1. NFHS 2016 RULE CHANGES & POINTS OF EMPHASIS1 6 B A
SEB L N U
MEET I G
NFHS 2016
RULE CHANGES
&
POINTS OF EMPHASIS

2. AGENDA
2016 Rule Changes
Points of Emphasis
Concerns and Future

3. 2016 RULE CHANGES
There were 19 rule change proposals for 2016.
There were only 3 rule changes, and they were mainly clarifications on current rules.
Points of emphasis provide insight to possible future rule changes.

4. RESTRICTION TO BENCH/DUGOUT 3-3-1 Penalty
This is a rule change that is not really much of a rule change.
Websites and social media have made this out to be much more than it is.
The emphasis coming from this rule:
Proper handling of situations (coaches & umpires);
Proper administration of the rule and penalty.

5. BACKGROUND
Baseball is unique in that the game stops for an argument. Ejections are more frequent and more accepted in baseball.
In 2002, coaches asked to have an intermediate step vs. an immediate ejection for minor offenses.
Accordingly, restriction to the bench/dugout for a coach became possible and preferred for a minor offense.

6. BACKGROUND
Today:
Many umpires use non-written warnings:
Hand in a stop gesture;
Glance into dugout;
Verbal conversation that is viewed as a warning.
Problem:
Many coaches do not perceive this “preventative officiating” as a warning;
Some officials rapidly go from a non-written warning to an ejection.
Coaches in many states wanted a definitive warning before an ejection.

7. RESTRICTION TO BENCH/DUGOUT 3-3-1 Penalty
Committee did not want a warning to be mandatory prior to any ejection.
Certain offenses should not carry a warning:
Certain directed profane language;
Certain unsportsmanlike acts;
Physical confrontation.
Rule now requires a written warning with restriction for a minor offense.
Officials may choose not to write a warning, but must do so before an ejection for a minor offense.

8. RESTRICTION TO BENCH/DUGOUT 3-3-1 Penalty
For any minor violation of Rule 3-3-1f, 1-5, (g-k), the offending coach will receive a written warning and will be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. (If the offense is judged to be major, then an ejection shall be made).
After the written warning and restriction, any subsequent minor or major offense by the coach will result in ejection.

9. EJECTION Q
If the umpire deems the offense to be major, such as, “physical contact, spitting, kicking of dirt or any other physical action directed toward an umpire,” the umpire shall immediately eject the coach from the game.

10. REMINDER
Only coaches may be restricted with a warning for a minor offense.
Players may be warned, but there are no rule provisions for a restriction of a player to a bench.
Other than a violation of illegal substitution.
Warnings, for a coach and a player, are to be written and recorded by rule.
Restricted coaches may continue to coach from the dugout, and leave the dugout to attend to an injured player.

11. COMPRESSION SLEEVES 1-4-2
Compression sleeves that are solid black or a solid dark-color shall be the only colors allowed to be worn by the pitcher below his elbow.
“Camo” compression sleeves are no longer legal.
A compression sleeve is not considered to be part of a pitcher’s uniform nor an undershirt sleeve.
A Compression sleeve worn at or above the elbow may be white or gray.
Compression sleeves worn below the elbow must be a solid black or solid dark-color sleeve.

12. COMPRESSION SLEEVES 1-4-2
Compression sleeves do not require a doctor’s permit.
Compression sleeves:
May be worn on either arm, both arms, or just one arm.
If worn at or above elbow, may be a solid dark color or white or gray.
If worn below elbow must be a solid dark color.
Compression sleeves, if worn on both arms, do not have to be of the same length.

13. POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Unsportsmanlike Acts.
Catcher’s Mask and Equipment
Celebrations
Post-Game Conduct

14. UNSPORTSMANLIKE ACTS
The basic premise for education-based athletics is education.
The adult coach and game official work collaboratively to teach, train, oversee, model positive behavior and arbitrate the students under their charge.
As part of these “teachable moments” the game official is responsible to maintain order and control the contest so both teams have a fair opportunity to do their best and perform to their highest level.

15. UNSPORTSMANLIKE ACTS
While not listed in the NFHS Rules book, preventative officiating is practiced by the more successful and experienced umpires.
Verbal and non-verbal tactics are practiced to let a coach know that you are aware and understand his concern and that you are doing your best.
The coach’s behavior and actions greatly dictate the conclusion of a discussion.
Unless the situation calls for such a drastic response, ejections should not be the first reaction.

16. CATCHER’S MASK
The catcher helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard. Any helmet or helmet mask combination shall have full ear protection (dual ear flaps). A throat protector, which is either a part of or attached to the catcher’s mask, is mandatory.
ILLEGAL
LEGAL

17. CATCHER’S MASK
The catcher’s helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard which includes having full ear protection with dual ear flaps.
The skull cap and mask combination does not meet the NOCSAE standard nor does it provide full ear protection with dual ear flaps and is not permitted for high school baseball.

18. CATCHER’S EQUIPMENT
The catcher shall wear a throat protector which is either attached or part of the catcher’s mask. It shall adequately cover the throat.
When a non-adult is in a crouch position and is warming up a pitcher at any location he shall wear face and head protection with throat protection and a protective cup (male only).
Ensuring that the catcher is properly equipped will reduce the risk of serious injury and maximizes his enjoyment of the game.

19. CELEBRATIONS HOME PLATE
More issues are being reported around the country concerning celebrations at home plate.
If the ball is live, they are not legal.
During a home run celebration, team members must remain clear of the plate, allowing the umpire to observe that all runners have legally touched the plate.

20. CELEBRATIONS
Any walk-off game winning base hit or home run generates immediate excitement for the player who hit the ball, his teammates and fans.
Adolescent emotion is at its best when a young person does something successful.
Unfortunately, for the team that just gave up the run or lost the game, their emotion is different and being jubilant is not their first reaction.

21. CELEBRATIONS
It is important to keep that area around home plate clear of bodies (and equipment) so the umpire can do his job correctly.
Hovering around the third base line and home plate is a perfect opportunity for bad sportsmanship actions with taunting and other boorish behavior.
Celebrations will be focused on more diligently because of the number of poor sportsmanship incidents being reported throughout the country.

22. POSTGAME CONDUCT
Incidents of players, coaches, and fans following umpires from the field with abusive and or threatening action is increasing.
Umpires retain jurisdiction and can eject players or coaches until all umpires have left the field.
When all umpires have left the field, umpires cannot issue a post-game ejection. However, if confronted by a coach, player or fan, umpires are expected to report the conduct.

23. PITCHER’S UNIFORMS 1-4-2 The existing rule was not modified:
“For individual players, uniform sleeve lengths may vary. However sleeves of each individual shall be approximately the same length and shall not be ragged, frayed or slit. If the pitcher’s undershirt sleeves are exposed, they shall not be white or gray. A pitcher shall not wear any item on his hands, wrists or arms which may be distracting to the batter.”

24. PITCHER UNIFORMS
Legal
Legal
Legal

25. PITCHER’S UNIFORMS
Legal
Legal
Not Legal

26. VEST TYPE UNIFORMS
The shirt upon which a vest is worn is considered to be part of the uniform and not an exposed undershirt.
When a pitcher wears this shirt with a vest, even if it is white or gray, he is not in violation of
The shirt underneath the vest, if white or gray, cannot extend below the elbow.
The shirt cannot be of a color or design that would be distracting to a batter.
If the team is wearing long-sleeve white shirts under the vest, the pitcher may wear a long-sleeve darker color, not white or gray, or wear a short sleeve white that does not go past the elbow.

27. VEST TYPE UNIFORMS
Legal as is
Not legal if white or gray.

28. VEST TYPE UNIFORMS Legal as is Legal if not deemed to be distracting.
Legal if white
Legal if not deemed to be distracting.
Legal as is
Not legal if white.

29. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Arm Care Concerns
There is an explosion of overuse incidents with high school age pitchers.
Changing pitching limitations to be a form of pitch count will be a topic for the committee in June.
Ball Performance
A lot of work has been done with regard to bat performance.
Not enough is know about ball performance and needed requirements.

30. 2 1 6 B A
SEB L N U
MEET I G
HAVE A GREAT 2016 SEASON