Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 Rules Changes & Points of Emphasis (POE’s) Presented by Gary Stratton February 12, 2014 Sources: NFHS Baseball Rules Committee & Matt Moore, Referee Magazine Presented by Gary Stratton February 12, 2014 Sources: NFHS Baseball Rules Committee & Matt Moore, Referee Magazine

2014 Rules Changes  Set Position (6-1-3)  Batter’s Interference (7-3-5c) RULE CHANGES

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……  ART For the set position the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or 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…… Rule Change: Set Position Rule RULE CHANGE

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE © REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Legal Pitching Position Rule THE SET is one of two legal pitching positions. The 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. PlayPic ®

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE © REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE THE WINDUP is the other legal pitching position. The pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. PlayPic ® Legal Pitching Position Rule 6-1-3

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE © REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Illegal “Hybrid” Pitching Position Rule PlayPic ® “THE HYBRID”: A number of pitchers are starting in this position and coming set. This is NOT a legal position because it does not meet the requirements of either the windup or set positions.

ILLEGAL  This rule change emphasizes that the so-called “hybrid” stance is ILLEGAL. It is, at times, difficult for the offensive team, as well as umpires, to determine the stance of a pitcher. The Rules Committee’s goal is to eliminate any confusion or circumvention of the set position rule by emphasizing the pivot foot requirement to be in a legal set position. Rationale: Set Position Rule RULE CHANGE

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE © REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE The batter is responsible for his bat throughout his swing. If the batter’s swing prevents the catcher from making a play, he has committed backswing interference. PlayPic ® Rule Change: Backswing Interference Rule 7-3-5c Above: Most common type of batter interference. Right: Backswing interference.

 SECTION 3 BATTING INFRACTIONS... A batter shall not:  ART Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by:  Leaning over home plate,  Stepping out of the batter’s box, including backswing interference  Making any other movement, including backswing interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or  Failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate a congested area when there is a throw to home plate and there is time for the batter to move away. Rule Change: Backswing Interference Rule 7-3-5c RULE CHANGE

Rationale: Backswing Interference Rule 7-3-5c  Prior wording did not address this specific type of interference. Now it does! RULE CHANGE

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE © REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE When the batter commits backswing interference and the attempt to retire R1 at second is unsuccessful, the batter is ruled out and R1 must return to first base. MechaniGram ® Rule Change: Backswing Interference Rule 7-3-5c

POINT OF EMPHASIS 2014 Points of Emphasis  Malicious Contact  Coach’s Attire  Umpire’s Authority and Enforcement

 Rules Committee is concerned about collisions and other malicious contact.  Most collisions occur at home plate, but can occur anywhere.  Malicious contact can be committed either by offensive or defensive players. Either way, the umpire shall eject the offender from the game (3-3-1n PEN).  Runners should be instructed to slide legally or attempt to avoid contact with defensive players. Malicious Contact POINT OF EMPHASIS

 Umpires have flexibility to judge contact as malicious or incidental. Suggested parameters: Was contact the result of intentional excessive force? Did contact occur close to a base, or above the waist of the receiving player? Was there intent to injure?  Absence of the above conditions does not guarantee that malicious contact did not exist. They only provide a starting point for consideration! Malicious Contact (continued) POINT OF EMPHASIS

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Offensive players can be guilty of malicious contact. When malicious contact by an offensive player occurs, the ball is dead and the player is out and ejected. PlayPic ® Malicious Contact

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS An unnecessarily hard tag is an example of defensive malicious contact. If that occurs, the ball is dead and the defensive player is ejected. PlayPic ® Malicious Contact

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Despite possible funding cutbacks, coaches should be dressed in uniforms similar to their players. This serves as a means to more easily identify members of the coaching staff. PlayPic ® Coach’s Attire

Umpire’s Authority  Umpire’s authority in a game is final.  Rules Committee is concerned about prolonged and exaggerated reactions to umpire’s calls. Coaches are expected to be role models, handling calls with class and character, and setting examples of appropriate behavior so their team and fans follow.  Do not tolerate: Disputing umpire’s calls. Noncompliance regarding umpire’s commands. Prolonged offensive conferences. Gamesmanship, and challenging umpire’s authority. POINT OF EMPHASIS

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Coaches are permitted to question rules and their enforcements, but are not allowed to question the judgment of the umpire. The umpire is the sole authority for ruling on a game. PlayPic ® Umpire’s Authority

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS When the plate umpire comes to the mound, the defensive conference is over. The coach should respect the umpire’s authority to resume the game and not linger or prolong his conference unnecessarily. PlayPic ® Umpire’s Authority

 Balks – Ball Dead Immediately (5-1-1k)  Pitcher Returning (3-1-2)  Beads in Hair – Not a violation of jewelry rule; considered adornment (1-4, 3-3-1d, )  Blood on Umpire’s Uniform or Equipment – Treat same as players/coaches (3-1-6) Existing Rules Causing Confusion ADDITIONAL ITEMS

 Forced Play Slide Rule (8-4-2b)  Throwing to Unoccupied Base (6-2-4b)  Play Lists on Sweatbands – Legal equipment if worn on wrist or arm Existing Rules Causing Confusion (continued) ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Questions?