MEMORANDUM

The following are Rules, Case, Simplified & Illustrated and Rules by Topics Books/Manuals. There are also several items of interest.

NFHS Rules Book Corrections –

1-5-1d page 15 – the change is changing ASA to USA
d. Meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear either the 2000 or 2004 certification mark (Figure 1-6) and not be listed on the USA Softball Non-approved bat List with ASA Certification Marks as found on www.usasoftball.com. If you recall the link use to be

3-2-7c page 32 - The change is adding an “s” to tight….tights.

c. Garments other than team uniforms – such as arm sleeves, leg sleeves, and tights– are permissible. Anything worn on the arm or leg is a sleeve, except a brace, and shall meet the color restrictions.

3-2-15 page 33 – the Penalty needs added. This was omitted for the Rules Book and need to be added

When you arrive at the softball complex, advise the home head coach you are here.

Then mentioned we need all the equipment, you will be using in today’s contest in front of your dugout/bench area 15 minutes prior to the start time.

This is all equipment, nothing in the outfield or bullpen.

Mention any equipment that will not be used must be out of the dugout/bench area at this time.

Any equipment in the dugout/bench area and we as the umpires see it, a team warning will be issued to you as the head coach.

Then go to the visiting head coach and repeat the same statement.

Now here is the penalty -

PENALTY - If you ask the head coach please place all your bats, batting, helmets, catchers equipment OUTSIDE the dugout 15 minutes before the game time so we can inspect them.

If they choose not to do so in a reasonable time; thefirst time they do not comply there is a team warning issued; if you ask again and they do not comply the head coach is restricted.

NFHS Case Book Corrections – None at this time

2017 NFHS Simplified & Illustrated Book (red cover) CORRECTIONS:

  • Page 25 the top picture is correct with the ASA certifications, please be aware there is only one (1) manufacturer that displays both the 2000 and 2004 ASA Certification marks. This just says although ASA has changed their name to USA softball the certifications remain the same, ASA Certification Marks.

•Page 26 Middle PIC verbiage delete “solid surface and shall have a” in 2nd sentence. Should read …. 1-5-2- (c) The taper shall have a solidsurface and shall have a conical shape.

•Page 26 Bottom set of PIC’s verbiage – 1-5-2 (c) delete “solid surface and shall have a” in 1st sentence. Should read …. 1-5-2 (c) The taper shall have a solid surface and shall have aconical shape.

•Page 32 2nd PIC of Catchers Helmet bottom PIC – The illustration of the NOCSAE seal is incorrect, that is for the batting helmet

•This is the correct NOCSAE illustration for the catcher’s mask/helmet

  • Page 108, top picture wording. Rule 6-2-2 A pitcher who licks her finger(s) or uses a powdered resin or any comparable drying agent shall wipe them off before bring them in contact with the ball or it is an illegal pitch.

Delete or uses a powdered resin or any comparable drying agent.

  • Page 123, bottom picture. The caption is about legal/illegal bats, and highlights a "-4". This picture is for baseball (where a "-4 bat" is not approved), and has nothing to do with softball.

2017 Rules by Topic Book (blue cover) -

  • Page 176, the "In simple terms" is incorrect by stating that substitutes cannot return to the game. It should say once they no longer have eligibility remaining.

The paragraph directly above is the correct rule.

2016-2017 Umpires Manual Revision –

  • The Figure 12 diagram in the 2016-2017 Softball Umpires Manual was omitted.

Following is the copy and Figure 12 diagram from page 38 of the Umpires Manual.

Between Inning Mechanics Between Inning Mechanics (Figure 12): The plate umpire shall take a position on the first-base line extended facing the field when that team is coming to bat and the third-base line extended facing the field when that team is coming to bat. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A CORRECTION NOT A NEW MECHANIC.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT SPORTSMANSHIP

Remember if we get assaulted physically or verbally, we should do several things:

  • Report to the school athletic administration -
  • Report it to your assignor -
  • Report to your male PIAA Officials Representative -
  • File charges with magistrate because……….
  • We know “if the consequence is severe enough it modifies behavior!”

USING SOCIAL MEDIA – this is worth repeating as begin preparing for the season, Social Media today has never been more important than it is today than ever before.

Previously an official was pulled from the officiating crew of a game on Monday morning due to a Facebook photo he posted of himself decked out in a hat and sweatshirt supporting one of the teams involved. Social networking sites can be wonderful communications 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:

DObe 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.

DOthink 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.

DOassume 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’Tinclude 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’Tpost 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’Tuse social media to criticize state or local association policies, assigning practices, etc.

DON’Tmake 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 NASO’s policy on the use of social media.

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 anyone 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 email 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

Professionalism and we may be surprised student-athletes and coaches will like it. If you look like an umpire you just may feel like an umpire

Take a fellow WVSSAC 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?

Dri-FIT Head Tie 2 styles

This style has been approved by the NFHS as long as it meets NFHS 3-2-5, they must be white, black, beige or school colors.

The following version is not legal by the NFHS ruling as it is considered a bandanna style.

PIAA POLICY REGARDING THE USE OF EYE SHADE / FACE PAINTING

  • The use of eye shade must be worn as a single, solid stroke under the eye.
  • There shall be no numbers, words, logos, symbols or other detail located in the eye shade.
  • The eye shade shall not extend below the cheek bone and extend no further than the width of the eye socket.
  • Players having eye shade that does not meet the standard are to remove it or comply with the PIAA interpretation before participation in the game.
  • If the players do not comply, the officials may impose unsportsmanlike conduct type penalties as determined by their respective rules code.

WAIT A SECOND- Pitching Pause Among 2017 NFHS Points of Emphasis

It has become common for players to wear wristbands that include play calls, color coded into different sections with many combinations. They have replaced signs for better accuracy and it has become commonplace in the game, but the wristbands have brought some unintended consequences, especially with pitchers.

Quite often a pitcher will look to a coach for the type of pitch to throw, listen for the number, then look to the wristband for the type of pitch. With the pitch in mind, the pitcher at times will then step onto the pitching plate and immediately go into her windup before firing off the pitch. While pitchers will pause to communicate with a coach off of the pitching plate, they don’t often pause once on the pitching plate, and that has become a problem across the country.

To combat that problem, the NFHS has made it a point of emphasis for the 2017 season that umpires enforce the rule that pitchers

take and/or simulate taking a signal while on the pitcher’s plate. Two other points of emphasis include the use of glitter or reflective materials on hair control devices and educating umpires on the key points of the DP/FLEX option.

Taking the signal. When the pitcher does not pause after stepping onto the plate to take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher, it is known as “stepping into the pitch” and is not only illegal but can be dangerous to an unsuspecting batter.

That rule protects the batter. The pause indicates that the pitcher is ready to throw the ball.

There are specific requirements for the placement of the pitcher’s feet in each code, so call an illegal pitch if those rules are violated. In ASA, NCAA and USSSA, the non-pivot foot must remain in contact with the plate. If a right-handed pitcher places

only her right foot on the pitcher’s plate, looks to the catcher for a signal and then moves her left foot forward and contacts the rubber, it is illegal in ASA, NCAA or USSSA, but not in NFHS. ASA, NCAA and USSSA require that the pitcher must take

or simulate taking her signal while both feet are on the rubber. Noncompliance in those codes results in an illegal pitch.

In NFHS, even if the pitcher takes the actual signal behind and not in contact with the pitcher’s plate, she must comply with that section of the rule by simulating taking the signal from the catcher once she is on the pitcher’s plate with her hands still separated. Then the pitcher must bring the hands together in front of the body for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. The hands may be motionless or moving.

Rule 6-1-1 states that the pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher’s plate and the non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate. Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. Once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take more than

one step, which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery.

Any step backward shall beginbefore the hands come together. Thestep backward may end before orafter the hands come together.

NFHS’s pitching rule supportsa wide range of pitching styles byallowing a pitcher to start with bothfeet on the pitcher’s plate, one footon and one foot behind or to stepbackward as a part of their pitchingmotion. The NFHS Softball Rules

NFHS Committee feels the pitching rule, aswritten, allows players the greatestopportunity to pitch at the highschool level.

The plate umpire is generally responsible for watching the pitcher’s hands and if she stays inside the width of the pitching chute. The base umpire(s) is mainly responsible for watching the pitcher’s feet.

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