1. NFHS Softball 2013 Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

2. NFHS Softball 2013 Rules Changes

3. Softball Glove (1-4-1b,c)
Added that the color of the softball glove/mitt not be entirely optic yellow and that they do not have optic yellow markings on the outside or inside of the glove/mitt resembling the appearance of a softball.
The optic yellow markings on the outside of the glove/mitt can be mistaken for an optic yellow ball in the glove; consequently, the optic yellow markings are not allowed.

4. Glove With Optic Marking 1-4-1b, 1c
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From a distance, the glove/mitt on the left gives the impression that a ball is in the glove/mitt. To avoid this potential problem, any player with a glove/mitt with markings on it in optic yellow should use a marker to change that optic yellow to another color.
Illegal
Legal

5. Scorekeeping Materials (3-6-10)
Notes that objects other than stopwatches, scorekeeping materials and devices are prohibited in the coach's box.
The running game is an important and exciting part of the game. Allowing coaches in the coaching box to use a stop watch to time a pitcher’s release to the plate and possibly the subsequent throw to second base is important information to determine if a steal should be implemented.
This rule allows for the use of the stopwatch and scorebook while in the coaching box. It is not permissible for anyone to have a cell phone in the coaching box.

6. Stop Watch/Scorekeeping Device 3-6-10
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A stopwatch or scorebook will be allowed in the coaching box. A cell phone will not be allowed in the coaching box even if it is being used as a scorekeeping device.
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Legal
Legal
Illegal

7. Batter Awarded First Base (6-1-1 Exception )
Clarifies when a batter is awarded first base from an illegal pitch.
There are times when the batter could become a base runner without hitting an illegal pitch. This would allow a consistent penalty for illegal pitch regardless if the batter hits the illegal pitch or not.

8. Post-Illegal Pitch 6-1-1 Exception
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There are times when the batter could become a base runner without hitting an illegal pitch. This would allow a consistent penalty for an illegal pitch regardless if the batter hits the illegal pitch or not.
The penalty is more consistent whether the batter hits the pitch or not.

9. Hit Batter (8-1-2 Penalty 1)
Identifies when a hit batter is awarded first base and that she may not deliberately move to allow the ball to touch her in the batter's box.
A batter is penalized for prohibiting a pitch from entering the strike zone, there should be a penalty when the pitcher hits a batter when the pitch is completely inside the batter’s box. The batter cannot move to allow the ball to touch her in the batter’s box.

10. Batter Hit By Pitch 8-1-2 Penalty 1
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If the pitch is within the batter’s box, the batter does not have to make an attempt to avoid getting hit. Likewise, the batter should not deliberately move to allow the ball to touch her while in the batter’s box.
If pitch is within the batter’s box, batter does not have to make an attempt to avoid getting hit.

11. NFHS Softball 2013 Major Editorial Changes

12. The knob may be covered with grip tape.
Defines the Knob (1-5-2a)
Defines the knob component of the bat and clarifies that it may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened.
Devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are permitted.
The knob may be covered with grip tape.
This rule provides clarification to what can be on the knob of the bat and what is illegal.

13. Bat Knob 1-5-2a Legal Illegal Legal
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Devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are permitted. A one-piece rubber knob and bat grip combination are illegal (1-5-2).
Legal
Illegal
Legal

14. Head Coach (3-3-3)
Identifies that the person the Plate Umpire should announce any changes to and substitutions on the lineup card would be the opposing Head Coach.
This rule change creates uniformity with other umpire in team game management communication by specifically stating the person responsible for his/her team, the Head Coach, is guaranteed to be kept in this substitution information exchange process.

15. Substitutions 3-3-3
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Umpires should record any substitutions to the line-up card and announce the change(s) to the opposing team’s coach,
Umpires should record all substitutions on the lineup card and immediately announce any change(s) to the opposing team’s head coach.

16. DP/FLEX Option (3-3-6)
A team that intends to utilize the DP/FLEX option advises the Plate Umpire and their opponent during the exchange of line-up cards at the pregame conference.
This change would require teams to make known the desire to use the DP/FLEX at the time the line-ups become official.

17. Any change with the DP/Flex must be made at the pregame conference.
DP/Flex Option 3-3-6
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Any change with the DP/Flex must be made at the pregame conference. This procedure allows both head coaches to have the same information.
Any change with the DP/Flex must be made at the pregame conference.

18. Interference (3-5-6 Penalty)
Clarifies that if in the judgment of the umpire, the interference prevented a possible double play, the batter and runner closest to home shall be declared out. Other runners shall be returned to the last base at the time of interference.
This rule clarifies at what point the runners should be sent back to the previous base.

20. Clarification of Legality (6-1-2c)
Clarifies the legality of a hole created in front of the pitcher's plate.
If a hole has been created in front of the pitcher’s plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground.
The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground and within the 24-inch length. If a hole has been created in front of the pitcher’s plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal (6-1-2c).

21. Illegal Pitch 6-1-2c Illegal Legal
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The pitcher’s pivot foot must remain in contact with the ground. When there is a hole in front of the pitching plate, the pivot foot must not be any higher than the ground around the hole.
Illegal
Legal

22. Batter’s Feet Position (7-3-1)
Clarifies the batter's feet position within the batter's box.
The batter’s feet must be completely within the batter’s box when the pitcher is ready to pitch.

23. Batter risks having a strike called while being out of position.
Batting 7-3-1
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A batter may not delay the game by failing to promptly take her position with both feet completely inside the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, or by stepping out of the box when the pitcher is on the pitcher’s plate (7-3-1).
Batter risks having a strike called while being out of position.
Both feet of the batter must be completely within the lines when the pitcher is on the pitching plate.

24. NFHS Softball 2013 Points of Emphasis

25. Flex/Designated Player Education
The DP/Flex Rule was instituted to encourage further participation and flexibility of the game. The overall impact of this rule has been positive, however there still remains some confusion/challenges with the understanding of the rule.
Support Information can be found at
Officials – NFHS Central Hub under Softball Resources and Video tab
Coaches –
Information about the DP/Flex can be found at for the coaches and at for the officials. The information gives a clear description of what happens in the steps taken to use the DP/Flex. It should be studied intensely by coaches as well as officials.

26. DP/Flex
Many umpires and coaches need to better understand the DP/Flex rule, which enables more participant opportunities for student-athletes and more flexibility to coaches.
The DP/Flex allows the coach to use more players in the game.

27. Bench Personnel Conduct (Homerun Celebrations)
When a batter hits an over the fence or out of the park home run it is an exciting event which many times results in a celebration by all team members coming onto the field.
This celebration is allowed, however, the following precautions need to be taken:
All team members must remain behind the home plate umpire;
Allow all runners to contact home plate before engaging in the celebration.
Homerun celebrations are allowed, however, the following precautions need to be taken:
- All team members must remain behind the home plate umpire;
- Allow all batter-runners to contact home plate before engaging in the celebration.

28. Bench and Field Conduct
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Home run celebrations should take place behind home plate or closer to the dugout of the offensive team. A clear area around the home plate allows the umpire to have a clear view of the plate and play, if there is one.
Plate umpire should restrain players from gathering around home plate after a home run to ensure that runner properly touches the plate.

29. Risk Minimization (Sliding Injuries)
The NFHS has always been committed to risk minimization. Citing an increase in injuries associated with sliding during competition, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has suggested an emphasis on teaching proper sliding techniques during practice.
The is a slight increase in juries in softball associated with sliding. It is imperative that coaches work with players tio teach the proper techniques for sliding to minimize injuries.

30. Proper Sliding
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Most injuries incurred because of sliding can be eliminated by teaching the art of sliding to the players.
Coaches are encouraged to teach proper sliding techniques, which are essential for student-athletes to avoid injuries.

31. Concussion Procedure Reminder (3-3-9; 10-2-3k)
Procedure requires an athlete exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion to be removed from the contest.
Previous rules books for most sports included language directing officials to remove an athlete from play if “unconscious or apparently unconscious.” That language has been changed to the following: Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. The common signs, symptoms and behaviors of concussed athletes may be found in Appendix B, page 89, of the 2013 NFHS Softball Rules Book.
Umpires, coaches and administrators should be looking for signs of concussion in all athletes and should immediately remove any suspected concussed athlete from play and make every effort to ensure a concussed athlete does not continue to participate.

32. Concussion Procedure Revised (3-3-9; 10-2-3k)
See Appendix B
on Page 89
of the 2013
NFHS Softball
Rules Book
The Concussioon procedure in place should be reviewed by officials and coaches to ensure your response is appropriate if there should be a concussive incident.

33. NFHS Officials Association Central Hub www.nfhs.arbitersports.com
Contains
Sport information
Rules information
Rules library
Searchable rules book and case book
Video content on officiating sport, competition situations and interpretations
This web site is dedicated entirely to members of the NFHS Officials Association.
If your state is a 100% state or a Tier 2 state you, as an official, already have access to the “Home Plate” Central Hub.
If your state is not a 100% state or a Tier 2 state, you may join as in individual.
This site is committed to delivering the most current online resources available to assist the official in his/her season.
“Home Plate” provides information about the sport, rules information, resources and will include video content relating to softball umpiring.
A special rules library is available and provides a searchable rules database of NFHS softball rules and situation interpretations.
For information to join the NFHS Officials Association log on to / Join or Renew / Officials.

34.
Welcome to NFHSLEARN…SEVERAL FREE COURSES AVAILABLE TO THE COACHES AND OFFICIALS
- Concussion in Sports - What You Need To Know
- Sportsmanship
- A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention - NCAA Eligibility Center Coaching Education - The Role of the Parent in Sports

35. Fundamentals of Coaching Softball
Unit Titles
1.Basic Skills
2. Offensive Skills
3. Position Play
4. Team Defense
5. Developing a Practice Plan
6. Coaching Tips
Fundamentals of Coaching Softball provide information to a coach or prospective coach on teaching the fundamentals of the game. It is highly recommended that coaches and assistant coaches take this course.

36. NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at www
NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at

37. NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at www
NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at
This first-of-its-kind online officiating course from the NFHS is designed to introduce individuals to the world of interscholastic officiating – ideal for those considering becoming an official or anyone within their first few years in officiating.
Designed to take 30 to 45 minutes to complete, the course covers such topics as: the basics of becoming and staying an official, the science of officiating a contest, the art of officiating a contest and putting it all together!

38. NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at www
NFHS Interscholastic Officiating Course Now available at
The course is:
FREE for members of the NFHS Officials Association.
Non-member individual officials may take the course for a fee of $20. A discounted bulk rate of $10 is also available to non-100% states and officiating groups when 50 or more licenses are purchased.
Contact the NFHS Officials’ Department for more details.

39. THANK YOU

40. 2013-14 Rules Clinic Attendance Form
Click here to fill out online form