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 blue form for OTHER Chapters. Umpires from the Delco Chapter should use the Secretary’s regular sign-in sheet.

Review of 2008 Changes Head coaches AND CAPTAINS must attend pre-game mtg. (PIAA) Expanded definition of Obstruction Pitcher’s glove: no white or gray Pitcher going to mouth

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Rule Obstruction Definition “The fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve.” What is “access” ? Answer: the runner’s straight line attempt to reach the base.  Rationale: This rule provides positive benefits to both offensive and defensive teams by minimizing risk.

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

“An Illegal Pitch is an illegal act committed by the pitcher…”

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 “…field umpire and UIC shall have concurrent jurisdiction in … calling … illegal pitches.”

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2009 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes B. Elliot Hopkins, CAA NFHS Baseball Rules Editor Kyle McNeely NFHS Baseball Rules Committee Chairman

Proper Field Markings Rule All lines on the playing field shall be marked with a material which is not injurious to the eyes or skin. All non-permanent lines should be white. Permanent lines, such as sewn lines in artificial turf, may be a color other than white. Rationale: Clarification for proper lining instructions for grass and turf fields.

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

Batter may not permit a pitched ball to touch him (Rule 7-3-4) Assumes batter has the ability to avoid being hit. Intentional movement toward the pitch is umpire judgment. Ball is Dead, pitch is called a Ball or Strike. Batter remains at bat unless S3 or B4. The batter is not rewarded for intentionally “taking one for the team.”

Umpires’ Slacks Rule Heather gray slacks are no longer required in the NFHS rule book; “..shall wear gray slacks.” Rule change provides more flexibility in the type of gray slacks worn. Umpires must still dress professionally when on the playing field. PIAA still requires heather gray!

Pitching Intentionally Close to a Batter (Rule 6-2-3) The rule has not changed. Pitcher may not “intentionally throw pitch close to a batter.” The pitcher shall be ejected if the pitch is judged to be intentional. In case of doubt, the umpire may warn the pitcher. Suggestion for change came from a District 1 Rules Interpreter.

Coach is touched by thrown live ball (Rule 3-2-3) Rule was changed to read, “If a thrown live ball unintentionally touches a base coach in foul territory, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is live and in play.” Rationale: The word “accidentally” was changed to “unintentionally.”

NFHS Points of Emphasis (pages 67 – 69)  Team Personnel Location  Pace of Game Play  Coaching Staff Professionalism  Good Sporting Behavior  Pitching Requirements (gorilla stance/motion)

Team Personnel location Coaches should not be on buckets outside the dugout/bench area. It is not recommended to extend the dugouts toward home plate. Players are not permitted to leave the dugout/bench area during live ball. Rationale: Minimize Risk

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

Teammates must stay off the dirt encircling home plate.

Maintaining Pace of Play Long delays in game action detract from what otherwise is an exciting and enjoyable contest. There are specific rules to improve the pace of the game that should be enforced more consistently. Charged conferences should be conducted and administered in a timely manner.

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

Coaching Staff Professionalism Coaches are viewed upon as teachers on the field of play. It is imperative that they model appropriate behavior so the students who play for them emulate positive interaction with opponents and umpires. There is no allowance for disrespect in any athletic contest, especially in education-based athletics.

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.

You guys SUCK!!!

Pitching Requirements Gorilla stance and/or motion: BALK. Pitching hand must be at the side or behind the back. Can’t be hangin’ or danglin’

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders The PIAA is rescinding its ruling last year that the coaches’ affirmations that their players are “properly equipped” served as the official team warning for jewelry violations. Now: First violation results in Team Warning. Subsequent violators on that team are DQ’d d No penalty for coach. IMPORTANT CHANGE

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders Coaches are responsible to ensure all bats and helmets are displayed for inspection no later than 15 minutes before game time. Saves time. Eliminates the need for umpires to rummage through each player’s equipment bag. “Don’t make us ask…”

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders New bat grips are deemed legal: Mattingly grip: rounded V-shape Vendetta rails: octagon shape, and Vector-O: 3 triangular holes, less wind resistance Bats must still display BESR imprint. Legal

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders Lines for running lane should be accurately drawn. At 45’ Not touching the foul line.

Adults not required to have dual earflaps.

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders Arguing checked swings is arguing balls and strikes. Ejection follows warning.

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders Charging an umpire: AUTOMATIC EJECTION 3-3-1k Emphasis per Dr. Lombardi

PIAA Issues/Concerns/Reminders Coach who is ejected must leave the area. “Sight and sound” May not have direct or indirect communication with team. Coach may only return to the field to attend to an injured player, break up a fight, etc. IF THE UMPIRE REQUESTS HIS RETURN. Case Book 3.3.2, pg. 34

Substitutions Rule & Substitution issues continue to crop up annually with misinterpretations by umpires and misunderstandings by coaches. Except for the pitcher (who falls under certain conditions), a substitute may replace a player of his team when the ball is dead and time has been called. There are two types of substitutions, ANNOUNCED and UNANNOUNCED.

No penalty for unannounced sub. if a legal sub.

Pitchers’ Uniforms Interpretation Rule & 6-2-1i The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee was asked to rule on the very popular vest type uniform jersey tops with a T-shirt underneath that is part of the team’s colors. The T-shirt worn underneath the vest is considered to be part of the uniform. For this type of uniform, white or gray T-shirts are permissible as long as it is the color of the team and the sleeves do not extend below the elbow.

ILLEGAL T-shirt extends below elbow.

Medical Sleeves (worn by pitcher) Medical sleeves are legal: They may be worn on either arm, and may be white or gray. They cannot extend below the elbow on the pitching arm and be a color that is distracting.

ILLEGAL Medical sleeve of F1 extends below elbow and is a distracting color.

Medical Sleeves (worn by pitcher) Medical sleeves are legal: They may be worn on either arm if they are white or gray. They cannot extend below the elbow on the pitching arm and be a color that is distracting. If worn on the non-throwing arm, they may be of any length, may be white or gray as long as they are not distracting. What? What? What? Recommendation: pick a color other than white or gray for vest-type jersey uniform T-shirts. At the very least, don’t let your pitcher wear white or gray medical sleeves and avoid the issue.

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. Repeat: Always err on the side of safety.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Thank you and have a great season! Questions at any time may be referred to Tom Ellis at