2. Baseball 2019

3. ON-LINE EXAM Opens February 10  Closes February 28
NEW EXAM FORMAT
Section Order of questions 50 questions
1 Baseball Mechanics - all see same 10 questions
2 NJSIAA Regulations - all see same 10 questions
3 NFHS Rule Changes - all see same 5 questions
4 NFHS Points of Emphasis - all see same 5 questions
5 Baseball Rules random questions out of 50 ##
The

4. NJSIAA Baseball Exam Info, (no change)
Passing grade is 80%.
You may take the on-line exam twice.
If you take the on-line test twice the better score is recorded.
If you fail both on-line attempts you may take a 100 question written test.
If you only pass the written exam you may not work any post-season games.
Must score at least an 80% on an ON-LINE exam to work varsity games.
TO ACCESS THE TEST: Log in to ArbiterSports.com, NJSIAA Central Hub, Testing
Important! As soon as you can after the test opens on February 10 to be sure you have full access to the exam!
Open your exam and answer one question then save and exit the exam. ##

5. State Tournament Eligibility, (no change)
Must attend an NJSIAA Regional Meeting.
Must score at least an 86% on NJSIAA ON-LINE Baseball Exam.
The chapter submits a list of highly competent officials to the tournament committee.
Umpires for THREE man games are individually vetted by the committee.
The chapter will identify 2-3 officials not previously listed who should be considered based on abilities.
THREE MAN training provides 3 years of qualification … Training attended in: qualifies umpires through 2019 tournament games qualifies umpires through 2020 tournament games qualifies umpires through 2021 tournament games. ##

6. 2019 RVUA Three-man clinic
Attendance is a requirement for selection to a post season assignment. Anyone is welcome to attend. April 17th at Hunterdon Central HS in Cafe 101. No charge. Expect information soon. ##

7. State Exam Committee Concerns
Large Group Test “Reviews” for providing correct answers.
Suspicious: Umpires seen not opening the test until the final 3 days and spending less than 30 minutes on the test. How do they achieve scores of ?
No problem if 5 or 6 guys print their test questions and then meet and review their tests before submitting.
The committee will take more restrictive action if LARGE SCALE sessions are held where all 80 answers are presented; especially if there is an admission charge, supposedly to cover refreshments. ##

8. NJSIAA Regulations and Policies Review
Jewelry
Social Media
Adult Coach’s head protection in the coaching box.
Suspended games
Extending dugout / bench area
Umpire’s sunglasses.
Eye Black on players
Transgender Policy
Sportsmanship statement
A NEW POLICY:
Lightning Detectors

9. Enforcement of NFHS Jewelry rule (No Change)
Jewelry: Shall not be worn except for religious or medical medals. This includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform.
Medic alerts bracelets must be taped and must be visible.
For any other “jewelry” worn for medical reasons, the coach must have written NJSIAA approval. i.e. Daith ear piercing. ##

10. Daith ear piercing is legal (No Change)
The use of this device is LEGAL. The device can help alleviate the symptoms of migraine headaches. The piercing passes through the ear's innermost cartilage fold called the crus of the helix. The Head Coach of athletes wearing this device should have a note from NJSIAA and a doctor’s note authorizing its use. If the athlete does not have a doctor’s note let the athlete play the game with the device. Then follow up with the NJSIAA to report the athlete and the school.

11. Communications with press and social media (No Change)
Umpires shall not talk to Media or post comments on rulings or games on Social Media.
After officiating a high school baseball game, any questions from the media are to be referred to Larry White, NJSIAA Executive Director or his designated Assistant Director.
Game officials shall respond, “NO Comment”, when asked a question about a ruling or play.
Officials shall refrain from commenting or offering a ruling on a play situation in a game that they were not involved in.
The above also pertains to posting comments on social media sites.

12. Adult Coaches Helmet Policy (No Change)
Any adult coaching in the first or third base coach’s box shall wear a helmet.
The helmet may be tradition hard shell with a visor with …
Plastic hat liners or inserts may NOT be worn under a cloth hat to meet this requirement.
All baseball officials are required to enforce this policy.
DO NOT start AN inning until ALL coaches on the field are in compliance with this NJSIAA safety policy.
The NJSIAA is highly recommending that all Middle Schools adopt this safety policy for coaches.

13. Suspended Games (No Change)
NJSIAA has adopted the suspended game rule for State and Conference Tournament play. State Tournament games must be played to completion. (10 Run Rule is in effect for all tournament games).
Schools may treat a regular season game as a suspended game only if the Conference has adopted the Suspended Game rule prior to March 31st of each year.
This is important as a “tie” does not result in power points. A suspended game must be completed prior to the State Tournament cutoff date in order to be included in power point calculations.
In order for a regular season game between opponents of schools from different conferences be considered suspended, both conferences must have adopted the suspended game rule prior to March 31st.

14. Bench / Dugout Requirements (no change)
The primary responsibility of officials, athletic directors and coaches is safety of participants. This includes adult coaches as well as student-athletes.
NFHS rules require players and coaches to be within the confines of the bench/dugout area while the ball is live. It is recommended that the bench/dugout area be protected by a fence.
No one shall be permitted to stand in the open area that serves as an entrance to the bench/dugout area.
If the bench/dugout area is not protected by a fence, coaches may utilize a temporary protective device, ie., a batting practice screen, to sit behind.
The bench/dugout area may only be extended away from home plate; not toward home plate.
Coaches may not create a dead ball area and sit in front of the bench/dugout area’s protective fence even if protected by the backstop fencing.

15. Bench / Dugout Requirements
Coaches or team personnel may not sit outside the dugout/bench area on buckets or stools.

16. Directive since 2015 Coaches and players must not be exposed to being hit by a ball coming off the field.

17. Non-compliant example.

18. Compliant example

19. Non-compliant example

20. Sunglasses (no change)
High School baseball is an extra-curricular activity and an extension of the classroom. There is no allowance for styling that may be appropriate for other levels of the game.
Sunglasses are to be worn as designed by players, coaches and umpires.
They are not be worn on the bill of the cap or dangled below the face.
Umpires choosing to wear sunglasses shall select a conservative style and not draw attention.
If observed, the violator shall be directed to wear the sunglasses appropriately. Failure to comply shall be reported to the Head Coach for corrective action.

21. YES Maybe? NO
What do you think?

22. Compliant examples

23. xEYE BLACKx If observed the official shall:
High School baseball is an extension of the classroom and a valuable learning experience in good sportsmanship. Wearing eye black in ”War Paint” style is a form of intimidation and is NOT to be allowed.
Only ONE STRAIGHT LINE (approximately ¾ inch high or less) of eye black is permitted under each eye.
An adhesive sticker type of strip is acceptable. It may be solid black or show the manufacturer's name.
If observed the official shall:
If seen prior to the game, have it corrected during pre-game warm up time.
If seen during the game, stop the game and inform the Head Coach of the violation.
The player shall immediately remove the eye black. No penalty if this can be addressed without undue delay.
If removal causes an undue delay, the Head Coach must replace this player with an eligible substitute.

24. Stickers with printing Illegal Legal

25. Compliant examples

26. Non-compliant examples

27. There is currently no specific eye-black restriction in Softball.
If you work Softball….
There is currently no specific eye-black restriction in Softball.

28. Transgender player policy
A transgender student, defined as a student whose gender identity differs from the student’s sex at birth, shall be eligible to participate in accordance with either their birth sex or in accordance with their gender identity, but not both.
DO NOT prevent a possible transgender player from participating in any game. Take no action!
Refer any coaches with complaints to contact NJSIAA.

29. Pre-game Sportsmanship Statement Reading At Home Plate
NJSIAA Tolerance Policy
The sportsmanship statement will be spoken by an umpire, as written without alteration, at the start of EVERY Baseball and Softball Game.
If you’re the BU, ask your partner if he has the statement card.
Remind your partner to read it if he forgets.
It must be read at the pre-game plate conference in the presence of;
Both Head Coaches
Both Team Captains

30. Pre-game Sportsmanship Statement Reading At Home Plate
NJSIAA Tolerance Policy
The sportsmanship statement is on the back of our NJSIAA card.

31. Lightning Detectors
NEW POLICY! If a responsible party having a lightning detection device informs the umpire-in-chief that an electric storm is approaching, the umpire should accept this information and clear the field.

32. NFHS Baseball Rule changes

33. 2018 Proper SET Pitching position
The set position is one of two legal pitching positions. For the set position, a pitcher shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate and with his entire pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate.
This was never strictly enforced!

34. NEW 2019 Proper SET Pitching position Rule 6-1-3
Pitchers are no longer required to have their entire pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate.
This change recognizes that many mounds are in the type of condition that it is problematic for the pitcher to have his entire pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate.
Legal

35. Pivot foot and Pitching plate Rule 6-1-3 revised, page 40
ART For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or his pitching hand. His pitching hand shall be down at his side or behind his back. Before starting his delivery, he shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate and with his entire pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate
The modification has NOT been included in the 2019 rulebook! ##

36. Set position’s limits

37. Hybrid Pitching position still illegal!
The hybrid stance is still illegal as it does not meet the requirements of either the windup or set positions.

38. Replanting the pivot foot is illegal!
Pitching regulations do not permit a leap/hop and replanting of the pivot foot before delivery of a pitch from either the wind-up or set position (NFHS 6-1-2, 6-1-3).

39. NFHS baseball Editorial changes

40. Baseball standards extended
Some schools stated that they still have “robust quantity” of baseballs. Therefore…
The ball shall meet the current NOCSAE standard for baseballs effective January 1, 2020, which is an extension of the original implementation date of January 1, 2019.
Balls that only have the NFHS Authenticating Mark are permissible for the 2019 season.

41. Baseball standards rule changed Rule 1-3-1
Effective January 1, 2020 the SEI/NOCSAE mark is required on all baseballs that meet the NOCSAE standard that will be used in high school competition.
Baseballs shall have the SEI/NOCSAE mark along with the NFHS Authenticating Mark.
Baseballs that have both marks (SEI/NOCSAE and NFHS Authenticating Mark) or just the single NFHS Authenticating Mark are permissible for the 2019 high school baseball season.

42. Rule 8-2-6.L, new citation added
l. Last Time By. If a runner correctly touches a base that was missed (either in advancing or returning), the last time he was by the base, that last touch corrects any previous baserunning infraction (Exception 8-4-2q).
Rationale:
Per 8-4-2q, a runner cannot correct the baserunning infraction once he touches a succeeding base while the ball is dead even if he correctly touches all bases the last time by.

43. “Last time by,” case play
If this runner is on or beyond third base while the ball is dead, even if he then returns and retouches second base he has NOT corrected the base- running infraction.
He can still be called out on appeal for missing second base.

44. Rule 8-3-1a, new citation added
ART Each runner other than the batter-runner (who is governed by 8-1-2) is awarded one base when:
a. there is a balk (6-1-4, 6-2-4) or a pitch strikes a runner (5-1-1a);
b. no change.
c. no change.
Rationale:
Clarification.

45. NFHS Baseball Correction

46. NFHS change of interpretations Casebook play 2-9-1, 5-1-1
Ball lodged in glove (2-9-1, 5-1-1)
CB Situation D: The ball will now remains ALIVE when it is “lodged” in a player’s glove. The player may take his glove, with the ball stuck in it, and toss it to another fielder to record a force out at the base.
This applies to any live ball, batted, thrown or pitched.
The ball remains alive.
As usual, the umpire may call “time” when all playing action has ended.
CB Situations Q and R should be removed. They are no longer valid. ##

47. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs

49. Rule 6-2-4d1, clarification, page 42
Rule 6-2-4d1: If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or (c) holds up his hand to request "Time," it shall not be a balk. In (a) and (c), there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew.
This situation is often referred to as “a scratch.”
Rationale: The condition applies whether runners are on base or not.
The phrase is still printed in the 2019 rulebook!

50. Rule 7-3-5 penalty, clarification When a batter interferes with catcher’s throw or fielding.
PENALTY: When there are two outs, the batter is out. When there are not two outs and the runner is advancing to home plate, if the runner is tagged out, the ball remains live and interference is ignored. Otherwise, the ball is dead and the runner is called out. When an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the ­batter is out and all runners must return to bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire's judgment interference prevents a possible ­double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out, 8-4-2g, 8-4-2l(1) The new rule reference is NOT included in the 2019 rulebook! (page 45)

51. Rule 8-4-2h1, clarification missed in 2018
Rule 8-4-2,h(1): If a batter-runner safely touches first base and then overslides or overruns it, except on a base on balls, he may immediately return to first base without liability of being tagged out, provided he did not attempt to run or feint to second. Eliminated the words “except on a base on balls.” Last year’s rule change now allows a runner to return to first without liability of being tagged out. Clarification missed in 2018, included in 2019.