Welcome Coaches & Umpires Sign-in procedures for interp. mtg. credit: Head coaches should sign-in on coaches’ sheets. Head coaches only. Assistant coaches’ signatures will be annotated as Assistants before submittal, so only Head Coaches should sign. Umpires not from the Delco Chapter should use green form for OTHER Chapters. Umpires from the Delco Chapter should use the Secretary’s regular sign-in sheet.

2008 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes B. Elliot Hopkins, CAA NFHS Baseball Rules Editor

Rule 2-22-3 (Obstruction def.) Art. 3 ...The fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve. Rationale: This rule provides positive benefits to both offensive and defensive teams by minimizing risk.

Editorial: Is this fielder guilty of obstruction?

New PIAA requirement: Team Captains must attend, as well Not permitted

3 Smith DH 11

Fielders’ gloves: color doesn’t matter No white or gray

PIAA shirts MUST BE navy blue. PIAA

Rule 7-3-4 says: “A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him.”

Coaches Professionalism Emphasis on good sporting behavior Proper interaction with officials Attending pregame conference Model ethical and appropriate behavior Controlling their dugout

You guys SUCK!!! 19

Team Personnel location Coaches on buckets outside dugout: not permitted. Illegally extending dugouts (toward home plate) Players leaving dugout during live ball, particularly during plays at the plate.

Dead ball area: OK Live ball area: No-no

Rule 6-2-1e Penalty Clarification (cont.) Pitcher who goes to his mouth, touches the ball without wiping it off and then engages the pitcher’s plate will have a ball added to the count (with runners on base or bases empty). Pitcher who goes to his mouth and then touches the ball without distinctly wiping it off may request a new ball to be legal, provided he has not yet engaged the pitcher’s plate. 10.3.1 “…field umpire and UIC shall have concurrent jurisdiction in … calling … illegal pitches.”

Helmet too loose

Good Sporting Behavior Umpires and coaches need to work together for the benefit of the students they officiate and teach. Game situations provide coaches and officials excellent “teachable moments” to reinforce proper behavior and perspective. The positive values that are learned will serve the students long after their high school careers have ended.

Always err on the side of safety. Coaches are responsible to keep players in a safe place. That includes getting them away from cages. If, while waiting 30 minutes, you see another lightning strike, start your timing over.

PIAA Concerns & Reminders Charging an umpire: automatic ejection Fighting: batter charges pitcher Displaying equipment upon arrival to field Gorilla motion: balk Ejected player supervision PIAA Sportsmanship message: read verbatim Mercy rules: get them right! Force-play slide rule Courtesy runner (for position, not player) Coaching staff uniforms

Thank you and have a great season! Questions at any time may be referred to Tom Ellis at tomellis37@comcast.net