MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

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1 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS A. Shane Blanton Les Triplett Executive Director Director of Activities Tom Middleton, River Oaks School Academy Athletic Conference President David Drake Associate Director of Technology / Activities Friday, August 1, 2014 To: AD, Softball Coaches, Assigning Secretaries and Umpires From: Les Triplett & Amanda Brewer Re: Specific Info for Softball To be Used for Rules Clinics & Tests Please review the following football reminders for this season: The first playing date was Friday, July 25, Invitational Tournaments: Schools hosting an invitational tournament must make a written request to MAIS. Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke and Concussions: Coaches should be reminded that the heat could present serious problems for players. With temperatures hovering around the 100-degree mark (along with extremely high humidity), coaches must be cognizant of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Please take every precaution during your practices by providing water or any other desired fluids for your players. Since our student-athletes are so accustomed to air conditioning, the possibility of heat exhaustion and heat stroke becomes more of a reality. Remember that it does not hurt nearly as bad to miss a practice session because of the heat and humidity as it does to miss several practices (or even games) because of severe heat problems. Attached you will find a heat-humidity index chart that should help you in determining the really dangerous times of day when the heat and humidity are so high. Important Note: Please carefully read the mail outs (posted on July 21) regarding heat and humidity, concussion guidelines and lightning info. Pre-Game and Post-Game Procedures for Administrators & Officials: The designated administrator should meet the umpires before the game, take them to their dressing area, and give them their checks. This can prevent a delay in their being able to leave promptly after the game. Following the game, officials should be escorted to their vehicle(s) by the proper personnel so as to ensure their safety. Coaches are reminded that the umpires are offlimits when the game ends. 176 Country Place Parkway, Pearl, MS Telephone (601) Fax (601) Website -

2 Specific Info for Softball Page 2 Officials Fees: Online Admission Fees: Online Comments to the News Media: Coaches are reminded that any comments (other than complimentary ones) about the officials or the other team are to be avoided. The AAC strongly opposes any such comments to the news media. There is nothing to be gained by such criticism, and it adversely reflects upon officials and coaches as well as schools. PA Announcers: The announcer on a public address system has a primary responsibility to inform fans and supporters of the host and visiting schools regarding the starting line-ups, participants involved in plays that are occurring on the field, and in general, to be as impartial as possible. It is extremely important that a PA announcer s remarks be conducive to good sportsmanship and in the best interest of the interscholastic athletic program within the MAIS. Schools are responsible for the actions of their PA announcers. 176 COUNTRY PLACE PARKWAY, PEARL, MS TELEPHONE (601) FAX (601) WEBSITE:

3 2014 SOFTBALL RULES CHANGES 1-5-2C New 2-58 New 2-59 New New The taper is the transition area which connects the narrower handle to the wider barrel portion of the bat. The taper shall have a solid surface and shall have a conical shape. Its length and material may vary. The use of electronic devices by team personnel to transmit or record information pertaining to his/her player or team s performance shall be permitted within the team s dugout/bench area only. Information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during the game. TEAM MEMBERS Team members are players listed on the team s roster and lineup as submitted to the umpire at the pregame meeting. TEAM PERSONNEL Team personnel consist of all school representatives located in the team dugout, including but not limited to coaches, managers, certified athletic trainers, and scorekeepers. The use of electronic devices is permitted during a game; however any information obtained shall not be used to review decisions made by the umpires SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES 1-5-2A The bat shall consist of the following components (see Figure 1-7): Knob. The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened. Devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are permitted. The knob may be covered with grip tape. A one-piece rubber knob and bat grip combination is illegal. Choke-up devices are not permitted.

4 Summary NFHS 2014 Softball Rules Changes Page No A violation while in live-ball area shall result in a warning to the coach of the team and the individual. A subsequent violation may result in the individual and coach not being permitted on the field NOTE The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage move to end of paragraph-however, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up her hand to request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live A pitched ball that is entirely within the batter s box strikes the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required. However, the batter may not obviously try to get hit by the pitch. 1. DP/FLEX Education 2. Player Safety 3. Equipment Check/Bats 4. Electronic Devices 2014 Points of Emphasis

5 NFHS Softball Rules Interpretations Softball Rules Interpretations 2014 Publisher s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented. Robert B. Gardner, Publisher, NFHS Publications 2014 PRINTING ERROR, RULES BOOK: 2014 NFHS Softball Rules Changes: 2-29 NEW TEAM PERSONNEL should read 2-59 SITUATION 1: The head coach is warned for using an electronic device outside of the dugout. Later in the game, the trainer is caught using an electronic device outside of the dugout. Who is restricted to the bench? RULING: The coach is responsible for the actions of the team personnel. Both the head coach and the trainer are restricted to the bench/dugout area. (1-8-6; ) SITUATION 2: A school photographer has chosen to shoot pictures from the media area. RULING: The school photographer is considered a part of the media. He/she would be allowed to shoot pictures from the media area. (1-1-7) SITUATION 3: Are electronic devices allowed in the coaches box? RULING: Electronic devices (cell phone, tablet, etc.) are allowed to be in the coaches box if the device is being used for the purpose of keeping score. It may not be used for any other task while in the coaches box. (1-8-6; )

6 Softball Rules Interpretations 2014 Page 2 SITUATION 4: The coach failed to indicate the use of the DP/Flex on the lineup card given during the pregame conference. He indicates to the plate umpire after the second inning that the flex player is being substituted into the game. RULING: The team may not use the DP/Flex option because the coach failed to indicate the desire to use it on the lineup card submitted during the pregame conference. (3-3-6) SITUATION 5: The pitcher is legal when she takes a pitching position with both feet on the pitcher s plate. RULING: The pitcher is allowed to have both feet on the pitcher s plate as described in the rules book. Both feet must on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher s plate. (6-1-1) SITUATION 6: A parent sits in the stands and videotapes the play of the opposing pitcher with the intent of giving it to the coach. RULING: Illegal. The parent may videotape his/her team and give that video to the coach for the purpose of coaching the team. (1-8-6, ) SITUATION 7: An assistant coach is videotaping his/her pitcher while standing 3 feet behind the plate umpire. RULING: Illegal. Team personnel may not have electronic devices outside of the dugout/bench area. (1-8-6; 3-6-6) SITUATION 8: A fielder, while making an initial play on a batted ball, impedes the progress of a runner who is legally running the bases. RULING: Legal. It is the responsibility of the runner to avoid impeding, hindering or confusing a defensive player making the initial play on the batted ball. (2-32) SITUATION 9: While waiting for the ball to be thrown to her, F2 is blocking the plate without the ball. R1 collides with F2 as she slides into home plate. RULING: Illegal. F2 is guilty of impeding R1 s progress to home without possession of the ball. (2-36)

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9 DP/FLEX RULE Basic Utilization Strategies for Coaches The following are basic strategies a coach might utilize to match the skills of the DP and FLEX players to complement one another. 1. Objective: Utilize a fast runner who is a weak hitter (FLEX) to run for the solid hitting DP. a. Matchup: Pair up a solid hitter (DP) with a player of exceptional speed but who is a weak hitter (FLEX). b. Typical sequence: DP hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; DP reenters and hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; sub #1 hits for DP (since the DP already used her one reentry), FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #1 reenters and hits safely; FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #2 hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; and so on. 2. Objective: List a power hitter as the FLEX player when you have a platoon of players who will be the DP s. a. Matchup: Pair up an average player (DP) with a good hitting, but slow runner (FLEX) who also plays defense. b. Typical sequence: As the spot in the batting order comes up, enter the FLEX who hits safely; reenter the DP to run; enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 enters to run (since the DP already used her one re-entry); enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 reenters to run; FLEX hits safely; sub #2 enters to run; and so on. 3. Objective: Create a space in the lineup for relief pitchers who do not hit, while allowing the starting pitcher to also play offense. a. Matchup: Pair up your starting pitcher (DP) with a player you don t intend to play or with the name of your relief pitcher (FLEX). b. Typical sequence: At the pregame meeting, as soon as the lineups are accepted, enter your DP to pitch. You now have nine players who all are playing both offense and defense and the FLEX has left the game. As the game progresses and relief pitching is needed, enter the relief pitcher for the FLEX (or re-enter her if she was listed as the starting FLEX player) and allow the starting pitcher to continue hitting and running in the DP spot in the batting order. Note: Either the DP can run following her hits or FLEX can run the bases. 4. Objective: Create maximum flexibility for a great athlete who will stay in the game as either a pitcher or field player.

10 a. Matchup: List your great athlete as the DP and the starting pitcher as the FLEX player. b. Typical sequence: At the pregame meeting, as soon as the lineups are accepted, enter your DP to play any defensive position other than pitch the FLEX is your pitcher and the player replaced on defense continues to hit. As the game progresses, it appears the great player may be needed to pitch so remove her from the game to warm-up and enter a sub to hit in the DP spot the player who has been hitting only, now returns to play both. When the great player is warmed up, re-enter her to pitch. As the game progresses, if you want to save her arm, re-enter the FLEX player to pitch. 5. Objective: Allow a player to come off the bench and have her play both offense and defense (DP), or as the DP to play offense only (enter FLEX on defense) or as the FLEX to play defense only (enter DP to bat). a. Matchup: Create both the DP and FLEX positions in the lineup to start the game b. Typical sequence: As the game progresses, you can play a substitute on both offense and defense in any spot in the order other than the DP and FLEX, OR you can put a sub in for the DP who only plays offense, OR you can put a sub in for the FLEX who only plays defense.

11 National Federation of State High School Associations NFHS Softball 2014 Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis Take Part. Get Set For Life.

12 National Federation of State High School Associations NFHS Softball 2014 Rules Changes Take Part. Get Set For Life.

13 Taper (1-5-2C) The taper of the bat shall have a solid surface and shall have a conical shape. Its length and material may vary. The taper is the transition area which connects the narrower handle to the wider barrel portion of the bat.

14 Bat Taper 1-5-2c RULE CHANGE LEGAL ILLEGAL LEGAL

15 Electronic Devices (1-8-6 New) The use of electronic devices by team personnel to transmit or record information pertaining to his/her player or team s performance shall be permitted within the team s dugout/ bench area only. Information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during the game.

16 Electronic Devices 1-8-6, RULE CHANGE ILLEGAL LEGAL ILLEGAL

17 Team Members (2-58 New) TEAM MEMBERS - Defined Team members are players listed on the team s roster and lineup as submitted to the umpire at the pregame meeting.

18 RULE CHANGE Team Members 2-58 Team members must be submitted to the plate umpire at the pregame meeting.

19 Team Personnel (2-59 New) TEAM PERSONNEL - Defined Team personnel consist of all school representatives located in the team dugout, including but not limited to coaches, managers, certified athletic trainers and scorekeepers.

20 Team Personnel 2-59 RULE CHANGE LEGAL ILLEGAL

21 Electronic Devices ( New) The use of electronic devices for coaching purposes is permitted during a game; however any information obtained shall not be used to review decisions made by the umpires.

22 Electronic Devices 1-8-6, RULE CHANGE ILLEGAL LEGAL ILLEGAL

23 National Federation of State High School Associations NFHS Softball 2014 Major Editorial Changes Take Part. Get Set For Life.

24 Knob (1-5-2A) Knob. The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened. Devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are permitted. The knob may be covered with grip tape. A one-piece rubber knob and bat grip combination is illegal. Choke-up devices are not permitted.

25 Bat Knob 1-5-2a EDITORIAL CHANGE LEGAL ILLEGAL LEGAL

26 Violation in Live-ball Area (1-6-3) A violation, while in live-ball area, shall result in a warning to the coach of the team and the individual. A subsequent violation may result in the individual and coach not being permitted on the field.

27 Bat-Ball Shaggers 1-6-3; EDITORIAL CHANGE A batting helmet is required for non-adult bat/ball shaggers. The individual and head coach are restricted to the bench after second violation.

28 Note The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.

29 Player Equipment Note EDITORIAL CHANGE Accommodations to participants with disabilities and/or special needs should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.

30 (7-3-1 Effects 1) Paragraph rearranged for clarity However, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up her hand to request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live.

31 Batting Infractions EDITORIAL CHANGE If the pitcher releases the ball and the batter has one foot outside of the batter s box, it is an automatic strike.

32 (7-3-2) A pitched ball that is entirely within the batter s box strikes the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required. However, the batter may not obviously try to get hit by the pitch.

33 Hit By Pitch EDITORIAL CHANGE If the pitched ball is within the batter s box, the batter does not have to avoid being hit.

34 (7-3-2 Penalty) If the batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch which is not entirely in the batter's box or she obviously tried to get hit by the pitch, the ball is dead. The pitch is a ball or strike depending on its location and the batter remains at bat unless it is strike three or ball four.

35 Hit By Pitch Penalty EDITORIAL CHANGE After the batter pulls the bat back (PlayPic A), she cannot obviously try to get hit by the pitch (PlayPic B).

36 Leaving the Base Early ; Penalty The ball is dead, no pitch is declared when applicable and the runner is out. The Penalty was in the book but was in the wrong place. The placement of the penalty has been corrected.

37 Leaving Early , Pen. EDITORIAL CHANGE The penalty has been moved to Arts. 17, 18 for when a base runner fails to keep in contact with a base in slow pitch and fast pitch.

38 National Federation of State High School Associations NFHS Softball 2014 Points of Emphasis Take Part. Get Set For Life.

39 Flex/Designated Player Education The DP/Flex Rule was instituted to encourage further participation and flexibility of the game. The overall impact of this rule has been positive, however there still remains some confusion/challenges with the understanding of the rule. Support Information can be found at Officials NFHS Central Hub under Softball Resources and Video tab. Coaches

40 DP/Flex POINT OF EMPHASIS Resources are available in the NFHS rules book and on NFHS Arbiter Central Hub and NFHS website for an explanation of the option as well as strategies for using it.

41 Player Safety The NFHS Sports Medicine Committee has expressed concern with the number of injuries that are related to Sliding. Injuries to the knees and ankles, along with concussion, occur most often on the bases. The Softball Committee and Sports Medicine Committee are encouraging coaches to take additional time to teach proper sliding techniques to prevent collisions at each base, but especially home plate. On the defensive side of the ball, proper attention needs to be given to appropriate techniques for tagging the runner and defensive positioning on the base paths and home plate.

42 Player Safety k EDITORIAL CHANGE Rule Reference and page number for Appendix B are revised.

43 Player Safety POINT OF EMPHASIS Coaches are encouraged to take extra time to teach players proper sliding techniques. Attention needs to be given to defensive positioning on the base paths.

44 Equipment Check/Bats The NFHS Softball Committee has determined that the head coach is the person most responsible for the safety and well-being of the players on his/her team. Although the committee has recommended that umpires continue to check equipment prior to each game, it is the head coach s responsibility to ensure that his/her players are legally equipped.

45 Equipment Check/Bats Coaches need to know the condition of each helmet and bat in the dugout; and remove those that do not meet the specifications outlined in the Softball Rules Book. The NFHS Softball Committee strongly recommends that state associations look at options available to them for testing bats.

46 Equipment Check/Bats Cracks and other flaws that make bats illegal cannot always be apparent on the umpire checks during pregame. The NCAA and ASA have offered to loan pressure testing machines to test bats during your state tournaments with the underlying theme of player safety.

47 Equipment Check POINT OF EMPHASIS The head coach is responsible for the safety and well-being of the players on his or her team, and is accountable for the condition of each helmet and bat in the dugout/bench area.

48 Electronic Devices The role of technology has expanded significantly in recent years and with it, coaches and players have sought a variety of ways to incorporate that technology into the game of Softball. The NFHS Softball Rules Committee respects and embraces the growth of the game through technology and as an instrument to teach the game.

49 Electronic Devices A new rule (1-8-6) allows for coaches to utilize technology to transmit or record information pertaining to his/her player or team s performance within the team s dugout only. Any information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during the game..

50 Electronic Devices Note that this technology can be used only in the dugout or bench area. The electronic devices are not allowed on the field at any time due to safety considerations and game time restraints.

51 Electronic Devices Further, Rule prohibits the use of any information obtained through the use of electronic devices being used to review decisions made by the game s umpires. Rule allows for coaches to have stopwatches and scorekeeping material/devices in the coaching box.

52 Electronic Devices POINT OF EMPHASIS Information obtained from an electronic device may be used for coaching purposes during a game only in the dugout/bench area.

53 NFHSLearn.com Free Courses A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention A Guide to Sports Nutrition Coaching Unified Sports Concussion in Sports What You Need to Know Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment Engaging Effectively with Parents NCAA Eligibility Coaching Education Pole Vault: Successful Skill Development Sportsmanship The Role of the Parent in Sports World Book: Learning Pro (4)