Touching All Bases. NCOA Softball 2016 Newsletter Vol 4, Issue 5 Mar. 18, Group Leadership Corner. Let s Play Ball!! Welcome Softball Umpires!

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1 NCOA Softball 2016 Newsletter Vol 4, Issue 5 Mar. 18, 2016 Touching All Bases Let s Play Ball!! Welcome Softball Umpires! The 2016 softball season is in full swing and so is El Nino. I personally have had 7 rain outs so far this season! Back by popular demand, starting with this issue of the newsletter is the Play of the Week. This segment comes from Vincent Rosse, the CIF State Rules Interpreter. Vince shares these game situation with all high school softball associations throughout the state. We can all learn from these situation, as quirky as some may sound, so when it happens to us and you know it will, make informed decisions and the proper ruling Elections will take place shortly as described in the article included in this issue. This is an opportunity to vote for the candidate of your choice for the open positions in the NCOA Softball Group. At the bottom of the article is a statement by candidates sharing their vision, experience, and personal information. Let s continue to reference the rules manual throughout the season, work hard for the coaches, players and our partners, and most of all, have fun! Group Leadership Corner We are finally getting to work a few games with a window of sun. Thanks to all of you for being patient and for bringing your A game to the fields. There is much going on the field and off. Please make sure you get to your games early for a good pregame with your partner. We need to get the communication between our partners so we combine the newly polished individual skills and mechanics with your partner so we are invisible out there. Use your people skills with the coaches and players. Don t use too many people skills with the fans (too many comments about umpires involved with the fans that gets us in trouble! It just looks bad, too.). We will be having observers out to look at those on the bubble between ranking areas and to get knowledge about those we do not know well. Remember to contact Frank to get an observer scheduled if you are interested in getting more feedback. Have a great season.

2 Ombudsman Existing - Vacant Nominations for 1 position (18) Phil Perkins Rating Committee Existing members Chair, Frank Moreno (17); Pete Dufour (18); John Williams (18) Nominations for 1 elected position (19) Rudy Aguillio Gary Butler Don Heyde Mike Machovec Richard Reynolds 2016 Elections We are pleased to announce the nominations for the open positions for the NCOA Softball Group. Below is a list of existing leaders and the nominations for each of the open positions. (Dates indicate last season of service. New season begins following CIF Playoffs.) The nominations were made by NCOA members including self-nominations. As we have done in the past election, an anonymous SurveyMonkey survey will be sent to you by and you can submit it online. SurveyMonkey tallies the votes and we will have several others verify the results. Below the listings are statements provided by the nominees (if they chose to submit) regarding their background. Co-Group Leaders Existing Carl Clark (17) Frank Moreno (16) Nominations for 1 position (19) Frank Moreno NCOA Board Representative Existing Bob Senchy (17) Per the Policies and Procedures - 3 voting positions will be appointed to the Rating Committee by the Group Leaders following the election. Statements Rudy Aguillio This season will be a great opportunity for us to improve our rating process and effort. Communication will be the bedrock to develop not only our mechanics and rule book knowledge, but also to develop relationships within our group. In performing reviews of our performances, we need to listen and ask questions along with putting forth our own observations. I believe this will set the tone for development and positive movement. I have been officiating softball since 2000, starting with slow pitch. I then caught the fp bug in 2007 and have been on the instructional committee for the past 3 years. By day, I am a mild-mannered project analyst while I am not officiating or monitoring my 18 and 21 year old daughters. I am hopeful for the opportunity to work with and learn from all of you.

3 Don Heyde Started umpiring in 2004 in Orange County, Southern California. One year of College in CIF Div 1 final Considered elite ASA umpire in 2012 Moved to Lincoln, Ca. Dec nd season with NCOA, joining training committee Mentored by John Bennett and Chris Drumm Retired Fire Fighter Short Rules Quiz 1. When a base has been dislodged from its proper position, runners must still touch or follow the base out of position. 2. To utilize a courtesy runner in the top of the first inning, the pitcher and catcher are identified as those players listed in the lineup as playing those positions; both must occupy those positions in the bottom of the first inning until the first batter has completed her turn at bat. 3. The ball is live and a runner may attempt to advance if she is hit by a fair batted ball that has been touched by a fielder. 4. An obstructed runner is always awarded one base beyond the base where the runner was obstructed. 5. A runner is out for interference if she intentionally contacts a fielder attempting to make the initial play on a fair batted ball. 6. The batter-runner shall be declared out when she hits an infield fly, when the infieldfly rule is in effect, even if it is not initially called by the umpire. 7. A pitched ball that contacts the batter in the strike zone is a dead-ball strike. 8. When an improper batter is discovered in the batter's box and at bat, she is immediately called out. 9. The batter shall be declared out when she enters the batter s box with an illegal bat, or is discovered having used an illegal bat and the infraction is detected before the next pitch. 10. The batter is out for interfering with the catcher s attempt to play on a runner coming home, regardless of the number of outs. (Answers at the end of this issue) Each newsletter issue will have a short rules quiz. This is for your use and is not required to be taken and submitted. Per your request, answers are included in the same issue! All questions are True/False. Plays of the Week Situation #1: R1 is on 3rd base with one out. As the pitcher delivers the pitch, she hits her leg and the ball slips from her hand and starts rolling toward the plate. R1 sees the ball on the ground and breaks for home. The pitcher, seeing R1 heading home, runs to and picks up the ball 10 feet in front of home plate and tosses the ball to the catcher, who tags R1 before she touches the plate. What s your call(s)? (Answer(s) at the end of this newsletter)

4 Situation #2: R1 is on 1st base with one out and B3 is at bat with a 2-1 count. B3 hits a sharp ground ball that is deflected by F3. F4 is moving in to field the deflected ball and R1 runs into F4. What s your call(s)? (Answer(s) at the end of this newsletter.) Situation #3: With R1 on second, B2's batted ball is deflected by (a) F1; or (b) F5. In both cases the ball goes directly to F6 who makes an attempt to field the ball and make a play. R1 makes contact with F6 preventing her from making the play. What s your call(s)? (Answer(s) at the end of this newsletter.) Discuss the answer(s) with your next partner, significant other, and yourself. Should you have additional questions or clarification, please contact Neil Hillel at ncoaump16@gmail.com. An article on plate timing taken from Referee Magazine and provided to us by our assignor, Dave Maudsley. You can access the article here at /Library/files/Softball/Plate%20Timing.pdf or by clicking the link on the Softball page within the Central Hub on Arbiter. Condensed version of the non-approved bat list. This version is designed to fit in your line-up card holder. There are 2 sizes use the one that fits your holder. This list was put together by Bob Senchy. This list can be accessed at /Library/files/Softball/Condensed%20bat%20lis t%20jan pdf or by clicking the link on the Softball page within the Central Hub on Arbiter. Important Information Policy and Procedure Revisions - As we included at the General Meeting and in subsequent Newsletters, there were several small revisions needed in the P and Ps. The proposed changes were posted on the Website for your review in late February. There were no changes recommended. The ratification of these changes will take place as a part of the Election Ballots that will be sent to you through SurveyMonkey. See Election information in another article in this Newsletter. CIF Bylaw 2502 (Softball) Protective Helmet It is required that adult base coaches wear a protective helmet. Play will not continue until compliance with this rule is met. It is recommended that the helmet meet NOCSAE standards. Note: NFHS rules govern use of protective equipment by a player/student.

5 10-run Rule and the 2 Hour Time Limit There is confusion each and every year pertaining to the 10 run rule and the 2 hour time limit. Hopefully, this will clarify the policy we need to adhere to. From CIF: Sections are authorized to limit junior varsity softball games to seven innings or a maximum of two hours (no new inning shall begin after two hours have expired from the start of the game), whichever occurs first Sac-Joaquin Section adoption of National Federation Rule 4-2-3: A game may end any time after five innings, when a team is behind by a specified number of runs (10) and has completed its turn at bat The Sac-Joaquin Section adopted a seven-inning limit or maximum of two hours for frosh-soph or JV softball game and the 10-run mercy rule in varsity softball. In non-varsity games, no inning shall start after the two-hour limit. Summary: o All Varsity games may end after 5 innings or when a team is behind by 10 runs (or more) and has completed its turn at bat. o All Junior Varsity (JV) games may end after 7 innings or a maximum of 2 hours (no new inning shall begin after two hours have expired from the start of the game), whichever comes first. o THERE IS NO 10 RUN RULE FOR JV SOFTBALL. Other News Uniform: Buy the right uniform for softball. It is different from baseball. The official uniform for NCOA Softball is: Powder Blue (no logos) or Navy Shirt (color must match) (short or long sleeves); Heather Gray Slacks; Plain Navy Jacket (No stripes or piping); NCOA Hat; Heather Gray or Navy Ball Bag. For uniform and equipment needs you can contact Bernard Walker at (916) or him at bmwump@yahoo.com. We are continuing a Used Equipment Collection for exchange to help newer umpires get started. If you have equipment you are changing out, please join the program! We were able to help equip 4 umpires this past season. See the CIF Softball rules at Library/files/Softball/bylaw25- softball% pdf

6 John Silva Memorial Scholarship Fund A John Silva Memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up as an option for those interested to support John s grandchildren in their future educational endeavors. John s sports officiating brothers and sisters heard many stories about his family from a proud husband, father and grandpa. In this spirit, we hope to help continue the memory of our friend and officiating partner for his family s benefit. The Fund has been set up through the Greater Sacramento Softball Association. Donations should be to: GSSA; Attn: Silva Memorial Scholarship Fund; 6380 Tupelo, Drive, Suite 3; Citrus Heights, CA Any questions should be routed to Carl Clark, GSSA Co-assignor and NCOA Softball Co- Group Leader at (530) or faircrc@yahoo.com. GSSA is a 501(c) (3) organization. Donations may be tax deductible. Contact your tax professional for specific advice. Answers to rules quiz: 1. ANS: F REF: ANS: F REF: ANS: T REF: 8-4-1f; ANS: F REF: 8-4-3B penalty C 5. ANS: T REF: a; ANS: T REF: penalty 2 7. ANS: T REF: 7-2-1g 8. ANS: F REF: ANS: T REF: ANS: T REF: penalty

7 Answers to Play of the Week As many of you already know, these Plays of the Week usually have a twist, so we will take a moment and think of all the possibilities. These are no different. Situation #1: One question that hopefully came forward to everyone is whether the ball has stopped or is still rolling toward home plate with the batter having an opportunity to hit the ball. 1) If the ball has stopped rolling 10 feet in front of the plate, the batter does not have an opportunity to hit the ball and any fielder could pick up the ball and toss it to the catcher for a play on R1. In this case it was the pitcher. The tag is legal and R1 is out. Additionally, this is considered a pitch, so a ball is awarded to the batter s count ) If the ball is still rolling and F1 prevents the batter from having the opportunity to hit the ball, you have obstruction. This is true no matter which defensive player obstructs the batter, including the catcher. Since the batter didn t hit the ball, you would enforce the penalty, which is awarding the batter 1st and returning R1 to 3rd d. For the veterans who called it an illegal pitch, that what we called it years ago (2003). Since it wasn t deliberate, it s no longer an illegal pitch. Situation #2: We were all in the same neighborhood with answers on this play. The decision given by many was either interference, obstruction or nothing. One of those three is correct. 1) In NFHS, this play has to either be interference or obstruction. We can t let it go by as nothing. A play occurred and a decision needs to be made by the umpire(s). 2) The responsible umpire for making the call is the base umpire. Now, was it interference or obstruction? The pivotal point for this answer is which player deflected the ball. Since it was F3 that deflected the ball, F3 is considered to have the opportunity to make the initial play on the ball. F4 is not in possession of the ball nor is she considered to be making the initial play when R1 runs into her, therefore she has hindered R1 and the umpire should rule obstruction. It is a delayed-dead ball and R1 is protected in this case between 1st and 2nd. Once a play is made on R1 before she is safe at either base, a dead ball is called and the obstructed runner and each runner affected by the obstruction will be awarded the base or bases which would have been reached in the umpire s judgment. If R1 arrives safely at 2nd, the base the umpire is protecting her to, then there is no longer any obstruction. Be careful not to stop the play too soon because only R1 has been obstructed. B1 is liable to be put out and if R1 tries to advance further than she was protected, she s liable to be put out. References are: , 8 3b and casebook play B

8 Situation #3: In (a), R1 is out for interfering with F6 since the ball was deflected by the pitcher. F6 is still considered to be making the initial play on the batted ball. In (b), since the ball has been touched by a fielder other than the pitcher, R1 has not interfered with F6. If F6 is not in possession of the ball, she has committed obstruction for impeding R1. (2-36; ; b; a).