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2009 NFHS Rule Changes

1-2-2

Change: All non-permanent lines on the playing field shall be marked white with a material not injurious to the eyes or skin. Lime or caustic material of any kind is prohibited.

Rationale: Clarification for proper lining instructions for grass and turf fields.

6-2-3

Change: Intentionally pitch close to a batter.

Rationale: To reinforce the responsibility of the pitcher while he has engaged the pitcher's plate.

7-3-4

Penalty

Change: Penalty: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless the pitch was a third strike or ball four.

Rationale: Instead of penalizing with a multi-base award. Just remove the glove and replace or rectify the situation.

10-1-9 and Umpires' Manual

Delete: ... word "heather" gray

Rationale: Heather gray slacks are slowly becoming difficult to acquire. Equipment dealers are transitioning into charcoal gray slacks. This rule change will provide umpires the opportunity to purchase any shade of dark gray and be in compliance.



2009 Rule Interpretations

2009 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations

Publisher's Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications 2009

SITUATION 1: The visiting team is wearing a vest-style jersey top over a white shirt with sleeves that end at the elbow. The coach of the home team complains that the pitcher's uniform is illegal since the shirt under the vest is white. RULING: The pitcher's uniform is legal. The shirt under the vest is considered to be part of the uniform and not an undergarment. If the shirt worn with the vest top is white, it is legal provided the sleeves do not extend below the elbow.  (1-4-2)

SITUATION 2: The pitcher is wearing a vest top over (a) a long-sleeve black shirt or, (b) a long-sleeve white shirt. RULING: The pitcher's uniform in (a) is legal. In (b), the long-sleeve white shirt is not legal and must be replaced with either a long-sleeve shirt that is not white or gray, or a short-sleeve shirt, white or any non-distracting color, before the next pitch.  (1-4-2)

SITUATION 3: The home team is wearing a vest-style top over a long-sleeve white shirt. The visiting coach complains that this is not legal for the pitcher, but the home team's coach says the pitcher is simply dressed like the rest of his team. RULING: The pitcher may not wear a long-sleeve shirt with the vest top that is white or gray. He may wear a short-sleeve white shirt or a long-sleeve shirt that is not white, gray or distracting. It is permissible, if his team is wearing a long-sleeve white shirt with the vest, for the pitcher to wear a short-sleeve white shirt or a long-sleeve shirt that is a different color from the rest of the team. (1-4-2)
SITUATION 4: The pitcher is wearing a white compression type-sleeve on his pitching arm. The opposing coach states that he cannot wear it and, therefore, must remove it. RULING: A compression or medical-type sleeve may be worn by any player, including the pitcher. If it is white and worn on the pitching arm, it cannot extend below the elbow.  (1-4-2)

SITUATION 5: The pitcher is wearing a white compression sleeve on his pitching arm that extends below the elbow. RULING: This is not allowed. While a pitcher may wear a compression sleeve, if it is white and worn on his pitching arm, it may not extend below his elbow. A compression sleeve of any length that is neither white nor gray, or deemed to be distracting, may be worn by the pitcher on either arm.  (1-4-2)

SITUATION 6: The pitcher is wearing (a) a white compression sleeve that extends from his bicep to his wrist on his non-throwing arm or (b) a compression sleeve that has a light-blue spider-web design. RULING: In (a), provided this is not deemed to be distracting, it is allowed. In (b), provided it is not distracting, it may be worn on either arm.  (1-4-2)

SITUATION 7: With a count of 3-2, the batter permits a pitch that is a ball to hit him. RULING: Although the batter did permit the pitch to hit him, he will be awarded first base since it was ball four.  (7-3-4 Penalty)

SITUATION 8: With runners on first base and third base and one out, the runner from first base attempts to steal second base. The catcher, despite batter interference, throws out the runner from first at second as the runner from third scores. The defensive coach states he wants the penalty for batter interference and not the result of the play. RULING: The defensive coach does not have the option to take the penalty for the batter interference or the result of the play. Since the runner was tagged out, the ball remains live and the interference is ignored.  The run scores.  (7-3-5 Penalty)

SITUATION 9: The home team is using a DH for its pitcher. The DH is listed to hit in the No. four spot in the lineup. On the lineup card posted in the dugout, the coach places the DH in the No. four spot and the pitcher in the No. 10 spot. The pitcher misunderstands the lineup and comes to bat after the ninth player. With the pitcher at bat and a 2-2 count, the opposing team brings the infraction to the attention of the umpire. RULING: This is illegal substitution, not batting out of order. The pitcher is declared out and restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. The role of the DH is terminated and the player who batted in the No. 1 spot is considered to have been substituted for in the game and may return only if he has re-entry eligibility. 
(2-36-3d, 3-1-1, 3-1-3, 3-1-4a)

SITUATION 10: The batter squares to bunt with both feet in the batter's box, but his knee is touching home plate when he bunts the pitch foul. RULING: The batter is out because he was touching home plate when he hit the ball.  (7-3-2)

SITUATION 11: With runners on first base and second base, the batter hits a clean single to left center field. As the runner from second is rounding third base, the catcher picks up the bat and places it in front of home plate in the base line from third base. The runner must alter his stride to avoid the bat. RULING: This is obstruction by the catcher. If the runner does not score on the play, he will be awarded home. The catcher could additionally be warned or ejected for his behavior that is not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.  (2-22-1, 8-3-2, 3-3-1g-4 penalty)

SITUATION 12: No outs, runners on first base and third base. A ground ball is hit to the second baseman, who throws home in an attempt to put out the runner advancing from third. The throw is late and wide of the plate and the runner easily slides across the plate. The catcher receives the throw and is preparing to throw to first when he is contacted (not maliciously) by the runner after he has slid across home. The throw to first is wild. The batter-runner had not yet made it to first base. RULING: This is interference by the runner from third.  The ball is dead at the time of the interference. Since this is not a force-play slide situation, the run will count, the batter will be declared out for the interference, and the runner from first base will be placed at the base he occupied at the time of the interference.  (2-21-1a, 2-32-2c, 8-4-2f)

SITUATION 13: Runner on third with two outs. The batter swings at a pitch in the dirt for strike three and begins to advance to first base. The runner from third scores before the catcher, in an attempt to record the out at first, throws and hits the batter-runner who is out of the running lane.  The offensive team's coach says the run should count since the runner scored prior to the interference. RULING: The run does not count. A run is not scored if the runner advances to home plate during action in which the third out is made by the batter-runner before he touches first base.  (9-1-1a)

SITUATION 14: One out with runners at second base and third base. The batter hits a fly ball deep to center field. The runner at second base goes halfway, but the runner at third begins to advance to home. The coach grabs him and pushes him back to tag third base. The ball bounces and goes over the fence for a ground-rule double. RULING: The ball is dead when it bounces over the fence. The runner at third is declared out due to the coach's interference. The runner at second is returned to second due to the interference. The batter-runner will be awarded second base for the ground-rule double, which will advance the runner from second base to third base.  (3-2-2 Penalty, 8-3-3c)

SITUATION 15: With runners at first and second and one out, the batter hits a bounding ball to left field. The runner from second touches third and is obstructed advancing to home. The obstructed runner then interferes with the catcher attempting to make a play on the runner from first advancing to third base. RULING: The penalties are enforced in the order in which the infractions occurred. The runner advancing from second is awarded home. Following the enforcement for the obstruction, the interference is penalized. The runner from first is declared out and the batter-runner is returned to the base he legally occupied at the time of the interference. Had the interference been malicious in nature, the obstructed runner would be declared out in addition to the out on the runner from first.  (2-22-1, 2-21-1a, 3-3-1n Penalty, 8-4-2e, 8-4-2g)

SITUATION 16: The batter-runner hits a ground ball to the shortstop who goes deep into the hole to field the ball. As the shortstop makes the throw, the batter veers into the first baseman in an attempt to disrupt the play. RULING: While this is not a violation of the runner's lane, the batter is out for intentionally interfering with the throw. The ball is dead when the interference occurs.  (8-4-2g, 8-4-1g)

SITUATION 17: As the batter-runner nears first base, attempting to beat out a ground ball to third, he intentionally steps on the first baseman's foot to disrupt the play. RULING: The batter is out and ejected for malicious contact. Other runners on base would be returned to the base occupied at the time of the interference.  (2-21-1b, 3-3-1n Penalty)

SITUATION 18: On a batted ball down the right-field line, the ball bounces over the right fielder's head, and ricochets off the foul pole above the fence and back onto the field. The right fielder retrieves the ball and throws out the batter-runner at second base. The defensive coach says the play should stand since the ball never left the field, while the offensive coach says the out should not stand.  RULING: The out will not stand. The hit is considered to be a ground-rule double, since the ball would have bounced over the fence. The ball is dead when it struck the foul pole over the fence.
(8-3-3c, 5-1-1f-4)
SITUATION 19: Having scouted the opposing team, the defensive coach brings the left fielder in to assume an infield position between the second baseman and the first baseman. The batter hits a ground ball to the "additional" infielder who throws the ball into the dugout on the first play. RULING: Two bases will be awarded to runners on base from the time of the pitch. The left fielder is considered at the time of the play to be an infielder.
(8-3-5, 2-13-3)

SITUATION 20: Having scouted the player coming to bat, the defensive coach moves the second baseman to the outfield, thereby having four fielders equally spaced in the outfield. The second baseman, now playing in the outfield, takes a batted ball on the bounce and throws it into a dead-ball area. RULING: Two bases will be awarded to the runners from the time of the throw. The second baseman is considered at the time of this play to be an outfielder.  (8-3-5, 2-13-3)



JHS Modified Rules
Make sure you understand and play by listed rules.
 

MODIFIED BASEBALL

National Federation rules

Game Conditions

1.  Pitchers must participate in at least 15 practices before an interschool game. 

2.  The maximum number of games shall be 12.

3.  Doubleheaders: The following restrictions apply to the use of doubleheaders:

     a. The maximum number of doubleheaders allowed is two.

     b. A team may not play three games in two consecutive days. No more than three games a week may be played.

     c. Pitching limitations remain the same.

     d. Each game of the doubleheader is to be six innings. No team may play more than fourteen innings in one day. This allows a maximum total of two extra innings in the event of tie games. 

4.  Equipment:

     a. Catchers shall wear the full protective equipment of helmet, mask with throat protector, chest protector, shin guards, and cup.

     b. Batters and base runners shall wear protective headgear. 

     c. Any player warming up a pitcher, on or off the diamond, shall wear a mask. 

     d. Only sneakers or shoes with molded soles and molded cleats are permitted in the modified program. Shoes with metal posts or spikes are not permitted in any modified sport. 

     e. All bats must have a 2-5/8" bat barrel diameter and a minus three differential between the length and weight of the bat.   

Game Rules

1.  Regulation game shall be seven innings. 

2.  A pitcher may pitch no more than 12 full innings in any one calendar week and no more than seven innings in any one game. After pitching four or more full innings in any one game, there must be at least two nights rest before pitching again. When removed, he may play any other position. 

3.  Designated hitters will not be allowed.

4.  An extra player, referred to as an EP, is mandated and must be listed on the scoring sheet in the regular batting order. The EP must be used for the entire game. Failure to complete the game with the EP results in the forfeiture of the game (except in case of injury or ejection from game with no eligible players left to enter, the rules permit play with eight players).  All 10 players bat, but only nine can play defense each inning. The person designated as the EP (not a defensive player at the start of the game) may at a later time play a defensive position; the defensive player is now only a batter for that inning and not a fielder. There will always be one player in the lineup not on the field defensively. The EP may be substituted for at any time, either by a pinch-runner or pinch-hitter who then becomes the EP. The substitute must be a player who has not yet been in the game.  A starter may re-enter the game into his same batting order position.

Section XI Rules

No new inning may begin beyond two hours from the actual starting time of the contest. Examples:

     1. Game started at 4:10 PM, fifth inning ends at 6:15 PM. There will not be a sixth inning.

     2. Game started at 4:10 PM, fifth inning ends at 6:05 PM. There will be a sixth inning.

                                                                                                (3/27/01)

Mercy Rule Experiment (Beginning 2008-09 season)
    A contest will end after a team at the short end of the 15-run rule has completed their fifth at bat.
(Approved 3/10/09)

 



Try these out
These questions are either True or False.

1. An illegal pitch will be declared when the pitcher delivers a pitch while wearing tape on the fingers of his pitching hand.

2. A starting player who hits in the leadoff position, and later re-enters the game in the No. 4 spot in the lineup, is considered to be batting out-of-order.

3. A runner may run more than 3 feet away from a direct line between bases except to avoid being tagged or to hinder a fielder.

4. If a pitcher, using a glove with white or gray on it, used the glove to field a batted ball, the batter shall be awarded three bases.

5.  Awards will be made from the time of the throw when a runner, who is returning to touch his base following a caught fly ball, is prevented from doing so because the thrown live ball becomes dead.

6. The assistant coach, even if the head coach is present, may represent the team in communications with the umpires.

7. The runner who initiated malicious contact is out and ejected, if the malicious contact occurred before he scored.

8. When a fake tag occurs, the umpire will warn the coach of the team who committed the fake tag and eject the next offender.
 
9. Lineups become official when they are presented to the umpire-in-chief. 
 
10.  A defensive coach, once playing action is over and before the next pitch, may make a live-ball verbal appeal on a possible missed base.
 
11. When a player is injured, time cannot be called until all playing action is completed. 
 
12.  A runner, obstructed as he returned to first base on a pick-off play, would be awarded only first base as that was the base he was attempting to achieve.
 
13.  A coach may be warned or ejected if he allows his team to line up near the foul line by home plate to observe the opposing team's infield practice prior to the start of the game.
 
14.  A batted ball will be ruled fair when it strike's the pitcher's plate and rebounds into foul ground between third base and home, where it comes to rest.


Fundamentals of Umpiring
 Umpire Fundamentals




Game Management
 Game Management

 




Planning to Make Mistakes
 Planning to Make Mistakes
 


What's the zone?
The strike zone is probably the most difficult aspect of umpiring to master.
It takes a lot of games and a lot of practice. There are pitches that technically meet the definition of a strike that are balls and there are pitches that meet the definition of a ball that are strikes. You have to be able to know what's too high, what's too low, what's outside and what's inside.
There is an old saying, "perception is reality." The "perception" is not what you see, but rather what all of the players, coaches and fans see. Remember, only you and the catcher are behind the plate. Everyone else has a different angle. The pitcher can crank off a beautiful curve ball that breaks sharply, briefly enters the strike zone and goes down and out causing the catcher to go to his right and into the dirt to catch it. You call it a strike, which it is, and everyone starts screaming and yelling. The next pitch is a fast ball, mid thigh and two inches off the plate right into the catchers mitt. You call it a ball, which it is and everyone is screaming again. So, you learn to start adjusting. The secret is knowing how far to adjust and also keep it consistent throughout the game. The next game, depending on the pitchers, you may have to adjust again.




Don't Make That Mistake
 Fix mistakes

 



Using your edge-Mechanics
 Mechanics-Using your edge

Ten Rules for Good Umpiring
 Ten Rules


NFHS Press Release
 Obstruction to Bases Prohibited in 2008 Baseball Rules
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 9, 2007) -- Beginning with the 2008 high school baseball season, fielders without possession of the ball will not be allowed to deny access to the base that a runner is attempting to achieve.
This change in Rule 2-22-3 is one of numerous rules revisions approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee at its annual meeting June 12-14 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
"This rules revision will be very beneficial because it will minimize the risk of injury for both offensive and defensive players," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.
A revision to Rule 3-2-1 rescinds the previous rule that stated a coach or player occupying the coaches' boxes shall remain there upon the batter entering the batter's box until the release of the ball by the pitcher if requested by the opposing coach. Beginning with the 2008 season, one player or coach may occupy each coach's box while his or her team is at bat.
"This rule was virtually impossible to enforce in the past," Hopkins said. "The umpire does not normally focus on the coach in the box, and shouldn't have to split his or her focus between the coach and the game. In addition, a lot of fields are not properly lined with coaches' boxes, and it's tough to say where the coach should be if the marks are not clear."
Along with the previous rule, multiple rules changes were made regarding head coaches. Rule 3-2-4 requires the head coach to be in attendance at the pregame conference if available. If he or she is not present, the head coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game unless he or she must attend to a sick or injured player.
Another rule, Rule 1-1-2, suggests the importance of both the captain and the head coach being in communication with the umpires. Both must be present at the pregame conference, and the head coach is responsible for ensuring that his or her team is in compliance and will adhere to good sportsmanship. The rule also requires the name, shirt number, position and batting order of each starter to be placed on the lineup card. The name and shirt number of each eligible substitute should also be placed on the card, but are not required.
"It is important and necessary to require lineup cards to be filled out correctly," Hopkins said. "We looked at the vocabulary for the requirements for substitutions and changed ‘shall' to ‘should' in the section concerning eligible substitutions because there is no violation or penalty outlined if the eligible substitute's name is not listed on the card."
Two final rules changes deal with equipment and apparel. Rule 1-3-6 will require a pitcher's glove to be removed from the game if it includes the colors of white and/or gray and is noticed by the umpire or opposing team.
"It is the coach's responsibility to make sure his team is properly equipped, and it is the umpire's responsibility to enforce the rules," Hopkins said. "Instead of penalizing the opposing team with a multi-base award, the glove will only be required to be removed."
According to Rule 10-1-9, it is necessary that umpires dress alike in heather gray slacks and either a navy pullover shirt or a state association-adopted shirt. They are not required to supply a wide variety of shirts beyond what is necessary.

Western Suffolk Baseball Umpires Assoc.
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