2006 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes

BALL EXIT SPEED RATIO (BESR) BAT MARKINGS (1-3-2)  The BESR certification mark shall be either silk-screened in the design of the bat or other permanent markings.  Effective January 1, 2006 no BESR label, sticker or decal will be permitted on any non-wood bat.

PITCHER’S ILLEGAL GLOVE/MITT (1-3-6)  The glove/mitt worn by the pitcher that includes the colors white or gray is an illegal act and should be replaced. (6-2-1h)  That includes manufacturers’ logos/trademark and/or product reference.  The glove worn by the pitcher that has long flowing laces is illegal if the umpire believes the laces are distracting regardless of color.

PITCHER’S ILLEGAL GLOVE/MITT (1-3-6) Cont.  The pitcher’s glove/mitt absent of the colors white or gray that is distracting should be replaced. (1-4-2,6-2-1f)  Upon detection of the distracting glove/mitt, the umpire will request that the pitcher replace the offending glove/mitt.

ILLEGAL GLOVE/MITT Cont.  The fielder’s glove/mitt is not held to the same standard as the pitcher’s glove and can be multi-colored.  If the ball is touched with an illegal glove/mitt and is discovered by the umpire, the coach or captain of the team at bat has the choice of taking the result of the play or having the award (8-3-3a,b,c) applied.

ILLEGAL GLOVE/MITT Cont.  The illegal glove/mitt shall be replaced immediately.  A foul fly caught with an illegal glove/mitt shall be nullified and treated as a foul ball, unless the team at bat elects to take the result of the play.

PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT/FACE MASK/GUARDS (1-5-5)  Any defensive player is permitted to wear face/head protection in the field as long as the outer covering has a non-glare surface.  There are no NOCSAE standards for face/head protection equipment for defensive players other than the catcher’s equipment.

HEAD COACHES REQUIREMENT (2-10-2)  The two head coaches and team captains (if available) shall be a part of the pregame conference with the game officials.  If the head coach is ill or unavailable, then the assistant coach would assume the role of the head coach.

INADVERTENT FOUL BALL (2-16-1e)  If the umpire erroneously declares a batted or fly ball foul and it touches the ground, it results in a dead ball.  This eliminates the situation where the umpire would speculate on the result of a particular play if a previously declared foul ball becomes fair.  Umpires should pay particular attention to the timing of their foul ball calls and not announce “Foul Ball!” prematurely.

ILLEGAL PLAYER- SUBSTITUTION (3-1-1)  For discovery of an illegal player on offense by an umpire or either team, that player shall be called out and restricted to the bench/dugout for the duration of the game.  An illegal player discovered on defense shall be restricted to the bench/dugout for the duration of the game.

ILLEGAL PLAYER- SUBSTITUTION (3-1-1) Cont.  A previously restricted player re-enters the game on offense, he shall be called out immediately and ejected upon discovery by an umpire or either team.  If a previously restricted player re-enters the game on defense, he shall be ejected upon discovery by an umpire or either team.

BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT (3-3-1a)  A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not leave the dugout/bench area for an unauthorized purpose.  That includes but not limited to; teammates’ celebration, physical altercations, or purposes for coaching a base runner.

BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT (3-3-1a) Cont.  The non-adult batboy can retrieve equipment and the on deck batter can advise the base runner without penalty.  The pitcher and catcher can walk to the bullpen to warm up without being in violation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A DEAD BALL (5-1-1h) AND DEAD BALL TABLE (5-1-1h)  If the umpire erroneously declares a fair batted or fly ball foul and it touches the ground, it results in a dead ball.  This eliminates the situation where the umpire would speculate on the result of a particular play if a previously foul ball becomes fair.

RUNNER OBSTRUCTED WHILE ADVANCING OR RETURNING TO A BASE (8-3-2)  If the runner achieves the base he was attempting to acquire, then the obstruction is ignored.  The umpire will give the delayed dead ball signal and call “Obstruction!”  The umpire has to be careful when rendering the delayed dead ball signal, that he does not make the ball dead until time is called to make the award.

RUNNER OBSTRUCTED WHILE ADVANCING OR RETURNING TO A BASE (8-3-2) Cont.  There could be other runners affected if he prematurely makes the ball dead.  Obstruction shall be determined based on the judgment of the umpire if the base runner could have acquired the base. A minimum of one base will be awarded.

ONE BASE AWARD PROCEDURE (8-3-3f)  The result is the same if a pitched or thrown ball lodges in the umpire’s, catcher’s and offensive player’s equipment or uniform. The ball becomes immediately dead (5-1-1g4).

ONE BASE AWARD PROCEDURE (8-3-3f) CONT.  One base awarded beyond last legally acquired base, if in the umpire’s judgment the runner was attempting to advance at the time the ball becomes lodged in an offensive player’s uniform or equipment.  If the lodged ball occurs during play when the batter-runner was attempting to reach first base, the batter-runner will be awarded first base.

ONE BASE AWARD PROCEDURE (8-3-3f) Cont.  Preceding runners will be awarded bases needed to complete the award.  Runners who are not forced due the batter-runner’s award, if attempting to advance will be awarded one base. If they are not attempting to advance, they should return to the base occupied when the ball became dead.

2006 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - FACE PROTECTION  Batted ball injuries are rare.  The NFHS Baseball Rules committee wants to emphasize that the opportunity for head and/or face protection is available by rule.  Either an offensive or defensive player may wear face protection.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - FACE PROTECTION Cont.  If a pitcher or defensive player elects to wear a mask or helmet/ mask combination, it shall have a non-glare surface.  If the batter chooses to wear a face mask/guard that is attached to the batting helmet, it shall meet the NOCSAE standard.  There is no NOCSAE standard for head/face protection for any defensive player except the catcher.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – NON-ADULT BAT/BALL SHAGGERS  Non-adult bat/ball shaggers and pitcher/catcher protectors should wear a batting helmet that fits and meets the NOCSAE standard.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – MALICIOUS CONTACT VS. INCIDENTAL CONTACT  Players risk serious injury anytime they purposely try to run through or over another player.  The majority of intentional collisions occur at home plate when the catcher is attempting to make a play.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – MALICIOUS CONTACT VS. INCIDENTAL CONTACT Cont.  Runners should be taught to slide properly or attempt to avoid making contact with any defensive player.  Malicious contact is penalized whether committed by an offensive or defensive player.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – MALICIOUS CONTACT VS. INCIDENTAL CONTACT Cont.  Contact or a collision is considered to be malicious if (1) the contact is the result of intentional excessive force, and/or (2) there is intent to injure.  The absence of these two conditions does not preclude the presence of malicious contact but would provide a starting point for proper interpretation.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – FORCE PLAY SLIDE RULE  Simply stated, the runner never has to slide.  On a force play when he does slide, it must be legal and in a direct line between the two bases.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS – FORCE PLAY SLIDE RULE Cont.  A runner may slide or run in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the fielder making a play.  The force play slide rule is in effect at second, third and home plate.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GAME MANAGEMENT  All lines should be placed on the playing field to differentiate fair-ball territory and proper boundaries.  Special emphasis should be placed on measuring and maintaining the correct height of the pitcher’s mound, which is 10 inches.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GAME MANAGEMENT Cont.  Repair holes around the pitcher’s plate and in the area he steps with his non-pivot foot.  The on-deck circle should be to the side and away from home plate at least 37 feet if space is allowed.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GAME MANAGEMENT Cont.  If the field does not allow for a safe on- deck circle placement, common sense should prevail and a secondary location (not the opponent’s on-deck circle) should be identified and utilized.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - UMPIRE’S PROFESSIONALISM  Enforce only the rules that have been written and interpreted by the NFHS.  Do not create new rules, or use selective enforcement or apply another rules’ code rules.  Umpire’s have the responsibility to enforce the rules in a consistent manner and provide a level playing for the participants.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR  The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee feels so strongly about the sportsmanship of players and coaches that they want to emphasize the need for collaboration between both groups for the good of the students/players.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR Cont.  Game officials and coaches are encouraged to work together. Each contest is an excellent opportunity for both to teach skills and model good sporting behavior.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS - GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR  The practice of intimidation before, during or after the game is not acceptable. The positive values that are realized will serve the student/players long after their high school baseball experience has concluded.