1. Presented by State Interpreter - Dan Deshaies ddeshaies@auburnschl.edu Cell Phone #: 576-5835 Home Phone #: 926-5106 2015 M.P.A. Baseball Coaches Clinic

2. 1-5-1 Other Rule Affected: 1-5-5 NEW: ART. 1... It is mandatory for on-deck batters, batters, runners, retired runners, players/students in the coaches boxes as well as non-adult bat/ball shaggers to wear a batting helmet that has a non-glare or mirror-like surface that meets the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture. The batting helmet…allowed on the field. Rationale: To provide the same rle coverage for the offensive players and personnel that is shared by rule for defensive players. This is a risk minimization rule. Helmets

4. 2-16-1f, g NEW:ART. 1... A foul ball is a batted ball: a.-e. Remains the same. f. that hits the batter in the batter’s box; or g. that hits the ground or home plate and then hits the batter or the bat which is held by the batter, while he is in the batter’s box. Rationale: Consistent with current rule 8-4-1-d2 and should be reflected in the definition. Foul Ball

5. 2-21-4, 5 NEW: ART. 4... Follow-through interference is when the bat hits the catcher after the batter has swung at a pitch and hinders action at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner. ART. 5... Backswing interference is when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time of the pitch. Rationale: The follow-through and the backswing are two separate and distinct acts and the rules treat them differently. The distinction needs to be clarified. 5-1-1n Modify: ART. 1... Ball becomes dead immediately when: a.-m. Remains the same. n. Backswing interference occurs. Rationale: Consistent with the aforementioned definitions of follow- through and backswing interference. Backswing

6. 7-3-5c Modify: ART. 5... Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by: a. -b. Remains the same. 1.making any other movement, including backswing follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or 2.Remains the same. Rationale: Consistent with the aforementioned definitions of follow- through and backswing interference. 7-3-7 Modify: ART. 7... Commit backswing interference. Rationale: Consistent with the aforementioned definitions of follow- through and backswing interference. 7-3-7 Penalty Modify: PENALTY: The ball is immediately dead. Rationale: Consistent with the aforementioned definitions of follow- through and backswing interference.

7. 3-3-1f Delete: f. use video monitoring or replay equipment for coaching purposes during the course of the game; Rationale: Technological advances make it extremely difficult to determine if a coach is videotaping a game or players’ performance in a game for coaching or social media purposes. Video Monitoring

8. 3-3-1 Penalty Delete: PENALTY: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected, except for (f), where the coach shall be ejected. In (b), it is also obstruction (8-3-2). Rationale: Technological advances make it extremely difficult to determine if a coach is videotaping a game or players’ performance in a game for coaching or social media purposes. Deleting the penalty is appropriate action after deleting the rule. Video Monitoring

9. Helmets: No cracks/NO tape: There may be No tape inside or outside any helmets. Pitching Changes: Coaches need to speed up pitching changes. When coach arrives on the mound, give change to umpire, talk quickly to players, leave the mound, then pitcher warms up. Umpires are instructed to keep this process moving. Points Of Emphasis Post-Game Ejections: Any player/coach who once the game ends commits any act that would have resulted in an ejection during the game may be issued a post- game ejection. Penalty: must sit out the next scheduled regular season/playoff game. Enforced until umpires leave game site.

10. Pitcher - Stretch: Pivot foot parallel, on or in front of rubber. Free foot entirely in front of rubber. Penalty: Illegal pitch or balk. Neoprene sleeve: It must be covered and both sleeves still need to be the same length. Penalty: It can not be worn and it is the UMPIRES job to take care of business before pitcher warms up. Past Rule Revisions: 2014

11. Start Date March 23, 2015, Eight Pitchers/Two Catchers Start (same 10 People) The purpose of the additional week for pitchers and catchers is for conditioning and development of the pitchers’ arms. Weather When Lightning is observed or thunder is heard in the vicinity of a contest conducted outdoors, play should be suspended. Play shall not be resumed until 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or clap of thunder. Bona Fide Team Rule A member of a school team is a student athlete who is regularly present for and actively participates in team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are prevented from missing high school practice or competition to compete or practice elsewhere. 2015 Bulletin

12. Run Rules MPA has adopted the rule, which terminates a game when a team, after five and one-half innings is ten runs ahead in baseball for J.V. or 9 th grade games. This rule may NOT be waived for J.V. or 9 th grade games. At the varsity level, games will be terminated at 4 ½ innings or 5 innings depending on who is ahead by ten runs during the regular season; however, coaches have the option to waive the ten-run rule by mutual consent during the pre-game meeting. NOTE: THE THE-RUN RULE IS IN EFFECT DURING REGIONAL AND STATE TOURNAMENT COMPETITION A pitcher who pitches in both games of a double header, regardless if it is against the same team or two different teams, shall not pitch more than three innings per game. The pitching rule applies to the entire season; pre-season, exhibition, tournament, and all other games. 2015 Bulletin

13. It is mandatory that each home baseball team have an “L” shaped screen for both teams to use. Throughout the season, helmets must be worn during warm-up (batting practice) prior to all contests. (This is a major liability issue) Coaches must wear a helmet to be on the field. A suspended coach may not be present at the game site. If an ejected player in the dugout continues unsporting conduct, the penalty is the Head Coach is ejected Other