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Three rules revisions were made by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee regarding the pitcher-batter relationship at its annual meeting June 9-11 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The penalty for Rule 6-2-3 - a pitcher exceeding the 20-second time limit - is now a ball awarded to the batter, rescinding the previous penalty of an illegal pitch.
"The change makes a violation of the time to pitch by the pitcher consistent with a batter failing to be ready within 10 seconds after the ball has been returned to the pitcher," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee. "An illegal pitch penalty is excessive as it also awards runners one additional base."
A revision to Rule 6-1-4d changes the pitching windup requirement to a maximum of 1½ clockwise revolutions. The change will benefit batters and umpires alike.
"More and more, pitchers are pushing the rule to the limit in an attempt to gain an advantage by deceiving the batter," Struckhoff said. "The change will make an illegal pitch, as it relates to the windup, easier to identify and enforcement more consistent."
The final adjustment to help create balance between offense and defense clarifies the definition of an attempted bunt. Rule 2-8-2 will be changed to state that holding the bat in the strike zone is considered an attempted bunt. In order to take a pitch, the batter must withdraw the bat backward away from the ball.
The committee also addressed the issue of ball specifications. Beginning in 2010, all softballs must have a dynamic stiffness that does not exceed 7,500 lbs/inch when tested under current proposed ASTM test methods. Rule 1-3-3 adds the dynamic stiffness requirement to complement the existing size, weight, COR, and compression standards.
Editorial changes approved by the committee:
* Rule 1-4-2 includes the allowance of one American flag (2 inches x 3 inches maximum) permitted on the glove.
* Rule 1-7-1 states that any eye shield worn by a catcher must be clear.
* A note addition to Rule 3-2-1 establishes that individual state associations may permit a player to participate while wearing a different style of uniform for religious reasons.
* Rule 3-2-7 was clarified to affirm that exposed undergarments must be a solid color.
* Rule 6-2-3 clarifies that once the ball is returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, she has 20 seconds to release the pitch.
* Rule 7-3-1 clarifies that the batter has 10 seconds to take her position in the batter's box after the ball is returned to the pitcher. The wording of the penalty for this rule was also changed to state that the pitcher bringing her hands together indicates a commitment to deliver the pitch.
The committee also established three points of emphasis for next season: 1) pitching, 2) obstruction/interference and 3) the DP/FLEX Rule.
Softball is the fourth-most popular sport among girls at the high school level with 373,448 participants during the 2006-07 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It also ranks third in school sponsorship for girls across the nation with 14,968 participating schools.

 

A revision was made to Rule 6-2-3 regarding infractions by a pitcher. The rule states it is illegal for a pitcher to intentionally pitch close to a batter, replacing the prior phrasing of to "throw"
close to a batter. The change was necessary for clarification and in order to be consistent with other pitching rules.
"This rule is violated while the pitcher is pitching, and not just throwing the ball," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.
Infractions by a batter were also addressed. The committee is concerned that batters are still attempting to be hit by pitches and earn an undeserved awarded base by "taking one for the team." Rule 7-3-4 clearly prohibits a batter allowing himself to be hit by a pitch.
In such a situation, the pitched ball is deemed either a strike or a ball and the player who permitted the ball to touch him remains at bat unless the pitch results in a third strike or ball four. The phrase "or ball four" was added to the rule to clarify the pitch needed to be called a strike or ball.
Revisions were also made to Rule 1-2-2 regarding painted field lines. All non-permanent lines on the playing field shall be marked white with a material not injurious to the eyes or skin.
Non-permanent refers to all lines that must be painted on the field. Only permanent lines, such as on artificial turf, may be a color other than white.
Lastly, umpires will be given more flexibility with their uniforms beginning in 2009. An adjustment to Rule 10-1-9 eliminated the need for umpires to specifically wear heather gray pants.
"Equipment dealers are transitioning to charcoal gray slacks,"
Hopkins said. "This rule change will provide umpires the opportunity to purchase any shade of dark gray and be in compliance."
In addition to the four rules changes, the committee identified four points of emphasis: 1) simplifying illegal pitch penalty administration, 2) re-emphasizing that team personnel remain in dugouts,
3) keeping the pace of play steady and 4) having all coaching staff members display professional behavior.
 

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee emphasized risk minimization and standardized procedures to assist both coaches and referees through 16 wrestling rules changes for the 2008-09 school year. Rules changes were made by the committee at its April 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The time sequence for the offensive wrestler in assuming the offensive starting position was standardized with the addition of a note to Rule 5-20-5. First, the wrestler must set the knee(s) and feet.
Second, the wrestler must place the palm of one hand on the navel.
Third, the wrestler must place the palm of the other hand on or over the near elbow. Fourth, the referee shall pause momentarily before starting wrestling. This rule change is meant to provide consistency for coaches, wrestlers and referees. While each action is currently standard practice, there has not been a written sequence of those events in the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book.
"These changes provide further rules support based on interpretations," said Bob Colgate, assistant director of the NFHS and liaison to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. "The clarifications make the rules easier to administer."
With an emphasis on sportsmanship, the committee approved two rules changes meant to encourage sportsmanlike conduct by wrestlers and coaches. An addition to Rule 6-7-1c6 states that an unsportsmanlike act that occurs at anytime during the match shall take precedence over the first points scored in the regulation match in determining choice of position in the ultimate tiebreaker. So the wrestler whose opponent has received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at any time during the match will now have choice of position in the ultimate tiebreaker.
In addition, a change to Rule 5-31-1 removes the penalty for coaches whose wrestlers report to the scorer's table not in proper uniform, not properly groomed, not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle.
The addition of Rule 7-1-5w makes a back flip from a standing position an illegal maneuver. The rule was added as an effort to minimize risk to all wrestlers.
"Any time you're dealing with risk minimization in wrestling, it's paramount," Colgate said. "Someone could have been seriously injured if we did not take that initiative."
The committee also addressed the issue of skin conditions. A revision to Rule 4-2-3 allows an on-site physician to examine a wrestler with a particular skin condition without a physician's release form immediately after the weigh-in. A new Rule 4-2-5 allows a physician's release form for a non-communicable skin condition, such as a birthmark or eczema, to be valid for the duration of the season, with some stipulations.
The committee also approved the following rules changes:
* A change to Rule 2-2-2 clarifies the boundary for the
restricted zone for coaches.
* A revision to Rule 4-1-5 requires the wrestler's uniform
to be worn as intended/designed by the manufacturer. This change gives rules support to a previous NFHS interpretation.
* Rule 4-2-1 will state that a wrestler's hair in the
front, in its natural state, shall not extend below the eyebrows.
* A change in Rule 4-5-5 allows for a one-pound weight
allowance when a competition is postponed for one calendar day or more due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. The head coach, principal or athletic director of the opponent must be notified in advance to be granted the one-pound weight allowance.
* A change to Rule 5-15-3 gives referees the option to
stop a match if there is no action at the edge of the mat and to restart wrestling in the center of the mat.
* A new addition to Rules 5-25-6c and 7-6-6c provides
rules support for the interpretation of stalling as "repeatedly creates a stalemate situation to prevent an opponent from scoring."
* In Rule 6-6-1, when the wrong wrestler is given choice
of position at the start of the first 30-second tiebreaker in overtime, the opponent will be given the choice at the start of the second 30-second tiebreaker. Previously, this would have been considered bad time.
* In Rule 7-4-1, the committee further defined unnecessary
roughness by including ". . . a forceful slap to the head or face, and/or gouging or poking the eyes."
* The committee also approved a new signal for referees to
indicate when to start recovery time during a match.
The committee adopted four points of emphasis for the upcoming season, including grooming and medical checks, reporting to the scorer's table ready to wrestle, going out of the wrestling area, and referees'
signals and mechanics.
 

In an effort to reduce rough play in free-throw situations in high school basketball, the two marked lane spaces closest to the end line will be vacant effective with the
2008-09 season.
This revision in Rule 8-1-4 was one of three changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its April 13-15 meeting in Indianapolis.
The changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Beginning next season, all players will move up one lane space during a free-throw attempt. A new mark will be applied to the lane line near the free-throw line to designate the last 3-foot marked lane space.
The committee reviewed data from the Georgia High School Association, which experimented with the free-throw lane change last year.
"According to data from the experiment, the number of fouls during free-throw rebounding action was reduced," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and staff liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. "At the same time, defensive rebounding percentages fell within an acceptable range. This data was the most compelling the committee had seen to date."
Perhaps as significant as the changes approved by the committee was one that was not. After much discussion, the committee voted against the use of instant replay to review specific situations during state tournaments. Three proposals were considered by the committee this year after three states had last-second shots in championship games.
"The committee discussed the issue extensively, but there was very little support for implementing video review at the high school level," Struckhoff said. "Some felt the use of video to review officials' decisions is against the philosophy of high school sports.
Others said that video review doesn't always provide a conclusive decision, and the equipment would not be consistently available in facilities throughout the country. The committee also felt it would be difficult for officials to officiate without replay throughout the season and then be expected to use it at a state championship."
Another significant change approved by the committee will directly affect high school coaches. If a player is wearing an illegal jersey, illegal pants/skirt and/or an illegal number, a technical foul will be charged directly to the head coach. Previously, one technical foul was assessed to each improperly uniformed player per team.
Improvements have been made in ordering and purchasing legal uniforms, and the NFHS is working with manufacturers to improve compliance with NFHS uniform design specifications. Struckhoff said the committee wants to encourage and promote the use of legal uniforms.
"In the past few years, there has been a proliferation of illegal uniforms worn by teams, and the committee wanted to put the penalty where it belonged," Struckhoff said.
The committee also clarified Rule 3-5-3 to state "any item that goes around the entire head (elastic strips/bands, pre-wrap, headbands,
etc.) shall meet the rule requirements regarding color, maximum size, logo restrictions and team uniformity." The committee also added black and beige to the list of legal colors. The change was made to make the rule more consistent in application and enforcement.
Other editorial changes approved by the committee:
* Rule 3-4 was reorganized to separate the topics by
articles and adjust the language to reflect current industry standards/terminology.
* In Rule 4-27-2, a portion of the first sentence of the
"incidental contact" definition will be removed to clarify that a foul should be called when displacement occurs while opponents attempt to secure a loose ball.
* Rule 4-42-5 will be reorganized into sub-articles for
clarity.
* Rule 10-5 will be reorganized for better understanding
and clarity.
The committee also adopted five points of emphasis for the upcoming season. The identified topics include legal uniforms, rough play, time-outs, slapping the backboard and officials' mechanics and signals.
Basketball is the second-most popular sport for boys and first for girls at the high school level, according to the 2006-07 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 556,269 boys and 456,967 girls, for a total of 1,013,236 participants nationwide. The sport ranks first in school sponsorship with 17,762 schools sponsoring a boys team and
17,458 fielding a girls program.

NEW SWIM RULES FOR 2008-2009

 A new penalty for wearing jewelry and/or illegal attire was one of the seven rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations
(NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee at its March 30 meeting in Indianapolis. These revisions were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Rule 3-3-4 was revised to penalize a competitor for a subsequent violation of wearing jewelry and/or illegal attire through "disqualification in the heat/round and ineligibility for the remainder of the meet if not corrected."
According to Becky Oakes, liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, the new penalty is more appropriate for the severity of the violation.
"The previous penalty was considered unsporting conduct, with the punishment being more severe than the violation," Oakes said. "The committee wanted to allow some flexibility in addressing something that was not an everyday occurrence, but at the same time create a structured penalty and emphasize accountability of the coach and athlete to adhere to competition rules."
The committee also clarified Rule 6-3-4 to state "there must now be a difference of more than 0.3 seconds between automatic and backup times" in order to consider a potential timing system malfunction.
Current meet administration software and timing systems now recognize a potential timing malfunction with more than a 0.3 difference and the revision allows officials to utilize current technology for efficient meet administration.
Other rules changes made by the committee:
* Rule 2-4-3 was revised to state that when practical, the numbering of lanes should be from right to left as the swimmer stands facing the course.
* Rule 2-7-4 now requires a "recall device" for recall races, but no longer specifies a recall rope since this is just one of several recall devices.
* In Rule 4-2-2, clarified that when there is dual confirmation, it is not proper mechanics for the officials to raise their hand for a violation for relay takeoffs and the no-recall false start.
* Rule 8-1-2 clarifies that a backstroke competitor shall become stationary immediately after the starting command, "Take your mark."
* In diving, Rule 9-1-1 clarifies the water depth at any point 2 to 5 feet in front of the end of the board is 12 feet, with an exception of 10 feet for any pool constructed prior to January 1987.
In addition, the committee, in editorial action, changed the term "motionless" to "stationary" in directions to officials for starts.
Oakes said this revision was made to reflect more accurately what officials should observe at the start.
"By using the term stationary, a competitor cannot be disqualified by a twitching hamstring, something he or she can't control, but continues to not allow movement by the swimmers once in the starting position," Oakes said.
The committee also adopted four points of emphasis for the upcoming season. The identified topics include starting regulations and protocols, use of referee/starter position when one person is handling both responsibilities, exhibition swims and accommodations for competitors with a disability.
 

SWIM SUIT RULING

It appears FINA is allowing these suits stating, "... to the best of our knowledge, there is no objective scientific evidence on the alleged buoyancy advantage provided by 'SPEEDO LZR Racer', ..." If FINA states there is no evidence to support the buoyancy claim it would be hard for NFHS to make the judgment that this suit violates Rule 3-3-2's prohibition on wearing "aids to speed or buoyancy."

 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 12, 2008) - Four changes in rules regarding penalty options for teams that are fouled on scoring plays were among the 17 revisions in high school football rules approved for the 2008 season by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 19-20 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Rules 2-16-2e and 10-2-4 were revised to state that a team must foul twice during the same down to commit multiple fouls. These changes allow for enforcement of both fouls when the opponent of the scoring team commits a foul on both a touchdown-scoring play and the subsequent try.
An addition to Rule 3-3-4 clarifies issues at the end of the half if there is a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted for unsportsmanlike fouls, non-player fouls, fouls that specify a loss of down and fouls that are enforced on the subsequent kickoff as in Rule 8-2-2.
Changes to Rule 8-2-2 stipulate that fouls by the opponents of the scoring team on the last timed down of the first half can carry over to the second-half kickoff; however, fouls by the opponents of the scoring team on the last timed down of the second half cannot carry over to overtime play.
"By adopting these changes, the rules committee has further clarified that fouls by opponents of the scoring team may be fully enforced," said Brad Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and chairman of the NFHS Football Rules Committee.
In other rules changes, the committee removed the option of carrying over unused second-half time-outs into overtime. The NFHS-recommended overtime procedure continues to provide for one time-out per overtime period with the revisions stipulating that unused time-outs do not carry over to subsequent overtime periods.
A change in Rule 3-5-2a provides the head coach an option of designating another coach for the purpose of requesting time-outs. The appointed replacement shall remain in place for the entire game except in case of emergency.
Six changes were approved by the committee in Rule 1 - The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. References to hip pads, knee pads and thigh guards in Rule 1-5-1 will now state that these required pieces of equipment must not be altered from the manufacturer's original design or production. Also, shinguards, if worn, must meet specifications of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).
"There are concerns that players and coaches are altering mandatory equipment and, therefore, sacrificing safety by changing the original design by the manufacturer to protect the player," said Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee.
In Rule 1-2-3d, the committee altered last year's rule change regarding the use of a 4-inch-wide restraining line around the outside of the field to state that this line can either by solid or broken. The committee recommends a broken line be used and marked by placing 12-inch-long lines separated by 24-inch intervals.
Although the rules allow for use of other colors for field markings when appropriate, the committee clarified that white is the recommended color for all field markings.
In Rule 1-5-2, the committee provided a definition for hand pads and delayed the implementation date for a mandatory securely attached label or stamp on hand pads to 2012. A hand pad is now defined as "a covering for the hand which may have separate openings for each finger and thumb, is absent of any web-like material between the finger and/or thumb, and not covering each finger and thumb."
Other changes approved by the committee:
* In Rule 10-4-6, the basic spot is the 20-yard line for
fouls by either team, in addition to just the team without the ball, which went into effect last year.
* A change in Rule 10-4-7 helps clarify the basic spot on
running plays for fouls by the opponent of the team in possession when the team in possession puts the ball in the end zone and, subsequently, possession is lost.
* New wording was formulated for Rule 4-2-3 regarding the
inadvertent whistle, which makes the choosing of an option an easier process to understand.
* In Rule 9-9-4, the use of an illegal kicking tee will
now be penalized as an unfair act committed by the player.
* Hiding the ball under the jersey will be enforced as a
basic spot foul and makes the enforcement consistent with the all-but-one principle.
In addition, the committee identified five points of emphasis for the 2008 season: MRSA and Communicable Skin Conditions; Purpose of a Football Helmet; Altering Legal Football Equipment; Sideline Management and Control; and False Starts, Shifts and Motion.
In terms of the number of participants, football is the most popular high school sport for boys. According to the 2006-07 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 1,104,548 boys played 11-player football with another 26,000 involved in six-, eight- and nine-player football. In addition, 1,073 girls played high school football in 2006-07.



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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Becky Oakes
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 28, 2008) - Three revisions related to officials are among changes in high school volleyball rules approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee at its January 6-8 meeting in Indianapolis.
The changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
In an effort to reflect current terminology, all references to referee and umpire in the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book will be changed to first referee and second referee, respectively.
"The other major rules codes - the NCAA and USA Volleyball - use this terminology, and officials refer to themselves in this manner as well," said Becky Oakes, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee.
In a similar type of "name" change, the position of "assistant scorer" will now be referred to as "libero tracker." Since the duty of this individual is to track libero replacements and substitutions, the committee determined that this change more easily identifies the position and its responsibilities.
Although the use of flags by line judges is not required in high school volleyball and has been optional, the committee revised Rule
5-8-4 to allow the use of flags on a state association-adoption basis.
"The opportunity to use flags continues," Oakes, "but the use of flags will be determined by the various state high school associations rather than on an individual basis."
A final change in Rule 1-6-2 will allow a team to have more than one captain at the pre-match conference. Previously this conference was conducted with only the head coach and one captain from each team.
"Since many teams have co-captains, the committee believed this change was needed to more accurately reflect what many states already permit," Oakes said.
As it does each year, the Volleyball Rules Committee adopted several points of emphasis for the upcoming season. The six topics identified this year were risk minimization during warm-ups, illegal libero replacement penalties, officials signals and mechanics, fan behavior and respect for the game, communicable disease and skin protection procedures, and libero uniform in contrasting color to teammates' uniforms.
Oakes noted that risk minimization and fan behavior will be particularly stressed.
"During a team warm-up period, all personnel actively conducting the activities should be properly attired for the duties required,"
Oakes said.
"Any type of cheering, yelling or other action that is done in a manner to disconcert, be derogatory or taunting toward the opposing team or a specific player, is considered inappropriate. Cheering and other support should always be positive. Inappropriate behavior, if not addressed, allows a loss of respect for the game and players."
 

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