULE FOR STATE TOURNAMENT GAMES All NJSIAA post season tournament baseball games must be played to the full seven innings (turns at bat) unless extra innings are necessary because if a tie score, or unless shortened because the home team needs none of its half of the seventh inning or only a fraction of it. The exception to this is the 10-run rule that the state association has adopted. A BASEBALL GAME THAT IS SUSPENDED AT ANY TIME DURING THE GAME SHALL BE PICKED UP AT THE POINT OF INTERRUPTION AND THEN COMPLETED AS THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH STATES. REGULAR SEASON GAMES PLEASE NOTE THE POWER POINT SLIDE THAT REFERS TO HOW A REGULAR SEASON GAME THAT IS TIED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME SHALL BE HANDLED. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 2 of 10

3 NJSIAA Baseball Policies Lineup Cards Based on the recommendation of coaches at the 2015 baseball committee meeting, the lineup card will revert back to pre-2013 regulations. It is recommended that the lineup card presented to the umpire be in a 5 X 7 card stock form meeting all requirements of Rule The designated hitter (DH) shall be listed immediately below the player he is batting for on the lineup card. Starter Number Position Substitute Substitute Substitute 1 Adams 17 SS 2 Coleman 45 P Fox #18 Coleman #45 3 Fitzsimmons 8 2B 4 Carter 43 LF 5 Santos 19 CF 6 Baker 6 1B Johnson 27 DH 7 Sadowski 29 RF 8 Martin 41 C 9 DeMarini 38 3B The recommended format above allows for tracking the re-entry rule. Other lineup card forms are appropriate for levels of play without re-entry. Umpires shall not talk to Media or post on Social Media comments on rulings. After officiating a high school baseball game, any questions from the media are to be referred to Tony Maselli, NJSIAA Assistant Director. Game officials shall respond, NO Comment, when asked a question about a ruling or play. Officials shall refrain from commenting or offering a ruling on a play situation in a game that they were not involved in. The above also pertains to posting comments on social media sites as well. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 3 of 10

4 Suspended Games NJSIAA has adopted the suspended game rule for State and Conference Tournament play. State Tournament games must be played to completion. (10 Run Rule is in effect for all tournament games). Schools may treat a regular season game as a suspended game only if the Conference adopts the Suspended Game rule prior to March 31 st of each year. This is important as a tie does not result in power points. A suspended game must be completed prior to the State Tournament cutoff date in order to be included in power point calculations. In order for a regular season game between opponents of schools from different conferences be considered suspended, both conferences must have adopted the suspended game rule prior to March 31 st. Adult Coaches must wear a Helmet in the Coach s Box Any adult coaching in the first or third base coach s box shall wear a helmet. The helmet may be: Tradition hard shell with a visor and no ear flaps. Single ear flap. Double ear flap. No plastic hat liners or inserts may be worn within a cloth hat to meet this requirement. All baseball officials are required to enforce this policy and shall not start ANY inning until ALL coaches on the field are in compliance with this NJSIAA safety policy The NJSIAA is highly recommending that all Middle Schools adopt this safety policy for coaches. Chrome Helmets Batting helmets that have mirror like finish are prohibited by rule. Officials shall not allow any chrome or colored helmets with a mirror like finish to be used in NJSIAA baseball games. Sunglasses High School baseball is an extra-curricular activity and an extension of the classroom. There is no allowance for styling that may be appropriate for other levels of the game. Sunglasses are to be worn as designed by players, coaches and umpires. They are not be worn on the bill of the cap or dangled below the face. Umpires choosing to wear sunglasses shall select a conservative style and not draw attention. If observed, the violator shall be directed to wear the sunglasses appropriately. Failure to comply shall be reported to the Head Coach for corrective action. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 4 of 10

5 Eye Black Only one Straight Line or Strip of Eye Black is permitted under each eye. If the strip has the maker's name displayed when applied, it is legal. High School baseball is an extension of the classroom and a valuable learning experience in good sportsmanship. Wearing eye black in War Paint style is a form of intimidation and not to be allowed. If observed during a game, the official: Shall stop the contest and inform the Head Coach of the violation. Player shall immediately remove the eye black and wear appropriately. There is no penalty if the violation can be addressed without undue delay. If removal causes an undue delay, the Head Coach shall announce a substitute and the game resumes. If a starter, player retains re-entry eligibility. If a substitute, he no longer is eligible to re-enter the game. Bench / Dugout Area The primary responsibility of officials, athletic directors and coaches is safety of participants. This includes adult coaches as well as student-athletes. NFHS rules require players and coaches to be within the confines of the bench/dugout area while the ball is live. It is recommended that the bench/dugout area be protected by a fence. No one shall be permitted to stand in the open area that serves as an entrance to the bench/dugout area. If the bench/dugout area is not protected by a fence, coaches may utilize a temporary protective device, i.e., a batting practice screen, to sit behind. The bench/dugout area may only be extended away from home plate; not toward home plate. Coaches may not create a dead ball area and sit in front of the bench/dugout area s protective fence even if protected by the backstop fencing. Full compliance is expected from all umpires. If a coach gives you an argument about this policy, tell him you are following NJSIAA policy. NJSIAA will monitor enforcement of this policy. If observed and reported to the Chapter: The chapter shall issue a written warning to officials involved on a first offense. On a second offense, the Chapter Secretary shall forward a written report to the NJSIAA detailing both offenses and develop a corrective action plan that at a minimum contains an educational component for all chapter officials. A third offense shall mandate the baseball assigning committee consider this in assigning State Tournament games. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 5 of 10

6 NFHS/NJSIAA BASEBALL PITCHING LIMITATION RULE National Federation Baseball Rules mandatory provision to have each state adopt a pitching limitation rule. The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee, at its annual meeting in June of 2016, recommended that each state association shall have a pitching restriction policy based on the number of pitches thrown to afford pitchers a required rest period between pitching appearances. NFHS approved the recommendation and amended the baseball rule to read: ART Each state association shall have a pitching restriction policy based on the number of pitches thrown to afford pitchers a required rest period between pitching appearances. Rationale: After years of research and thoughtful discussion on minimizing risk for the position of pitcher, it has been determined that modifying the pitching restriction rule to reflect that the policy should be based on the number of pitches thrown is a better indication of overuse and repetition than the current method of innings pitched during a contest. NJSIAA convened a Pitch Count Committee in the Fall of 2016 to determine pitch count limits and mechanics of operation. The Committee was comprised of Athletic Directors, Baseball Coaches and officials. Larry White, NJSIAA Assistant Director chaired the committee. The committee was concerned with the potential for overuse of pitchers; particularly with the amount of travel ball and other organized baseball programs for which NJSIAA cannot govern. The committee examined models that had already been approved by states. Some of the warmer climates had larger pitch counts; some states in the Northeast and Northern Tier of the United States had smaller pitch counts. The New Jersey model is closer to those of states in the Northeast region. The NJSIAA Pitch Count standards were revised at a February 7, 2018 meeting of the Pitch Count Committee. At the end of the 2018 baseball season, the NJSIAA baseball rules committee will meet and discuss this year s pitch count season. We will discuss and make suggestions where needed, corrections and/or keep as is. The NJSIAA pitch count document is on the website, under the heading, baseball. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 6 of 10

7 2018 NJSIAA BASEBALL PITCH COUNT RULE The Head Coach must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the pitching limit below. A pitcher may remain or re-enter the game at another position per substitution rule. Maximum of 110 pitches per game; NJSIAA Baseball. A. If a pitcher pitches in a day, four calendar days of rest is required. B. If a pitcher pitches pitches in a day, three calendar days of rest is required. C. If a pitcher pitches pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest is required. D. If a pitcher pitches pitches in a day, one calendar days of rest is required. E. If a pitcher pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required. F. A pitcher cannot pitch on 3 consecutive calendar days. G. A pitcher cannot exceed 150 pitches in a five-day calendar period. If a pitcher reaches a pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until one of the following occurs. 1. The batter reaches base, or 2. That batter is retired, or 3. The third out is recorded to complete that half-inning or game. A player may be used as a pitcher in more than one game per day. The combined number of pitches per day will determine the amount of rest required. In a NJSIAA State Tournament game suspended by darkness, weather or other cause resumed the next day, the pitcher of record may continue to pitch to the extent of his eligibility provided he has pitched less than 50 pitches. 1. If the pitcher has thrown 50 or less pitches before the game was suspended, that pitcher s count shall carry over to the next day and pitcher may pitch until the maximum of 110 pitches in a game is reached. 2. If the pitcher has thrown more than 50 pitches before the game was suspended, that pitcher shall be required to meet the rest period as per pitch count limits above. Failure to remove a pitcher when he has reached the maximum number of pitches thrown is the basis for protest by the opposing coach. If the protest is upheld, the penalty shall be forfeiture of the game. It is the coach s responsibility to know the pitch count. The use of a pitcher not observing the required rest period, is the basis for protest by the opposing coach. If the protest is upheld, the penalty shall be forfeiture of the game. Before every game, both Head Coaches shall exchange their pitching logs as part of the pregame conference with umpires. This shall include names, numbers and pitches thrown by each pitcher. In addition, the name(s) and number(s) of all ineligible pitchers for that game shall be identified on each team s lineup card. Umpires are reminded they are not to suspend or terminate any game for pitch count rule violation. Schools are responsible for reporting use of ineligible pitchers to the NJSIAA. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 7 of 10

8 NJSIAA Pitch Count Enforcement and Recording The Home School shall provide an Official Adult Pitch Counter and this person shall count pitches for both schools. This count is official. Preferably, the Official Pitch Counter shall be seated in an area near the backstop and equally accessible to both teams. Pitch counts must be verified with representatives of both teams after each half-inning. If there is a discrepancy between the Official Pitch Counter and one or both team s representatives, the following process shall be followed: 1. If both teams agree on a pitch number, that number shall be recorded in place of the Official Pitch Counter. 2. If both teams disagree on a pitch number, the Official Pitch Counter s number shall be recorded. 3. In the event an Official Adult Pitch Counter does not show or must leave because of illness or other emergency, both coaches must confer after each inning to confirm the pitch count(s). In the event of discrepancy, the Home Team count shall be official. Home schools must provide an Official Adult Pitch Counter for NJSIAA tournament games up to and including the Sectional Final. Official Adult Pitch Counter shall not be part of the coaching staff and dressed in apparel that is considered neutral during the state tournament. NJSIAA will provide Official Adult Pitch Counter at all neutral site games (State Semi-Final & State Group Final games). Once the umpires leave the confines of the field, the pitch counts are final. The Home Coach shall report the Home and Visitor pitch counts on the njschoolsports.com website within 24 hours of the game s conclusion. Official Adult Pitch Counter shall inform both coaches and the Plate Umpire when a pitcher reaches the 110-pitch count threshold. The Plate Umpire shall momentarily stop the game and resume immediately when he is certain both coaches are notified. In the event this is not done, there is no basis for protest. Coaches are responsible for their pitcher s pitch count at all times. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 8 of 10

9 PLAY RULINGS Play 1: A replacement for F1 is announced to the umpire-in-chief. Prior to or immediately after the newly announced S1 has completed his authorized warm-up throws, the Head Coach informs the umpire-in-chief that S1 cannot pitch as he has not met the required period of rest. Play Ruling: The umpire-in-chief is to allow the Head Coach to remove the announced relief pitcher without requiring S1 to pitch to one batter or retire the side as stated in the NFHS Baseball rule book. The Head Coach and S1 are ejected from the game. The new substitute, S-2, will be given his full warm-up throws prior to pitching. F1 may not return to the pitching position until S-2 has completed pitching to one batter or retired the side. If S2 requires more than 8 warm-up throws, F1 may not return as a pitcher but may play other positions. Play 2: A team is scheduled to play two games on the same day. The Head Coach allows the same pitcher to pitch in both games. In game one he throws 47 pitches. In game two he throws 21 pitches. How many days rest is he required to observe before he can pitch again? Play Ruling: The Head Coach shall add the totals of games 1 and 2 together to reach a total of 68 pitches thrown on that day. Two calendar days of rest is required before the Head Coach may use him to pitch in a game. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Pitch Count Rule: Q. After six innings of play, both teams and the official pitch counter are in agreement. As the third batter in the top of the 7 th inning enters the batter s box, offensive coach claims that the pitcher has reached 110 pitches and must leave the game. Defensive Coach and official pitch counter state that he has thrown 109 pitches and can pitch to that batter. A. The procedure is clearly defined in the pitch count document. The Official Adult Pitch Counter shall inform both Head Coaches and the Plate Umpire when the 110 Pitch threshold is reached. If there is disagreement, the umpires shall allow a short discussion with the Official Adult Pitch Counter. The game is to be resumed quickly, and prolonged discussion is not to be allowed by umpires. Q. Pitcher #17 has thrown 69 pitches when a new batter enters the batter s box. He throws 7 additional pitches to retire that batter. How is this recorded on the pitching log? A. Coach shall enter 76 pitches on the pitching log. #17 is required to observe three days of rest before pitching again. The 76 pitches are important as all pitches thrown are used to calculate the maximum of 150 pitches in a five-day calendar period. The threshold amount applies only to the pitcher reaching the maximum of 110 pitches in a game/day. Revised 3/1/2018 Page 9 of 10

10 Q. Pitcher throws 72 pitches on Monday. He rests on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, meeting his mandatory rest requirement. If he throws 21 pitches on Friday, what is the maximum number of pitches that pitcher can throw on Saturday? A. The five-day calendar period begins on Monday when he threw 72 pitches. Since Saturday is the 6 th day, he may throw up to 110 pitches, the maximum threshold. Q. Where will coaches go to log the pitch count information on a daily basis? A. Coaches will go to the same site as they normally do for recording game statistics, which is, njschoolsports.com. The technical staff there will have a dashboard area where pitch count information for starting and relief pitchers will be accessible, viewable and downloadable for exchanging at the next game home plate meeting. Q. How will varsity coaches know and keep track of sub-varsity pitchers and their pitch counts? A. NJSIAA will have a downloadable word form that sub-varsity coaches will be able to print out, fill out as to name, uniform number, the number of pitches thrown, date, opponent, and the form will have a 7-10-day period of time. This form will be exchanged at the home plate meeting prior to every game and a copy of this form shall be given to the varsity coach on a game by game basis. Q. Will sub-varsity pitchers be held to the same pitch count protocols as the varsity pitchers? A. Yes; a sub-varsity pitcher shall be held to the same limits and thresholds as the varsity pitchers, i.e., over any five (5) calendar day period, a pitcher may not exceed 150 total pitches. Q. Must a school pay for the Official Adult Pitch Counter? A. No. However, this does not preclude any school from doing so. In conclusion, as written in the opening of this Q and A, the NFHS mandated that all states must have a pitching restriction policy based on the number of pitches thrown to afford pitchers a required rest period between pitching appearances. This is a safety feature for the young men and women who play the game of high school baseball. NJSIAA hopes that no student athlete s well-being will ever be compromised for wins and losses. Revised 3/1/ Page 10 of