2007 GHSA

Softball Rules Clinic

GHSA

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

RESPONSIBILITIESOF SCHOOLS

The Host School must have a “Game Manager” on site at all GHSA contests

The “Game Manager” must identify themselves to the contest officials/umpires

The “Game Manager” is responsible to assist in spectator control

The “Game Manager” cannot be a member of the specific sport’s coaching staff

PAYMENT OF CONTEST OFFICIALS

Payment of game fees must be paid within thirty (30) days of the end of the regular season. Failure to do so will result in a 10% late fee being charged.

Game fees are to be charged as they are listed in the GHSA White Book, and cannot be be reduced or increased by schools and/or officiating associations.

PAYMENT OF CONTEST OFFICIALS

The “transfer of cash” for the payment of game fees, in any manner, is NOT permitted at GHSA games/contests.

By arrangement, schools can be invoiced for payment of game fees by the game, week, month, or at the end of the regular season.

Large school systems are to be invoiced through the system’s central billing office.

Travel Pay2007-08 School Year

OFFICIALS – During the regular season schools will pay the following travel fee:

Contests using one(1) official - $15.00 Sports using two (2) officials - $20.00 per crew/per

competition day Sports using three (3) officials - $25.00 per crew/per

competition dayNOTE: Crews assigned to work more than one (1)

game per day will only be paid one (1) travel fee. Example: “double headers”

The respective association will distribute the travel fees in accordance to their policies.

Out of Season CoachingGHSA By-Law 2.69(c)

End of season to the end of school year:1. Only one (1) coach and no more than

two (2) athletes, at any given time, in “skill building activity” only! (Not in competition or team practices)

2. Teams CANNOT participate in camps, clinics, etc.

End of school year to 1st official practice date:

1. No restrictions on number of athletes or nature of the activity. (competition, practices, etc.)

2. MUST be voluntary

3. CANNOT be deemed a “tryout”

4. CANNOT cut athletes based on participation

NOTE: The 2.69 By-law restrictions apply to ALL coaches; (full-time, part-time, community)

Out of Season CoachingGHSA By-Law 2.69(c)

Conditioning Week Effective Immediately; The one week period

prior to the start of official practice, previously called the “conditioning week”, has been eliminated in ALL sports.

Dead Week 2007: June 30 – July 7 NO activities of any kind during this week.

(games, camps, practice, weight training, etc.)

Heat/Hydration Policy

• Every school must have a policy that is signed by the “Head Coach” of the respective sport and distributed to every athlete.

• The policy must have guidelines for modifying or canceling practices.

• A scientifically-approved heat index instrument must be on site at every practice

Physical Exams

• Pre-participation physical exams may be administered by an MD, Osteopath, Physician’s Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner.

• Still must be signed by an MD or Osteopath only.

• Heal history questionnaire must be reviewed.

Eligibility Issues

• Eighth grade students who are retained for academic reasons are not eligible to play on sub-varsity high school teams

• There is no longer any appeal process for students who are affected by the “Age Rule”

Eligibility Issues

• Requests to investigate transfer rule violations must provide valid evidence of a violation and must be filed with the GHSA Office (20) calendar days before the end of the regular season.

• Requests filed after the required date will NOT be resolved until after the playoffs.

WEATHER ISSUES

• Until the time that playing rules give jurisdiction to the umpires, the host management determines if game can be played.

• Games that are interrupted for a cumulative period of 60 minutes shall be terminated.

• This time frame does NOT include time needed to get the field ready for play.

• Umpires may terminate the game after 30 minutes if it is apparent that field is in unplayable condition

LIGHTNING DETECTOR

Part of required game equipment at all outdoor GHSA contests

Operated by Game Manager When alerted, Game Manager notifies head

official Officials may stop game before being notified

by Game Manager Play will be resumed 30 minutes after last

episode of lightning detected.

POSSIBLE RESULTS OF TERMINATED GAMES

• NO CONTEST

• COMPLETE GAME

• SUSPENDED GAME

“NO CONTEST”

• If game is terminated before the team that is behind has completed 5 turns at bat

• Not legal game, so no winner can be determined

• Any replay of the game will begin from the first pitch

• In baseball, the pitchers’ innings count

“COMPLETE GAME”

• If game is terminated and the team that is behind has had at least five full turns at bat

• And if the score is computed at the end of the last full inning (unless home team gained lead in the last half-inning)

• A winner can be determined and the game is over

“SUSPENDED GAME”

• If the visiting team has had at least five full turns at bat

• And the score is tied after the last full inning of play

• Or if the home team tied up the game in the half-inning in which game is terminated

• Game will be replayed from the point of interruption

GHSA BY-LAW 2.93

• Contains specifics about weather delays

• Including the payment of officials

• If the first game of a doubleheader is terminated, so is the second game

Slow Pitch Softball

• No longer a “State Championship” sport

* Has dropped to (14) competing schools

* Have been aligned in (2) seven team areas

* May have an end of season “GHSA Invitational Tournament” to be played in the metro Atlanta Area.

Pre-Season Scrimmage

• One (1) pre-season scrimmage now allowed

1. Can be played any time after the 1st official day of practice and the beginning of the regular season.

2. Opposing varsity teams only who have not played their 1st regular season game.

3. Must use registered GHSA umpires

2007 Sectional SitesOctober 19 & 20

• A-South Southern Pines, Dublin• A-North Alto Park, Rome• AA-South Paulson Complex, Savannah• AA-North Alto Park, Rome• AAA-South Southern Pines, Dublin• AAA-North Lanier Pointe, Gainesville• AAAA-South Lovejoy Regional, Hampton• AAAA-North Twin Creeks, Woodstock• AAAAA-South Lovejoy Regional, Hampton• AAAAA-North Central Park, Cumming

Official’s Pass•Individuals who are members of the GAOA (Georgia Athletic Officials Association) will be issued an ID card that can be used as a pass at all GHSA sanctioned events.

•The ID card can only be used by the bearer of the card (name on the card) and will require a photo ID for proof of identity.

•Individuals guilty of abuse of the ID card will face penalties by the GHSA Office and GAOA.

•For GAOA membership information contact Alan Smith at smithwas@hotmail.com or go to the website at gaathleticofficials.org

Miscellaneous

• Passes for Community Coaches- Each school must submit a list of coaches to the GHSA Office- No coaching, or passes issued, until the courses are completed

• When competing out-of-state:– Play according to the game rules of that state– Must follow GHSA policy concerning ejections, playing

times, etc.

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

RULES CHANGES

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

• Clearly defines responsibility for contact when fielder does not initially control a batted ball

• Creates balance between offense and defense

• Puts contact into category of obstruction or interference, not “just a CRASH”

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

• Fielder must have opportunity to make an initial play

• After an initial play attempt on a fair ground ball, fielder no longer protected

• After attempting an initial play – fielder not permitted to obstruct advancement of runner

INTERFERENCE/ OBSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

(2-36; 2-47-2,3; 8-4-3b; 8-6-10a)

Initial Play – • Reasonable chance to catch or gain control of a

ground ball that no other fielder (except the pitcher) has touched, OR

• Reasonable chance to catch the ball in flight after it touches another fielder, OR

• Fails to gain control of the batted ground ball and is within a step and a reach (in any direction) of the spot of the initial play

INTENTIONALLY REMOVING LINES PENALTY EXPANDED

(3-6-17 PENALTY)

• Penalty expanded to include restricting any subsequent offender, not just head coach

• Second and all subsequent offenses:– Strike/ball on batter– Offender and head coach restricted to dugout

• Change makes penalty consistent with others of a similar nature

DOUBLE FIRST BASE RULES EXPANDED (8-10)

• More states using double first base units

• Base running section expanded for clarity and understanding:– When the BR must use

– Penalties for noncompliance

– When the runner/fielder has choice between the two bases

DOUBLE FIRST BASE RULES EXPANDED

(1-2-1 NOTE)

• Specifications for the double first base unit also revised:– A one- or two-piece unit permitted

– Portion in foul territory required to be a color other than white

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

EDITORIAL CHANGES

CATCH DEFINITION CLARIFIED (2-9-5f)

• Change was made to clarify:– Trap = Ball touching ground, fielder

NOT in control

– Catch = Ball touching ground, fielder IN control

“CONFINES OF THE FIELD” DEFINED (2-15)

• Used to determine when umpire jurisdiction begins (10-1-2) – Upon arrival within “confines of the field”

• Term was not previously defined

• Important in determining responsibilities of umpiring crew

“CONFINES OF THE FIELD” DEFINED (2-15)

• “Confines of the field” includes:– Field of play

– Designated dugout/bench areas

– Any enclosed or clearly marked warm-up areas adjacent to the field and in view of the umpire(s)

MALICIOUS CONTACT PENALTY CLARIFIED (3-6-18)

• Malicious contact typically only thought of as committed by a runner

• Penalty now includes enforcement when infraction is by a fielder– Immediate dead ball, offender is out and

ejected

RUNNING LANE CLARIFIED(8-2-5)

• Language added for clarification

• Consistent with other rules regarding being “in” or “out” of a space

• Runner is outside running lane when:– Either foot is completely outside the lane

and in contact with the ground

INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE

(8-6-10d)

• Clarifies that any intentional interference will result in an out

• Previous rule only addressed interfering with a thrown ball

• New language includes intentionally interfering with a fielder in any way

2007 NFHS SOFTBALL

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

BATTER DELAYS

• Pace of a game enhanced when 20-second rule enforced (7-3-1). The batter has 20 seconds to take her place in the batter’s box.

• Batter must be ready to step into batter’s box and take turn at bat.

• Coaches must be concise in giving signals.

• The penalty for noncompliance is a “strike” being called on the batter.

BATTER DELAYSOnce in the batter’s box:• Batter may request “time”, but only granted for valid

reason• The pitcher is entitled to deliver the pitch• Putting hand up toward umpire does not guarantee time

will be granted. If the batter’s hand is up, but time has not been granted, the umpire directs the pitcher to deliver the pitch.

• Stepping in and out of the box when the pitcher is ready is subject to a “strike” being called (Rule: 3-6-9)

• Requesting time to perform rituals should not be permitted

TEAM HUDDLES(Reminder)

Teams are NOT allowed to huddle in front of or outside dugouts after the end of a half inning.

Rationale: minimizes risks to participantskeeps pace of game moving

*One (1) minute between innings*Twenty (20) seconds to pitch

PENALTY: Coach restricted to the dugout if he/she ignores the umpires warning.

OBSTRUCTION Obstruction requires a “clear” defensive infraction Required condition for obstruction:

*A defensive player cannot block the runner’s access to a base/base path without possession of the ball

*The runner must be hindered or impeded

Note: If the defensive player is blocking the base without the ball and the runner has not yet been impeded, there is NO obstruction

OBSTRUCTION• Obstruction, especially at first base still concerns

committee • Umpires ignoring and/or not properly signaling. It is

NOT a wasted signal.• Belief that signal is not necessary if base runner

already obtained base she would have reached had there been no obstruction.

• It is important to communicate the infraction so teams do not continue to commit the same infraction.

• Use the signal and make the call!

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION• Head coaches required to attend pregame meeting with

umpires. • Must verify players legally equipped and

players/equipment in compliance with NFHS rules• Umpires must still conduct pregame inspection of

team’s equipment 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.

• If teams play more than one game in the same day and the equipment leaves the dugout, the umpires must check the equipment again prior to the start of the next game.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

• Inspection includes:– bats, batting helmets and catcher’s gear

• Teams should have all equipment displayed and available for inspection 15 minutes prior to start of game

• When teams play more than one game in the same day, and leave the dugout with their equipment, umpires must check their equipment again prior to the start of their next game.

2007 GHSA SOFTBALL

QUESTIONS?